[CALUG] Linux Friendly Laptops

[Rob]

>> I am saving up to buy a laptop.  I want to use Linux as my primary  
>> OS.

I would suggest trying as many distros as is practicable before  
deciding on hardware.  I know it may seem counterintuitive.  Some  
folks like to tinker, troubleshoot, constantly update, and so like  
distros like gentoo.  Some like a more out-of-the-box distro like  
Suse or Mandriva.  And then there are some one-CD distros like  
Ubuntu.  And live-CD distros like Knoppix, Knoppix-STD, Overclockix.   
Many people even put more server-oriented OS's on their laptops like  
the BSD's.

The point I would make is that you might look for the distro you like  
most, then check out the supported hardware page of their website  
before looking for a laptop.  Let your OS be your guide.

Oh, and why not just keep that Windows partition on your OEM  
hardware?  I am now looking for a new laptop, because all the  
distance learning delivery vehicles for IT grad degrees seem to work  
properly only in Windows using IE.  Go figure.  By the way, I would  
be happy to receive some feedback from the group on how wrong I am  
about that last bit.  I really would prefer to use my PowerBook for  
school instead of investing in more hardware.

Cheers,
Rob