Looking 4 Linux compatible Notebook with max 12" screen ?

English Hardware
#1

My wife is considering purchasing a new laptop, and she has proposed to me 3 different laptops that she wishes me to look at, giving me a chance to state a preference for Linux (openSUSE) compatibility, although that compatibility is not a requirement of hers.

Hence my questions are:

  • Is anyone familiar with running any of these laptops under Linux ? And
  • Does anyone know of a similar laptop that meets her requirements (below) that also runs under Linux ?

Her requirements are:

  • small screen, up to 12” maximum
  • CPU > 4 GHz (which I equate to being at least a dual core)
  • Possible Operating System : Windows XP Pro, although she will consider Windows 7 [and she wants me to check for Linux compatibility]. I seriously doubt she will find much in terms of Windows XP compatibility.
  • standard laptop features: Wireless, Wired ethernet connection,
    Exceptionally long battery life is not a requirement.
    She did not list a CD/DVD drive as a requirement, but I note each laptop on her list has one. Verbally she told me she wants a small laptop (12" screen max) with a very fast CPU.

The laptops on her short list currently are:

Thats close to the sum of my research. From what I can learn, both the Acer-6293 and the Fujitsu Esprimo U9210 should work with no problems in most areas (except UMTS may not work with Linux), … but the HP Touchsmart TX2-1310 could be more of challenge due to its Broadcom wireless and its advanced touchscreen tablet.

#2

I can give you a choice of laptops from an article in the german magazine CT’ (20) I have on my desk. They did test a couple notebooks shipped with Linux. So you can assume that they are all fully Linux compatible:

  • Acer Extenza 5635Z
  • ASUS PL30J
  • ASUS 450AF
  • Tuxedo Book Two
  • Dell Inspiron 15R
  • HP 625 (with SLED + 2 months free updates)

If you have a specific question about one of those, I can look in the article and translate the interesting part for you (although any german would do it better, as I am neither a german nor an english native speaker - and I assume that every German people reads the CT’ :wink: )

#3

Thanks, I’ll pass that to my wife.

I don’t speak German, although I can stumble my way through German PC specifications.

My Thai wife DOES speak German and so it might be of major interest to her, although I do note the screen on most of those laptops is too large (at 15.5" to 15.6" … ie Acer Extenza 5635Z - 15.5" (too large), ASUS 450AF - 15.6" (too large), Dell Inspiron 15R - 15.6" (too large), HP 625 - 15.6" (too large)). I note the ASUS PL30J is fast with a core i5 but its 13.3" is still too large for my wife. I could not find the Tuxedo Book Two.

My wife bicycles back/forth to work every day, and she wants to carry her laptop back and forth to work. We also carry one laptop (my Dell Studio 1537 with a 15.5" display) on vacation with us. Last vacation my wife also took her old Fujitsu-Siemens Amilo 7400M (so that we had 2 laptops on vacation) and she liked not having to share a laptop so much, she wants to have a smaller laptop to take also on vacation (in addition to our Dell - the old Fujitsu’s 14.5" display is too big for my wife to want to carry such a laptop).

Hence I think that is what is driving the small laptop display requirement. ie

  • very small so its not an irritant when carrying back/forth to work every day (via bicycle), and
    *]2nd laptop when on vacation
#4

I should add, she also stated a maximum of 1,000 euros as a requirement.

I did not think that important, until I noted there are some 12.1" Core i5 laptops well over that budget, such as the Lenovo IBM ThinkPad X201 Tablet, Core i5-520UM 1.06GHz, 4096MB, 320GB, UMTS, 12.1" which is close to 1,900 euros !

