[PLUG] Linux Notebook recommendations

[jgw at tx0.org]

 Alex <plug at mailswamp.com> wrote:

> I in a desperate need of a new notebook/laptop for the oncoming school
> year.
> ...
> Could somebody please recommend, based on the personal experience, a
> decent notebook with the following characteristics:
> 
> 1. 15 - 17" Display
> 2. Turion II or less desirable Athlon II dual core CPU. Quad core is
> fine as long as it's AMD
> 3. 1 GB Ethernet controller
> 4. Wi-Fi Wireless 802.11b/g/n controller which is known to work with
> Linux without excessive headaches.
> 5. nVidia integrated graphic controller. In the worst case scenario I
> can live with ATI Radeon.
> 6. At least 4GB DDR3 RAM expandable up to 8GB. I don't want to have
> older and slower DDR2 RAM.
> 7. Preferably in black or other non-flashy matte colors. I don't like
> that bright and cheesy silverish goldish el'cheapo glossy colors.

Hi Alex,
I recent bought the following for my Mom; $400 at Staples.com:

 Compaq Presario CQ61-420US
 (look up reviews & specs on newegg)

I installed Ubuntu 10.4 which runs flawlessly.  It does _not_ have a
1GB Ethernet NIC though, just 10/100.  And no PCCARD slot either; you'd
have to use the USB ports for faster Ethernet.  Still, for the money it
seemed like a good deal.  Might want to scuff up the shiny black casing
- major fingerprint magnet...

Good luck with the search,

Jeff