What laptops NOT to buy!
Posted: 14 Jan 2012, 15:24
Since Linux pretty much works all over the place it is easier to exclude the puny products that do not support Linux.
Surprisingly enough Nvidia is on the top of the list even if they have a long and proud history of supporting Linux.
So let me point out that this is for a certain range of Nvidia products ONLY!
And that range is; all laptops marked:
This technology lets the Computer switch between an Intel Chip and the Nvidia card to save battery power - IN WINDOWS ONLY!
You will get it to work with Linux but only with the very weak Intel chip, resulting in Gnome3 to go into fallback mode etc. The forece full Nvidia card will simply be a piece of garbage in your box.
This can be made to work by Installing the Bumblebee or the Ironhide script, so it is no total disaster, but even then, there will be no auto switching like in Windows - you have to do it manually.
Until Nvidia provides drivers for Linux or contribute to a sollution; it is best NOT to buy any of the Optimus products.
Example of products that use Optimus technology are:
Asus U30Jc
Alienware M17x
And many others.
It will not be hard to avoid it since they are very proud of Optimus so it will be heavily marketed. If it does not say Optimus - it probably isn't.
This does not only concern Linux users but all Windows users who want their box to stay flexible and have the possibility to install other OS's on it.
Example:
I am currently helping out a new Linux user in another forum that successfully had installed Ubuntu 11.10 on his Optimus laptop.
He said the he had the Nvidia Optimus card and wanted help to download drivers for it since Gnome3 went into Fallback mode.
This is a Windows user who discovered the lack of flexibility in a Laptop, he thought was the best available, a bit too late
PS:
Do feel free to list other Optimus laps that you know of below. I am sure potential future Linux users will appreciate it.
Surprisingly enough Nvidia is on the top of the list even if they have a long and proud history of supporting Linux.
So let me point out that this is for a certain range of Nvidia products ONLY!
And that range is; all laptops marked:
This technology lets the Computer switch between an Intel Chip and the Nvidia card to save battery power - IN WINDOWS ONLY!
You will get it to work with Linux but only with the very weak Intel chip, resulting in Gnome3 to go into fallback mode etc. The forece full Nvidia card will simply be a piece of garbage in your box.
This can be made to work by Installing the Bumblebee or the Ironhide script, so it is no total disaster, but even then, there will be no auto switching like in Windows - you have to do it manually.
Until Nvidia provides drivers for Linux or contribute to a sollution; it is best NOT to buy any of the Optimus products.
Example of products that use Optimus technology are:
Asus U30Jc
Alienware M17x
And many others.
It will not be hard to avoid it since they are very proud of Optimus so it will be heavily marketed. If it does not say Optimus - it probably isn't.
This does not only concern Linux users but all Windows users who want their box to stay flexible and have the possibility to install other OS's on it.
Example:
I am currently helping out a new Linux user in another forum that successfully had installed Ubuntu 11.10 on his Optimus laptop.
He said the he had the Nvidia Optimus card and wanted help to download drivers for it since Gnome3 went into Fallback mode.
This is a Windows user who discovered the lack of flexibility in a Laptop, he thought was the best available, a bit too late
PS:
Do feel free to list other Optimus laps that you know of below. I am sure potential future Linux users will appreciate it.