[NTLUG:Discuss] Laptop choices

[Sean Pohl]

On Tue, Nov 18, 2014 at 11:28:58AM -0600, Leroy Tennison wrote:
> I worked with a bunch of PC techs. until recently and asked the more general
> "what laptop should I buy" question.  The information they provided was
> enlightening to say the least and I thought I'd pass it along.
> 
> 1. Every brand has their bad units and the only way to tell is by
>    experience.  This isn't good news, about the only defense is to pick
>    a model which has a little history and ask around. Although your
>    question wasn't directly about quality, that's basically what you're
>    already doing.
> 2. Get a business model.  For example, Dell has it's Inspiron (home)
>    and Latitude (business) lines.  HP has it's Pavilion (home) and
>    Elitebook (business) lines.  I suspect the same is true of the other
>    manufacturers (if someone knows which lines are which for other
>    manufacturers I'd like to know).  The home models tend to have one
>    year warranties, the business units three years.  Finding the
>    business units will likely be a little more of a challenge -
>    Walmart, etc. probably doesn't carry them.
> 3. Get one with an Intel CPU.  The rationale is that AMD tends to be a
>    little cheaper which makes it the choice for "value" units.  The
>    problem with those units isn't the CPU, it's the other components
>    chosen to go with it which are also cheaper.
> 
> Concerning one for Linux, in addition to getting group input, I would
> suggest you also do a web search for Linux Laptop.  I just did and saw a
> couple of hits on the first page which looked interesting.
> >I need to get a new laptop. Any suggestions on current models that are
> >fully compatible with Ubuntu and derivatives?
> >
> >I'd like to get one with Win 7 and dual boot since I still have a couple
> >of M$ only applications. I will be doing some non-linear video editing so
> >it needs to be powerful enough for that. But I am also on a tight budget.
> >
> >Any suggestions are appreciated.
> >Bobby
> >
> >_______________________________________________
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> >
> 
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You may want to look at system76.com.  They specialize ONLY in Linux laptops,
desktops, and servers.  They have phone support for Ubuntu and I think I read
once that they also have drivers for Windows should you want to put it on there.
Their boxes do not come with Windows, so you will have to bring your own
licence.

ZaReason.com is also well known for their Linux support.

Outside of that, if you have a membership to Costco I have found some fairly
well priced machines there from time to time and they have a pretty good return
policy.  If you research and purchase on their website and decide you don't want
it, you can take it their brick and mortar store for return.

Hope that helps.

Sean