FAO: Linux users and FAO: Mac lovers

[Barry Scott]

What spec and how much?

I'm still thinking of keeping it now, but that would be silly really as I have no need for it!

It's 13", 2Ghz Centrino, 1GB Ram (but can upgrade to 2GB for £25), 120GB HD, Wifi, bluetooth, DVDRW, Port replicator (cost £150 i think and has never been used!), handheld trackball mouse thing. Battery life is down to about 30-45 minutes now and charger is covered in ducttape, but is fiine. There are some other cosmetic issues as well, but you can look at it if you wish. I'd like £200.

http://www.pcpro.co.uk/reviews/laptops/75048/sony-vaio-vgn-s4xp

[Barry Scott]

right mouse button? do they have them yet?

Double fingered tap on the trackpad (which is ace!) or you can set it up to click in bottom left or right corners.

[pauld]

I've been thinking of trying Linux on an old laptop I've got, the thing is it doesn't have an internat CD drive and I don't think it can boot from USB.

If it's that old, don't try using Ubuntu or one of the mainstream distros - it'll crawl and you'll struggle. Like MR said Puppy or one of the other lightweight distros are geared towards getting the best out of older/low spec hardware.

Oh and Ben they sorted out the wireless in Ubuntu some time ago - I recently set up a PC for the kids using a tailored kids' distro based on Xubuntu and it runs wireless fine (well except for the normal problems I get with wireless - apparently the Victorians built labourers' cottages with walls thick enough to withstand small tactical nuclear wars)

[Melksham Red]

Wireless shouldn't be much of a problem on any modern distro providing you can get online via ethernet and download the relevant drivers for your card.

[pauld]

Wireless shouldn't be much of a problem on any modern distro providing you can get online via ethernet and download the relevant drivers for your card.

FWIW, in the kids PC I used a USB wireless stick and it just worked, drivers already loaded as modules.

[Melksham Red]

Being an old laptop I suspect there's a kernel module for his card. It will certainly make life easier for him.

[Barry Scott]

*Bump*

Just installed Puppy onto an old IBM Think Pad. Fuck. Me. That is a proper OS. There's some speed in that baby. I love it. Might have a use for the old IBM now. Although I'm still thinking I might bosh XP on it again.

[Melksham Red]

Did you have to bump this thread BS? I sound like a right fucking dweeb!

[Barry Scott]

Yes. To let you know I'm using Puppy and to remind you why wearing a Linux t-shirt is like contraception.