BlazingGeek

I wasn't sure if i should post this under linux or laptops. I have been thinking about getting a dell laptop with Ubuntu pre-installed (due to my nearly non-existent success at installing it on computers myself). Unfortunately I cant seem to find them being sold anywhere but the dell website. This makes it supremely difficult to find any actual user reviews. A quick Google search merely revealed generic "dell sucks" comments from people who don't have them. So if anyone here can point me to a site with user reviews for it please do. Or if anyone here actually owns one your input would be much appreciated.

TheMatt

You can always get Linux on another laptop, but so far I have noticed that Dell Linux support has been very good, so you will have the least issues by going that route.

The most difficulties you will have are getting Software to hardware compatibility. Many features, especially ACPI power features, are under development, and often finding a video driver and getting wireless and audio support.

Honestly, the Dell with Ubuntu is actually a good deal, the only drawback is that in some cases it is actually more expensive than getting a Vista machine. It is worth it though, because the 6.06 release is much more stable than Vista will be even after SP1 (my prediction), and the stability will be better than installing a distro on another laptop aftermarket because Dell has released the specs of its laptop to Ubuntu.

Just be sure to try and get 6.06 or 6.10. 7.04 still had some bugs when I last used it.

BlazingGeek

Thanks for the reply. Frankly I trust the people on this forum much MUCH more than I trust Dell. As far as Vista goes... if i got that I might as well get a Mac *shudders*. I have tried installing linux on my desktop machine to no avail (linux works but wifi does not) so having it preistalled really solves alot of problems where that is concerned. Well thanks again for your input


p.s. VISTA SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

TheMatt

You're welcome.

marco916

I've installed Ubuntu Ver 6 (Gnome) flavor on some older Dell's with some minor issues, Dell C400, D400, D410, D600, the only thing you have to look out for is doing wireless with some of the newer wireless cards, luckily I had some older Cisco 802.11b PCMICA cards that Ubuntu ver 6 seems to work with or picks up. I think the newest version of Ubuntu ver 7 seems to have better wireless support. I even installed the Xubuntu, a lighter version of Ubuntu on some Dell laptops with some minor issues like wireless again. I think if you poke around on the Linux support, you will find all sorts of info on Ubuntu on Dell laptops, also check the forum support on Dell's website.

TheMatt

With wireless ndiswrapper will usually do the trick, the problem with 7.04 is that it is still a little buggy, but 6.06 is rock solid and even 6.10 is very stable.