Re: [tlug] Favorite Linux laptops these days?

[Jonathan Byrne <jonathan@example.com>]

On 3/26/12 19:23 , Raymond Wan wrote:
> On Tue, Mar 27, 2012 at 12:19 AM, Jonathan Byrne<jonathan@example.com>  wrote:
> > On 3/26/12 01:06 , Kalin KOZHUHAROV wrote:
> > > I currently use Toshiba Dynabook R731/W2UB, but the current model is R731/39EB
> > > http://dynabook.com/pc/catalog/dynabook/120123r731/index_j.htm?utm_source=dynabook_top&utm_medium=left_navi&utm_campaign=r731
> > Interesting that you're running a Toshiba. I've had such bad experiences
> > with Toshiba laptops (not just on Linux, but in general, although they
> > were especially bad when Linux was involved) that I literally wouldn't
> > take one for free. A shame, really. I love Toshiba's AV gear, but their
> > computers, not so much.
>
> Really?  What kind of bad experiences?

Expensive for what you get. Wouldn't run Linux worth crap. The last one 
I had - during my time at Microsoft - wouldn't even run Windows for 
crap. It was unbelievably unstable, even running a Microsoft IT image of 
XP (which is, as XP goes, a pretty stable OS, generally). It was a rare 
day it didn't crash. That was a Tecra M4, a "tablet" notebook that you 
could fold inside out. Worst laptop I ever had. Took the title from the 
previous record holder, also a Toshiba, that GOL had back then. I forget 
what model it was, but it would run nothing but Windows. Most Linuxes 
couldn't even boot an install CD. The ones that could install wouldn't 
run once install was finished.  No BSD I tried would boot on that thing, 
either.

The only Toshiba I encountered that didn't totally stink was the 
Libretto. A good little (*really* little) machine, but just too small 
for me to type on.

What were the best things back then? ThinkPads. The GOL ThinkPad 240 was 
a wonderful road machine, hand-picked by the engineering dept. Besides 
being all the things that make them great, this one also had a killer 
feature for people who need to connect to serial ports in remote 
locations a lot: a real serial port. You don't want to be at a POP in 
Fukuoka and find out your USB serial port ain't gonna talk to your 
router :-)  I wonder if they still have that little gem? I'll have to 
ask :-)

> If someone asked me for a laptop brand suggestion, my first choice
> would be Toshiba, especially in Japan [they're rarer outside of
> Japan].

The only thing that makes them rare in the States is that not many 
people buy them, but they are available.

You must have some Linux mojo, to have it working on Toshiba ;-)

Jonathan