#5

Way too large : 17.3’’ :frowning:

#6

oldcpu wrote:

>
> My wife is considering purchasing a new laptop, and she has proposed to
> me 3 different laptops that she wishes me to look at, giving me a chance
> to state a preference for Linux (openSUSE) compatibility, although that
> compatibility is not a requirement of hers.
>
> Hence my questions are:
> - Is anyone familiar with running any of these laptops under Linux ?
> And
> - Does anyone know of a similar laptop that meets her requirements
> (below) that also runs under Linux ?
>
> Her requirements are:
> - small screen, up to 12” maximum
> - CPU > 4 GHz (which I equate to being at least a dual core)
> - Possible Operating System : Windows XP Pro, although she will
> consider Windows 7 [and she wants me to check for Linux
> compatibility]. I seriously doubt she will find much in terms of
> Windows XP compatibility.
> - standard laptop features: Wireless, Wired ethernet connection,
> Exceptionally long battery life is not a requirement. She did not list a
> CD/DVD drive as a requirement, but I note each
> laptop on her list has one. Verbally she told me she wants a small
> laptop (12" screen max) with a very fast CPU.
>
> The laptops on her short list currently are:
> - ‘Acer Travel Mate 6293’
> (http://tinyurl.com/2aekpxq) (she is considering a ‘mail order
> purchase’ (http://geizhals.at/eu/a482643.html)). A ‘linlap page
> suggests Linx compatibility’
> (http://www.linlap.com/wiki/acer+travelmate+6293). I note graphics
> are the Intel GMA 4500MHD and wireless the Intel Wireless WiFi Link
> 5300AGN (which works well on my Dell Studio 1537 with openSUSE-11.3,
> although I note some forum users struggling with there PC’s
> implementation of this 5300AGN wireless hardware).
> .
> - ‘HP Touchsmart tx2-1310eg’
> (http://tinyurl.com/2c575ao), (she is considering a ‘mail order
> purchase’ (http://geizhals.at/eu/a476670.html)). I note Radeon HD3200
> graphics and WXGA 1200x800 graphics tablet. Screen rotates to being a
> touch display. I note a
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4Wm3U8kJ5E]Youtube video of a
> Ubuntu-9.10 install with the touch screen working. There was an old
> ‘openSUSE sdb tutorial’ (http://tinyurl.com/2fjcvuk) for the TX2 touch
> screen (which has not been maintained).
> .
> Wireless: The spec does not mention a wireless, but the site she is
> looking to buy from mentions a WLAN 802.11a/b/g/n wireless. Website
> ‘linlap only reference the 1200 series’
> (http://www.lapspecs.com/wiki/hp+touchsmart+tx2-1200+series)which I
> assume is similar and that site suggests a bcm4322 802.11a/b/g/n
> wireless. The ‘broadcom site’
> (http://linuxwireless.org/en/users/Drivers/b43) suggests the BCM4322
> is not supported by a “free” driver (as those device have
> unsupported N-PHYs, which is purportedly being working on). Yet a
> ‘Debian wiki’ (http://wiki.debian.org/wl) suggests a version of the
> BCM4322 may be supported by a non-free driver. I note this ‘Packman
> packaged broadcom driver’
> (http://packman.links2linux.de/package/broadcom-wl) which I believe
> supports the BCM4322.
> .
> - ‘Fujitsu Esprimo Mobile U9210 Core 2 Duo’
> (http://ts.fujitsu.com/products/mobile/notebooks/esprimo_mobile_u.html)
> , with more information in a pdf data sheet ‘here’
> (https://globalsp.ts.fujitsu.com/dmsp/docs/ds-esprimo-mobile-u9210.pdf)
> (she is considering a ‘mail order purchase’
> (http://geizhals.at/eu/a476318.html)). I note in ‘linlap’
> (http://www.linlap.com/wiki/fujitsu+esprimo+u9210) that this laptop
> appears to be supported running well with Ubuntu-9.10. Graphics are
> the Intel GMA 4500MHD. Wireless may be the Intel Wi-Fi Link 5300
> (which works well on my Dell Studio 1537 with openSUSE-11.3, although
> I note some forum users struggling with there PC’s implementation of
> this 5300AGN wireless hardware). This laptop also has 3G, and I have
> not found any reference to a Linux user successfully using this
> capability in the laptop (‘linlap’
> (http://www.linlap.com/wiki/fujitsu+esprimo+u9210) has it not working
> in Linux - although that may not be definite, but its not
> encouraging).
>
> Thats close to the sum of my research. From what I can learn, both the
> Acer-6293 and the Fujitsu Esprimo U9210 should work with no problems in
> most areas (except UMTS may not work with Linux), … but the HP
> Touchsmart TX2-1310 could be more of challenge due to its Broadcom
> wireless and its advanced touchscreen tablet.

