Nowadays, Laptop For Linux
For that I tried to explain here specification laptop / notebook that is suitable and have the hardware that is already well known by Linux Desktop
I write the course outline based on my own experience:
1. Processor
Both Intel and AMD at this time already well known to all the technology in Linux that are popular at this time.
2. Video chipset
All video chipset that is currently already can run linux with a graphical display standards. For at least the 3D chipset is from Intel. Ranging from 945 up to Intel X1300. This chipset is directly running 3D to run Compiz Fusion on Linux.
To run a more 3D, please select the weight of a chipset from NVidia or ATI, and if its video memory can be dedicated (not shared from RAM). Both chipset requires drivers retired in Linux.
3. Wifi Chipset
Intel is still so great in the introduction harware directly on Linux. For other chipsets such as Broadcom and Atheros also a retired driver in linux, can also use ndiswrapper.
4. Hard disk.
I think the hard drive is well recognized by both the linux IDE and SATA.
5. Network Card
All Network Card Laptop chipset at this time has also been well recognized by linux.
6. Webcam / Camera
This is still quite difficult. Due to some new vendors only add the drivers for linux, also the installation manual. Chipset Webcam that can be run on linux with the drivers that I know belong to a new chipset and Acer microdia.
7. Internal Modem
Most have been recognized by linux at this time. If that is not detected may indeed require a special driver.
In general that I can review the specifications of laptop or notebook to run Linux well. This is different from the UMPC at this time that already include the OS on Linux, of course all the hardware is already running well.
From the results of the survey, I still centrino laptop with the specification from Intel (Intel chipset from the motherboard, processor, wifi, video) is the right choice when we do not want to fuss with driver installation in linux.
Intel to Develop New CPU Architecture for OLPC Use
Intel isn’t content to cede any portion of the CPU market to rival AMD and to compete on all fronts -- including the OLPC market -- Intel plans to develop a new CPU architecture.
No current Intel processors fit the specifications for the one laptop per child notebook program (OLPC), so Intel is designing a new processor specifically for the ultra-low cost laptop category where the AMD 433MHz Geode LX-700 reigns king.
Few specifications on the new Intel architecture are known at this time, other than it will be cheap and aimed at the specifications of the AMD processor currently being used in the OLPC system. Yahoo! News is reporting that Intel considered using existing mobile processors including modified versions of the Celeron M and the upcoming Silverthorne processors, which were specifically designed for mobile systems.
Those processors were ruled out because Intel says the small size, low cost and low power consumption required by the OLPC laptop are unique enough to warrant a new architecture. While Intel processors aren’t powering the official OLPC, Intel parts are used in similar systems including the Classmate PC and the ASUS Eee.
The ASUS Eee PC will be shipping soon and is going to be sold through Newegg.com and Best Buy. That system features a 7-inch screen and should be quite power efficient. However, the retail price for the system is more than the target cost of the OLPC, which originally was aiming at a $100 price tag.
Prices for the official OLPC system have since increased significantly over the original $100 target.
A new motherboard from ASUS has hit the market. The P5E3 Deluxe/WiFi-Ap@n has some features that other motherboards don't have: an integrated Linux distribution and instant access to functions like surfing the Internet, VoIP and Web emailing without entering the operating system. If you want to buy it, then you should spare $360, because that's how much it will cost.
The P5E3 Deluxe/WiFi-AP@n is an Intel X38 chipset-based motherboard and supports DDR3 1800MHz dual-channel memory architecture and Dual PCI Express 2.0 x16 lanes for improved graphics performance.
The CPU power supply can be digitally monitored and fine-tuned with the help of the first ASUS EPU (Energy Processing Unit), thus attaining the best possible power efficiency and energy savings. This new motherboard also supports 802.11n WiFi specifications onboard for faster data transfers and Asus Express Gate, the optional Linux operating system bootup. This integrated distribution is called SplashTop and was made by DeviceVM.
The WiFi technology used on P5E3 Deluxe/WiFi-AP@n offers transfer rates of 300 Mbps and has the latest WiFi specifications for better signal coverage. When the user starts the system, he/she can choose between the normal boot-up (from a hard-disk or CD/DVD drive), rebooting/shutting down or booting the SplashTop platform with Skype or the Web browser. The last one is a version of Mozilla Firefox with only the most important features included.
Skype 1.3.0.53 is included in Express Gate with all its features installed. The screen resolution can be adjusted, with basic display settings. A high-end sound system is available on the new motherboard, equipped with 8 channels and a HD audio CODEC (High Definition Audio, formerly known as Azalia) that enables high-quality 192KHz/24-bit audio output. A multi-streaming technology is now available, which simultaneously sends different audio streams to different locations, like talking to someone using a headphone and at the same time playing a multi-channel network game.
With a fast bootup speed of only 5 seconds, the ASUS Express Gate offers an optional Linux OS bootup that allows you to enjoy instant access to commonly used functions like accessing the Internet, VoIP, and Web emailing without entering the OS.
Having Linux based Media Center doesn't burn a hole in your pocket, but enables you to have a good rig to sizzle your entertainment. Fiire is a company doing just that - it sells media boxes and remotes. Their rig is based on the FiireEngine; it's a $799 box which packs an AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ processor, a 1GB of RAM, 160GB HDD, RAID support for 6 eSATA drives (that would take the total capacity to 6TB), with a motherboard having an on-board the NViDIA 6200 graphics chipset. The system has DVI, VGA, S-video, but unfortunately no HDMI. The FiireEngine accesses the company's FiireStation ($499-$899) set-top box to provide entertainment to wall-mount units. The remote provided, FiireChief ($149) controls the media center. You can have a "follow" wherein you can play a video in one room, move to the next room, and continue to watch the same video on a different screen in a different room. How cool is that? But I can see those dollars summing up to a way bigger amount. Well a cool concept with a high price tag, and still no HDMI is degrading.
