i am a new linux convert , completely ditched windows and mac os and have been using ubuntu for sometime thanks to (igknighted)
i tend to like opensuse more, i think it is more stable and polished and specially that KDE 3.5 is still there.
unfortunately i am not able to use it because my laptop has the doomed Intel x4500 graphics card, i was wondering if there has been any fixes to this card with opensuse as there is now with ubuntu.
desperately looking forward to your replies.
Not yet, as far as I’m aware. I’m going to point you in the direction of these threads:
Any success with Intel Graphics 4500 MHD ? - Notebook Forums and Laptop Discussion
Toshiba Portégé M800-10C doesn’t seem to like linux :’( - Page 9 - openSUSE Forums
In theory, it looks like it could be possible to upgrade xorg drivers, but it is not a simple task for new or intermediate users. You may just have to settle with using vesa driver for now, and wait for the next opensuse version.
try sax2 -r -m 0=vesa
and it will need install vesa xserver
I have a t400 with x4500 and Opensuse 11.1 worked okay. Resume from sleep flakes out sometimes but hibernation is reliable. Haven’t yet tried the processor concurrency fix posted on the Ubuntu forums.
The remaining problem for both distros-a major one in my opinion-is with vsync. I believe this affects most intel integrated graphics. Basically, you can’t watch a video or drag a window on intrepid or opensuse 11.1 without tearing, and glxgears fps is essentially cut in half with the new drivers. Moreover, if anything, the gma 4500 cards have worse performance, not better as they do with proper support in Windows.
Because so many laptops come with intel integrated graphics, solving this set of problems should be high on the priorities list. Add to that battery life, which tends to be better or much better (e.g. 4 hours instead of 2.5) under Windows XP and Windows 7 beta. Powertop can help, but not greatly. Besides, in order to retain users, a fresh install of Ubuntu or Opensuse really should have decent battery performance to begin with.
In the thread linked above by @deano, a user simply copied the intel driver over from Ubuntu and it worked. The reason for the difference in the driver is ref’d in the link I posted just below that. Might be worth a try.