My current laptop, and my favorite (to an extent) is the HP EliteBook 2530p.
Now… that was a very HIGH priced notebook (due to its size). What’s nice
about it is that it has everything (EXCEPT a very high res screen).

Mine is currently running oS 11.1. I could care less about Windows… but
obviously it came with some sort of Vista installed on it.

There is a newer model with a core i* in it… but I’d avoid it if you want
the best Linux experience. So… my best advice is find a 2530p while they
are still in the channel. They’re actually getting pretty cheap. With some
hunting, I bought mine new (back when they were relatively new) for about
$1600USD. This laptop is a powerhouse, runs a bit hot though… but
supports 8G of memory, has full size DVD/CD, webcam… just about everything
you’d want (no HDMI out though). It CAN drive a high res display (e.g.
1920x1200). Mine has 4G and the SL9600 2.13Ghz dual core processor.

If you check the HP refurb page… I see there’s a 2530p with the 128G SSD
for less than $1K USD. That’s a pretty good deal (for an HP deal). Go with
hard drive for only about $700 USD… again, I think I’d buy two at that
price.

So there… I said it… I did the HCL record on the openSUSE site for it.

Apart from the low res display, I have been VERY pleased with this laptop.

#7

Thanks for the recommendation. The HP EliteBook 2530p does appear to meet my wife’s requirements. Finding it here at a good price in Europe could be tricky. For example I went to our local website that searches European on-line PC shops for the best price, getting this ‘hit’ : HP EliteBook 2530p, Core 2 Duo SL9400 1.86GHz, 2048MB, 120GB, DVD at Geizhals.at EU with the cheapest price being 1,222 euros, which is around $1700 US at today’s exchange rates. Thats not too surprising, as typically we pay a lot more for PC hardware in Europe than what is seen in the USA.

I’ll pass this on to my wife, but I suspect it is possible the higher price will be a stumbling block for her.

#8

oldcpu wrote:

>
> cjcox;2231963 Wrote:
>> My current laptop, and my favorite (to an extent) is the HP EliteBook
>> 2530p.
>> Now… that was a very HIGH priced notebook (due to its size). What’s
>> nice
>> about it is that it has everything (EXCEPT a very high res screen).
> Thanks for the recommendation. The HP EliteBook 2530p does appear to
> meet my wife’s requirements. Finding it here at a good price in Europe
> could be tricky. For example I went to our local website that searches
> European on-line PC shops for the best price, getting this ‘hit’ : ‘HP
> EliteBook 2530p, Core 2 Duo SL9400 1.86GHz, 2048MB, 120GB, DVD at
> Geizhals.at EU’ (http://geizhals.at/eu/a365946.html) with the cheapest
> price being 1,222 euros, which is around $1700 US at today’s exchange
> rates. Thats not too surprising, as typically we pay a lot more for PC
> hardware in Europe than what is seen in the USA.
>
> I’ll pass this on to my wife, but I suspect it is possible the higher
> price will be a stumbling block for her.

I guess no UK refurb outlet? But HP typically resells through distributors.
Maybe you can get a good deal through one of them? Even at $1700USD, it’s
quite a laptop (but I do understand your budget).

Maybe your luggage will be slightly heavier returning from a USA vacation?

