New to laptops

[Matthew Flaschen]

Gerald I. Evenden wrote:

> 
>> (http://www.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/linux_3x?c=us&cs=19&l=en&
>> s=dhs). It's basically the same system, but with Ubuntu Feisty
>> pre-installed. I'm actually writing this on a Dell E1505, on Dapper. 
>> Suspend works well, and hibernate works too, but with some software quirks.
>>  Wireless (3945ABG) requires proprietary firmware.  I have an ATI video
>> card, and use vesa (a proprietary driver is available).  All the other
>> hardware (including the media keys in the front) works.
> 	...
>> Matthew Flaschen
> 
> LOL.  I did not think of checking Dell for preinstalled [K]ubuntu.  I seem to 
> remember they did have Unix/Linux systems but I also had the impression they 
> were in bed with Red Hat or ...

They just started selling GNU/Linux (Ubuntu) systems to consumers for
the first time in a long while.

> Such a deal also frees me from having to have M$ preinstalled and part of the price.

And you'll be supporting GNU/Linux (especially free drivers)

> Can one change from Gnome to KDE without major surgery?  I prefer KDE.

Easy.  Just install kubuntu-desktop

> May I ask what CPU/Memory and disk you selected and any comments and druthers 
> on these selections?

Okay, but this is a E1505 purchased with XP a while back, not a E1505n
preinstalled with Ubuntu.  The original config was:

NJ745	PROCESSOR, 80539, YONAH, T2300E, 1.66, 2M

Y5522	DUAL IN-LINE MEMORY MODULE, 512MB, 533, 64X64, 8K, 200

WC004	HARD DRIVE, 80G, 9.5, 7.2K, Serial ATA, HITACHI GLOBAL STORAGE
TECHNOLOGIES, MORAGA PLUS

Note the 7200 rpm.  It costs extra, but I think it's definitely worth
it.  The drive is the slowest component in the computer.

NC293	CARD (CIRCUIT), NETWORK, MINICARD, 3945ULD, DELL AMERICAS ORGANIZATION

This requires proprietary firmware, but Dell doesn't sell a card that
doesn't.

CF264	LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY, 15.4WSXGA+, VIDEO ELEC. STDS. ASSOC.,
GLARE WIDE VIEWING ANGLE, SAMSUNG

Kind of a waste with a medicore video driver

UJ368	ASSEMBLY, DVD+/-RW, 8X, TOSHIBA SAMSUNG STORAGE TECHNOLOGY,
SULLIVAN/TOBAGO

WF147	CARD (CIRCUIT), GRAPHICS, 128MB, M52, I6400

I recommend against the ATI card.

However, the E1505n would be different in many ways.

Matt Flaschen