Dell Laptop question

[O. Sinclair]

Michael D. Stemle, Jr. wrote:
> On Thursday 19 July 2007 02:43:13 Ted Frater wrote:
>> Nigel Ridley wrote:
>>> I was interested in buying one of those Dell/Ubuntu laptops but they are
>>> not yet available here in Israel.
>>>
>>> BUT, I found a retailer that sells all their laptops without an installed
>>> OS - if I want! :-)
>>> So what, of the cheaper range, models would you recommend? What are the
>>> Turion processors like as opposed to the Intel core duo? I did have a
>>> quick Google but their is way too much info out there to digest
>>> easily/quickly.
>>>
>>> Blessings,
>>>
>>> Nigel
>> Dell have a consumer range and their business range.
>>   The former  is Inspiron the latter is the Latitude.
>>   If your going to use it for business do purchase 3 yr on site next
>> business working day warranty.
>>  Essential.
>> As for build  quality , IBM lenovo are still the best.
>> whats just as important tho is where the nearest service depot is. Talk
>> to them first to see what support your going to get
>> you need a laptop that has an installed base of 1000's. there will be
>> more spares for those around than say the latest  high flying model
>> I personally always go for a second hand ex corporate leasing laptop.
>>  If its survived 3  yearsof leasing it will have has a good burn in.
>>  Never failed me.
>>  And I supply laptops to friends.
>>  Only IBM tho.
>>  hope this helps.
> 
> Most of the Lenovo's I've been seeing have those wretched TPMs on them, many 
> of them don't have anything but ATI cards, and I don't think I saw a single 
> one without an intel or broadcom wireless NIC (though System76 and Dell are 
> also only offering Intel 3945s).
> 
> Just don't buy an HP.  I made that mistake and I am sorely regretting it now.  
> Lucky for me, Dell's got a great deal going on with their laptops.
> 
Not that I have been trying out Linux on any HP but I have installed 
near 20 the last 2 years with Windows and had very few problems. 
IBM/Lenovo can be weird but have a "solid brick" reputation. Personally 
I run a Dell Inspiron 6400/1505 and have very few problems.

I would avoid ATI graphics - a mistake I made. It works but no 3D here. 
I would stick to Intel wireless as they, as I understand it, support the 
community with drivers. Mine worked out of the box since Dapper 6.06 
(now on Feisty 7.04).

If you go to Dell US site and search for "ubuntu" you will find what 
models they deliver with Ubuntu - that could be a hint to find one that 
is easy to get up and running.

Sinclair