#9

We need to research this, as I’m not up to speed as to what may be available in this regard.

lol. There are no vacations nor business trips planned to the USA for some time (probably a year or more … ) . Plus after one adds local tax, and then European tax, the savings one gets are sometimes erased, … although it is worth while doing the numbers to confirm.

#10

oldcpu wrote:

>
> cjcox;2232610 Wrote:
>> I guess no UK refurb outlet? But HP typically resells through
>> distributors. Maybe you can get a good deal through one of them? Even
>> at $1700USD, it’s quite a laptop (but I do understand your budget).We
>> need to research this, as I’m not up to speed as to what may be
> available in this regard.
>
> cjcox;2232610 Wrote:
>> Maybe your luggage will be slightly heavier returning from a USA
>> vacation?lol. There are no vacations nor business trips planned to the
>> USA for
> some time (probably a year or more … ) . Plus after one adds local
> tax, and then European tax, the savings one gets are sometimes erased,
> … although it is worth while doing the numbers to confirm.

Oh… you’re talking about bringing it in legally… ok then… :slight_smile:

#11

lol ! …

I’m too old to risk run in’s with the authorities. The clock is ticking on my time left, … so I am now a ‘strictly by the book’ player.

#12

I found reference to a UK outlet here: HP COMPAQ LIST

However we are in Germany, and that implies another layer of tax (plus shipping) to ship from UK to Germany. I need to try and find a German refurb outlet, and then check to see if my wife is agreeable to the concept of buying something that is not completely new.

#13

Here’s one from a different angle:

Most people want a fast CPU, like your wife. The thing they really want is speed. Which often the CPU cannot deliver, due to other parts being too slow. On most of the netbooks I see gigantic harddisks, most of them at 5400 rpm. Last week I removed the 320GB hdd from a HP Compaq mini, with Atom CPU, which already ran openSUSE 11.3, and replaced it by a 128GB SSD. Added 1 GB extra RAM. Done in 5 minutes. Installed from KDE-Reloaded iso, which included the needed broadcom driver…:slight_smile: Total price for netbook+ssd+RAM under € 600. The owner is completely wild about it. The increased speed due to the switch from hdd to ssd is incredible.

#14

Further to this, my wife made it abundently clear to me (while we were chatting at lunch today) that she plans to use this laptop for work at the office, and hence it will be claimed as an expense on our taxes, and thus its best that all expenses are legal and preferably a purchase in Germany (although that does mess up things wrt having German MS-Windows and a German keyboard, where my wife prefers English MS-Windows and an English keyboard).

#15

Thats interesting … I suggested that to my wife on the weekend, but I had no handle on the cost.

I confess I anticipated a 120GB SSD would put the cost well over 1000 euros. netbook+ssd+RAM under € 600 is a surprise to me. I guess I need to research this some more.

I assume no Linux problems with an SSD as a ‘hard drive’ replacement.

#16

oldcpu wrote:

>
> cjcox;2232733 Wrote:
>> Oh… you’re talking about bringing it in legally… ok then… :slight_smile:
> lol ! …
>
> I’m too old to risk run in’s with the authorities. The clock is
> ticking on my time left, … so I am now a ‘strictly by the book’
> player.

Yes… just want you to know I sympathize with your plight. Very sad…
still, it’s (HP EB 2530p) probably the smallest and most powerful notebook
I’ve found with built-in DVD. Hope you find something you like. I’m not
the only Linux aficionado with one of those

With regards to netbooks, some have mentioned those… while some people
debate my own experience claims (most saying that I’m too optimistic), I
know that at least with regards to Linux on netbooks that the performance of
most of them is about the same as an old Pentium-M 1.4Ghz to 1.6Ghz
processor. Not the stuff of multiple VM’s, but a livable environment.

#17

I have a HP DM3-1140US… with 11.3 everything works out of the box. 13.3" display, VERY LIGHT, fast enough for me, easy on the eyes, 4gig ram, 320gig hd… look it up for more specs.