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Topic: Need advice: choice between 2 laptops, IBM vs ACER

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WoofyDugfock Offline

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Posts: 146
Joined: Sep. 2004

Posted: April 28 2005,18:35

Really hope I can draw on the collective intelligence in the forum on this. I've found two new cheap bottom-end laptops that actually boot DSL (a lot don't, cheatcodes or no). Which to get (if any)? I gave up looking for months after getting pissed off with non-knoppix-booting Amilos and HP AMDs, despite the urgency - I NEED one for my main machine & don't have easy access to the stores.

1. IBM Thinkpad R50e 30G/256M DVDROM CD-RW 15" TFT Celeron M330 1.4Ghz. Sound card is Intel Corp l82801DB AC '97 Audio Controller driver =i810_audio, detected during boot OK.

Boots no cheat codes. USB pendrive seen no problem. Sharp clear display - looks good. No obvious from-USB boot in BIOS boot sequence settings. Two issues:

a) Sound not working - as below.
b) "Can't locate module block-major 2" message during boot - is this important?

And it's got no touchpad - only that awful un-ergonomic nipple thing in the middle of the keyboard that IBM insists is a good idea - hurts my fingers. But it's light and solid IBM build quality. (I notice the Linux Journal staffers seem to favour the IBM T40 laptop ..)

2. Acer Aspire 1414 WLMI 15.4" WXGA WFT 40G/512M DVD+/-RW. 802.11b/g. Celeron M350 1.3 Ghz i think. Sound card is Intel Corp something AC '97 Audio Controller. Touchpad. A LOT of goodies for the cash, only slightly more $ than the IBM but more of everything. Heavyish and thick, though not so when compared to the mega laptops.

Boots DSL no cheatcodes once BIOS set to boot from CD. USB stick seen OK. Two issues:

a) sndconfig run within X reported an error. Soundcard seen during boot ok but not working?

b) Display is rather stretched sideways to fit the widescreen, and dsl desktop is nowhere near as sharp & crisp as IBM above.

What if I get hold of a cheap 17-19" monitor and drive it with one of these for off the road...

I know this is the same old same old, but what boot codes should I try? Can the Acer sharpness/stretching issue be fixed/improved? Any other opinions?

Thanks for any comments!

WDf

--------------
"We don't need no stinkin' Windows"

http://news.zdnet.co.uk/software/linuxunix/0,39020390,39149796,00.htm

cbagger01

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Joined: Oct. 2003

Posted: April 28 2005,21:43

Generally speaking, if all things are nearly equal, you should get the IBM.

Historically, IBM has built quality laptops in the past for business use. I don't have a lot of experience with their home user laptops but I would hope that the build quality is still good.

As for sound, you might be able to get sound working if you use the alsadebs.dsl extension and follow the instructions in the *.info file.

Caspar_s

Group: Members
Posts: 105
Joined: Jan. 2005

Posted: April 29 2005,02:53

Also take a mouse if you don't like the "nipple"
You can get a lot of neat small mice now - and a big one is no problem either.
Does xsetup let you select another resolution (wider) Cause that may be why it doesn't look too good.

WoofyDugfock Offline

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Posts: 146
Joined: Sep. 2004

Posted: April 29 2005,13:22

Thx v much for the responses. I'll try alsadebs.dsl. But I don't really know how to go about optimising the resolution settings for the Acer WXGA...

There's this post, but how do I apply that to the Acer?

- Do I just do fb1280 x 800 at the boot prompt (which I think is the stated resolution for the Acer screen) and see if it looks any better? Or ... what other numbers ..how do I know?

- Do I use Xfree86.dsl, and, if so, how where and what?

While you're probably right that the IBM is most likely the better build, the Acer is very tempting with its extra bang for buck. But if dsl is going to look less than crisp on its screen then that's a BIG negative.

--------------
"We don't need no stinkin' Windows"

http://news.zdnet.co.uk/software/linuxunix/0,39020390,39149796,00.htm

noordinaryspider Offline

Group: Members
Posts: 67
Joined: Feb. 2005

Posted: April 30 2005,14:15

Thanks for the post, Woofy; it helps me too since I've always used desktops and didn't have a clue what to look for in a laptop.

--------------
Sorry, I don't do windows.

8 replies since April 28 2005,18:35

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