Date: Sat, 25 Jun 2011 08:34:17 -1000 From: Kevin Oberman <kob6558@gmail.com> To: Bastian Rieck <bastian@tecroots.net> Cc: freebsd-mobile@freebsd.org Subject: Re: Laptop recommendations? Message-ID: <BANLkTi=mCPh7OGqF0mazAaJi7vZK7RXLjg@mail.gmail.com> In-Reply-To: <1309023264.31961.1467170105@webmail.messagingengine.com> References: <1309023264.31961.1467170105@webmail.messagingengine.com>
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On Sat, Jun 25, 2011 at 7:34 AM, Bastian Rieck <bastian@tecroots.net> wrote= : > Dear list, > > I need to replace my old IBM Thinkpad R50e, which is running FreeBSD > 8.2. Currently, my favoured replacement is a Lenovo ThinkPad Edge E520. > However, I am not sure how well FreeBSD would run on it. Is anyone > using this laptop with FreeBSD? I ran several searches with Google, > of course, but the models described in search results are either > too old or too expensive, > i.e. more than 1000 EUR... > > Consequently, I am also interested in other recommendations: If you are > using an affordable laptop (say less than 600 EUR, i.e. 850 USD) with > FreeBSD, please reply. My requirements are actually quite low: I need 3D > acceleration (OpenGL) as I am developing scientific visualization > software and a working WLAN card. Any extra features/hardware supported > would be nice, but it is definitely _not_ a must. > > Thanks for your considerations. > > Kind regards, > =A0 Bastian Two main issues. Graphics and wireless. As far as wireless goes, look out for Lenovo "1x1" wireless. It's a Realtek card and there is no support for it. The Intel cards (Centrino) should do OK with IWN. I would be delighted if an Atheros card would work, but Lenovo locks PCI IDs for wireless, so I suspect Atheros won't work since Lenovo no longer sells them. Almost all new systems use the integrated Intel 3000 GPU which won't work with FreeBSD until GEM/KMS support is available. If you can find AMD graphics or nVidia graphics OTHER THAN OPTIMUS, you are fine, but I don't think this will be easy. Lenovo does sell some AMD based laptops with Redeon graphics and hose might be your best bet. Good luck! FreeBSD on laptops is a real problem ATM. --=20 R. Kevin Oberman, Network Engineer - Retired E-mail: kob6558@gmail.com
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