[ubuntu-uk] Looking to jump into Ubuntu

[Paul Broadbent]

On Sunday 03 December 2006 15:18, Guyan Perera wrote:
> Hi there !
>
> I just moved to the UK from Australia and I need a computer (laptop
> prefebly with wireless internet) I been reading bits and pieces about
> Ubuntu linux and I was wondering if there was some kind of laptop specs
> which where ideal for using Ubuntu with. For example I saw some videos with
> the Ubuntu screen spinning around like a cube and such..What kind of
> graphics card or gaphics memory is needed to support that ?

To do that the graphics card needs to support Xgl or AIGLX. There is a list of 
hardware that supports Xgl here:
http://gentoo-wiki.com/HARDWARE_Video_Card_Support_Under_XGL
and some info on hardware that supports AIGLX here:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/CompositeManager/AIGLX

>
> Are there particular laptop brands or components which work well with Linux
> ? Is there a store which specialises in Linux hardware ? I live in London
> at the moment is there any good hardware stores I should visit for the best
> deal
There is a list with info on how well certain laptops work with Ubuntu here:
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/HardwareSupportMachinesLaptops

As for stores in London that specialise in Linux hardware, I'm not 
sure, I don't really know London very well. However, with most laptops you buy 
nowadays you should be OK at getting Linux to run. The only problem with just 
buying a laptop from a normal shop is that you'll have to pay the "Windows 
tax" (included in the cost of the laptop will be the cost of them having to 
pay for Windows), so if you don't want windows (or already own it) it's 
probably worth looking around for a shop that specialises in linux or at 
least offers laptops with no operating system pre-installed. 
I don't know where you could go for this, but I'm sure there is someone here 
who will be able to point you in the right direction.

Alternatively you could just ask for your money back after buying the laptop:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6144782.stm
But there is no guarantee that wherever you buy the laptop from will be as 
nice as Dell were in this case.

Good luck

Paul