This isn't really a commentary on Linux itself though. Optimus can cause issues on Windows, too. It's new tech and Linux support is at the bottom of vendors' "t

This isn't really a commentary on Linux itself though. Optimus can cause issues on Windows, too. It's new tech and Linux support is at the bottom of vendors' "todo" lists. The problem here is twofold, though I'm not necessarily saying these comments apply to you, you are apparently willing to endure some inconvenience. First, people should always check hardware support before buying a laptop if they intend to install Linux. I'm not trying to be a neck-beaded dick (although I do need to shave), I'm just pointing out that many of the problems people have with Linux stem from well-known incompatibilities that could have been avoided with different hardware choices. Which brings me nicely to the second point... There is a communication issue in the Linux community. We (I'm including myself here) need to stop over-selling Linux. It is not a computing panacea for everyone, and so long as hardware support lags behind Windows "selling" Linux as a drop-in Windows replacement isn't a good strategy. Getting someone to install Ubuntu/Fedora/openSUSE isn't a victory for the community if his hardware isn't compatible and things don't work right. It would be better to tell him that he should think about purchasing a Linux-compatible computer in the future and perhaps directing him to a list of compatible hardware.