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I have a MBP running Linux, following a PowerBook running Linux, and would now recommend against Mac hardware. Apple have a nasty habit of changing out parts i

I have a MBP running Linux, following a PowerBook running Linux, and would now recommend against Mac hardware. Apple have a nasty habit of changing out parts in the middle of a production run. That is fine if you are running OS X, but very bad if you end up with a part with no Linux drivers. I ended up with a DVD drive that can't even read data from out of region disks and a wireless card revision with flaky support when other people who bought the same model at the same time have no problems. The M1330 laptops from Dell look pretty nice, are compact (13" screen) and are very good value. I tried one out a few weeks ago and liked the screen. Plus they come with vendor support for Ubuntu and it's not a bad idea to vote with your wallet to encourage that kind of thing :)

goofygrin 19y ago
I have both an x61s and an XPS m1330. The only problem I have with the x61s is that the 1024x768 screen res is horrible in today's high res world. And I've had lots of quality issues with the XPS m1330. Bad screens, cases, etc. Both run ubuntu well though (intel graphics and wireless on the x61s and nvidia graphics, intel wireless on the m1330).
statikpulse 19y ago
The M1330 is the one I'm leaning towards. You can get them with Ubuntu installed direct from Dell (http://www.dell.com/ubuntu http://www.dell.com/ubuntu or http://www.dell.ca/open http://www.dell.ca/open in Canada).
- dag 19y ago
  For some reason I've had to say this a lot recently: If the machine is important for work then don't get a consumer model. The XPS and Inspirons are consumer models. If something needs to be replaced the tech support people (soon Philippines based, if you haven't read the news) will tell you that they'll send a tech in 3 to 5 business days. There's no international service and depot service takes longer still. Before you buy an XPS or Inspiron ask yourself if you can live without it for a week.

goofygrin 19y ago

I have both an x61s and an XPS m1330. The only problem I have with the x61s is that the 1024x768 screen res is horrible in today's high res world. And I've had lots of quality issues with the XPS m1330. Bad screens, cases, etc. Both run ubuntu well though (intel graphics and wireless on the x61s and nvidia graphics, intel wireless on the m1330).

statikpulse 19y ago

The M1330 is the one I'm leaning towards. You can get them with Ubuntu installed direct from Dell (http://www.dell.com/ubuntu http://www.dell.com/ubuntu or http://www.dell.ca/open http://www.dell.ca/open in Canada).

dag 19y ago
For some reason I've had to say this a lot recently: If the machine is important for work then don't get a consumer model. The XPS and Inspirons are consumer models. If something needs to be replaced the tech support people (soon Philippines based, if you haven't read the news) will tell you that they'll send a tech in 3 to 5 business days. There's no international service and depot service takes longer still. Before you buy an XPS or Inspiron ask yourself if you can live without it for a week.