DSL Embedded :: Embedded laptop experiences?



Has anyone out there tried swapping a laptop HD (noisy, uses lots of current) for an IDE/CD adapter and frugal install?

If you use a laptop on WLAN to just browse web, email etc., losing the Hard Disk and just using DSL on an IDE/CF adaptor would seem a step forward (silent, longer battery life). But of course laptops can be tricky little critters.

Has anyone tried this? Any luck? Recommendations? Can yours 'Suspend'? Trackpoint/trackpad working? etc. etc. etc.
I have done this. Using DSL with CF and ide adapters was one of the first areas that DSL supported. The original lilo frugal install script was made for just such a setup CF/ide. Both in desktops and laptops.
I set this up on a Sony Vaio which has a touchpad. All worked fine.
Not sure every laptop would accomodate the ide adaptor. YMMV
But the benefits are as you stated, quiet and longer battery life.
Great stuff! Which Vaio was it? Any work needed to get the trackpad working? Does it 'suspend'? - This latter I find very useful, as you aren't endlessly booting up & shutting down...
It was a superslim Vaio 505 something. My neighbor has it now!
And of course she runs it with DSL!  :D

original here.