Ten days ago I posted a request for recommendations on buying a ThinkPad Edge. No responses so I’ll try asking a different question and hope for some feedback from the list.
I can get the Edge with either AMD or Intel processors as described below. I will be using this computer for travel to lecture using Open Office Impress (with lots of embedded videos in the presentations), and for e-mail and web-surfing while on the road. At home this lappy will not be used unless I have a catastrophic problem with my desktop computer.
So with Open Office Impress as my primary use for the laptop, I would appreciate your thoughts on which of these brands will serve me best – AMD or Intel (or does it make any difference)? And within each manufacturer, what will I gain by upgrading from the base processor?
AMD options:
Base processor is Turion II X2 Dual Core P340.
For an additional $40 I can upgrade to P540.
The Lenovo website does not give any more information that this on the AMD processor specs.
Intel options:
For an additional $100 over the base AMD P340 processor I can get an Intel Core i3-370M (2.40 Ghz, 3MB L3, 1066 Mhz FSB).
For another $95 (total $195) I can upgrade to an i5-560M (2.66 Ghz, 3MB L3).
So, AMD or Intel, or does it make no difference given my planned use of the ThinkPad?
And is it worthwhile upgrading the processor from either the AMD or Intel base models?
I heard that the P540s have a great battery life advantage among the Turion AMD proc models. So might be worth upgrading from that perspective if you go for an AMD. You mention that you are doing embedded video and web browsing, given the huge CPU price delta that you are considering, might be worth your while to explore discrete mobile graphic card options to balance out the compute load (i.e. CPU + GPU).
Hi
I would go for the intel one, however not sure about the 3D support on
the intel card (but for your needs you shouldn’t need it). Looks like
the wireless is Broadcom. Get the smallest drive and then replace it
with a SSD?
Others may have thoughts on the gfx card though (I’m not a ATI fan )
Why not look at a version with SLED installed, then at least you will
be sure it’s going to work with linux?
Absolutely impossible to get a ThinkPad with Linux installed – at least here in the US when buying directly from Lenovo. I have asked more than once, and their sales department insists it’s Windoze 7 only. Thus my other post on November 7th (Looking for your recommendations on Thinkpad Edge 14") asking for help/suggestions specifically as to SuSE compatibility.
If you can hazard a few guesses on the following issues that would be great. In any case I will definitely call Lenovo customer service and direct them to that page. Let’s hope I get a better answer than “NO LINUX! WINDOZE ONLY!”
Regarding the ThinkPad Edge 14" information on your cited page, I note that the listed processor is an AMD Phenom™ II X3 P820. That processor apparently is not an option here in the US, but an AMD Phenom II X3 Triple-Core P840 is. Would you think this is a typo, or is this page talking about a processor I may not be able to get here in the US?
Do you think this SuSE-compatible setup would likely work with the other AMD processors I can get here (P340 and P540)?
In your opinion does this page indicate that the ThinkPad Edge is available directly from Lenovo preloaded with SLED, and it works out of the box? Or does the page seem to say that the lappy will work with SLED, but the user must install it and then also must do some “tweaking” by adding various drivers? As a note, I have never used SLED. I am now using SuSE 11.1 with KDE3.
I am concerned about drivers described under the “Config Notes” heading. It indicates that these drivers must be installed after SLED (which causes me to think even more that this lappy does not come with SLED preinstalled by Lenovo).
The driver for the ATI graphics supposedly is available at this URL: <http://www2.ati.com/suse/sle11sp1> But putting that into a browser gets you only a dead page. :o(
So that really has me concerned. Installing the OS is one thing. Chasing drivers when you don’t know what to look for is quite another.
I guess my confusion in all this really centers on whether this page tells me SLED will work with the Edge (after some significant tweaking), or if I can buy the lappy directly from Lenovo with SuSE preinstalled.
Hi
That it’s certified to work, but not sure if it can come pre-install,
but I can ask my Novell contacts if you want. HP sell systems with SLED
though…
The sle11sp1 is a repository and not browseable. The current ATI driver
in there is 8.723-1.
The only one will be wireless which will probably require the non free
driver, but shouldn’t be too hard to sort out, esp with Mr Larry Finger
here
Whilst it’s certified for SLED, then you can be sure it will work
with openSUSE is more the issue.
I think a call to see if you can get those models here in the US, else
cruise over to HP?
That would be great. Thanks for asking at Novell and letting me know.
Oh, did not realize this. So it’s like using Packman with SuSE 11.1?
Sorry, but I don’t understand the first part of the sentence. “The only one will be wireless” (??) “…will probably require the non free driver…” (??) Could you explain? And who is Mr. Larry Finger? An inside joke?
Just so I’m clear on this, are you saying that if it works with SLED it will work with SuSE, or are you saying that while it will work with SLED it’s still a question whether it will work with SuSE?
Yes, I will call Lenovo once I hear back from you on the call to the Novell folks. I really have this “thing” for ThinkPads. Last one was loaded with OS/2 and I really liked that lappy. But, obviously, it’s been a few years.
Yes, it’s the same, and in fact packman now have a SLED 11 SP1
repository
Larry Finger hangs out in the wireless forum, he is one of the kernel
wireless developers and has done lots of work on the broadcom driver(s),
which is probably what will be needed, just look/follow the wireless
subforum stickies
I meant that if it works with SLED there is a very good probability it
will work fine with openSUSE, nothing is ever sure… Of course that’s
dependent on getting one of the listed models they have tested.
If you want reliability the ibm is a good choice it is a durable travel laptop, as far as processor goes they both have advantages and disadvantages and are about equal with each other. graphics is a choice as well i have both ATI and NVIDIA and the ATI is a more intense card depending on your needs. if you are going to use for presentations and open office, and you are not gaming a lot then i would stay with the one that will save a few coins unless you are working with games and intense graphics these higher cpu’s are a waste of money, and linux does not require a high demanding system i have 11.2 32 bit running on a gateway solo 1200 and it is fast and works great that is the nice thing about SUSE.
In my opinion AMD processors are better than intel. AMD processors have very good speed and temperatures. I don’t like Intel because Intel cooperate with Microsoft and Windows are built in Intel Processors and Chipset. I don’t like this monopoly.
Thanks for the link. Interesting that it appears to be a Lenovo-sponsored website. Unfortunately, the 15% discount coupon shown for the Edge 14" (USPTHINK999) doesn’t work. It will only apply to systems costing in excess of $999 – not going to happen for an Edge unless you load it up with lots of accessories.
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