Re: a notebook for Linux: ATI or Intel graphics?

rga@xxxxxx wrote:
Hello,

I am not a gamer, from my notebook I expect:
- support for Linux (this is the system I use)
- long battery life
- reasonable noise level
- portability (14" is OK unless it is just a small LCD in a big
case)
- open Linux drivers for the hardware
- good price
- basic, but "open" 3D (it is good to have some fun from time to
time :)

If you want to play games the intel integrated graphics will not cut the mustard (unless you use low quality settings).

Unfortunatelly there are no notebooks with AMD Turion MT for me
(preferred over Intel because of 64b architecture, low power usage,
high performance and the latest issue with Intel and Skype), but If
anyone know a good one:
- with AMD Turion MT
- graphics with open 3D drivers (ATI Radeon up to 9200, AFAIK)
- good Accu and battery life (at least: 4h max) - 14" LCD (without any glare "features", i.e. with the
anti-reflective layer) in a small case
I would be very obliged.

I've also been looking at turion-based models and HP has one (nc6125) which looks good and acer has several models. HP seems to have a good rep., but I'm not so clear on Acer.

The problem I've noticed with AMD-based models is that they tend to favour ATI graphics, which are more troublesome than others in 3D acceleration, esp. on a laptop as the mobility radeon is AFAICT not supported by the std ati driver.

Plus you need to be more careful with AMD in checking what Wi-fi chipset is used as it may not be supported in linux - with intel centrino you know it's always supported.
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: GeForce 8800 GTS under Linux
    ... them to support Linux in any form unless they are going to support ... Like Nvidia, it's unlikely ATI will ever open source.... ... changes to xorg (by Intel) will make it very hard for Nvidia ...
    (comp.os.linux.hardware)
  • Re: Build/Assemble Pc
    ... none of these have anything to do with Linux. ... Via, SiS, AMD, and Intel based boards are a different story. ... any distro that doesn't support Intel ... Western Digital makes decent drives, ...
    (alt.os.linux)
  • Re: Fuer Linux-Leute: Raspberry-Konkurrent?
    ... Der Support auf der Mailingliste ist geradezu vorbildlich. ... Privat oder von Intel bezahlt? ... Suspend to RAM bei Linux ist ja relativ jung. ...
    (de.sci.electronics)
  • Re: Intel Support of Centrino Under Linux Petition
    ... > Intel has flipped on the issue of Linux. ... When Centrino was introduced ... > they reported that Linux would indeed be supported. ... the mechanism to help Intel gauge users desire for Linux support. ...
    (comp.os.linux.portable)
  • [opensuse] Poor battery life with Opensuse 11.4
    ... most everything works I notice that the battery life is quite poor under ... linux but 4-5 hours under windows. ... These have dual graphics (intel + AMD ... The radeon module is no ...
    (SuSE)