Samsung laptops and Linux compatibility?

[Ockie]

Hello guys. Sorry for throwing suc a wide net. I know there are many SAmsung laptop models....but I am slowly but surely starting to consider getting a new laptop once I have saved up enough.
I see that Samsung have nice laptops @ Game with I3 processors going for like R4599.00....but I am just wondering what the compatibility of Linux is like on Samsung? If I get a Samsung laptop with Intel I3 processor and Intel graphics do you guys foresee any problems?

As far as I understand it...the big problems normally come in with the graphics drivers....but Intel onboard graphics should be well supported in Linux right?

 

[MyWorld]

Laptops are always tricky since they include hardware not usually used on a desktop (memory card readers, etc.)

The best would be to write down the exact model name and number and then Google it. We will not be of much help unless some has the exact same laptop or unless we can have the output of "lspci".

All this said, it has been ages since I came across some hardware that did not work on Linux, so chances are very good that it will work.

 

[Ockie]

Laptops are always tricky since they include hardware not usually used on a desktop (memory card readers, etc.)

The best would be to write down the exact model name and number and then Google it. We will not be of much help unless some has the exact same laptop or unless we can have the output of "lspci".

All this said, it has been ages since I came across some hardware that did not work on Linux, so chances are very good that it will work.

Thank you mister. I will post again when the time comes then rather. I am not too stressed about memory card readers. As long as the mouse pad thingy, graphics and sound and webcam and wireless works then I will be happy. My current laptop has a memory card reader and I have never even tested it lol

 

[graviti]

Ask the Game monkeys if you can try a Ubuntu live CD on the demo unit. Trick is to make him think he's definitely gonna get the sale if he lets you do this.

Sent from my new robot. Viva the Droid.

 

[MyWorld]

Then it is a fair bet that it will work for you. Sound and graphics are not a problem usually, the track pad/touch pad is also very well covered in Linux, it is only the wireless that could set you back if they decided to use some unknown chip to save on cost, but ndiswrapper usually sorts this out no problem.

In short, 80% + chance that it will work out of the box as is, otherwise just a few command line tweaks to get it 100%.

 

[Ockie]

Hello guys. I think this is the laptop that I saw @ Game...and I found the same one at Makro for R3999!!!!!!!!!!!! I WANT IT!!!!

http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=12543&d=1322507188

The above link is the PDF with the specs. It has a Intel HD 3000 onboard graphics GPU or chip or whatever. I have done some googling and found some threads and it seems there used to be a problem with it in for example Ubuntu 10.10 but that seems to have been fixed in the new kernel since 11.04.

What you guys think? Foresee any probs? I saw a post that said the wireless also worked out of the box but seeing that it might have been a different laptop it might have been another wifi chip. Unfortunately on the above spec sheet it does not specify what chip the wifi uses. :-(

Any thoughts? I really REALLY want this laptop. It is SOOOOOO pretty!!!!!!!!! And with a I3 processor I am sure encoding vids with Handbreak will go *snaps fingers" .....just like that!

 

[NeonNinja]

What about a virtualised environment?

 

[Rocket-Boy]

Hello guys. I think this is the laptop that I saw @ Game...and I found the same one at Makro for R3999!!!!!!!!!!!! I WANT IT!!!!

http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=12543&d=1322507188

The above link is the PDF with the specs. It has a Intel HD 3000 onboard graphics GPU or chip or whatever. I have done some googling and found some threads and it seems there used to be a problem with it in for example Ubuntu 10.10 but that seems to have been fixed in the new kernel since 11.04.

What you guys think? Foresee any probs? I saw a post that said the wireless also worked out of the box but seeing that it might have been a different laptop it might have been another wifi chip. Unfortunately on the above spec sheet it does not specify what chip the wifi uses. :-(

Any thoughts? I really REALLY want this laptop. It is SOOOOOO pretty!!!!!!!!! And with a I3 processor I am sure encoding vids with Handbreak will go *snaps fingers" .....just like that!

Occie just googlebox that gfx dude. Those hybrid chips don't like Linux genrally but I'm sure the latest ubuntu might be happy to make friends with it. Other than that it's a nice machine.

 

[Ockie]

What about a virtualised environment?

huh? You mean run Linux Mint in a virtual maching inside Windoze? I played around with that trying to get Sim City 3000 going a few months back. It was simply not worth the effort. Hated it. I want to run only Linux as MS can kiss my toesh!

 

[Ockie]

Occie just googlebox that gfx dude. Those hybrid chips don't like Linux genrally but I'm sure the latest ubuntu might be happy to make friends with it. Other than that it's a nice machine.

Well, I did...and I found some posts saying that there are problems on Ubuntu 10.10.....but then I searched some more and it seems to have been fixed in Ubuntu 11.04 and later with the new kernel. Something about Sandy Bridge not playing nice with the kernel or vice versa.

I guess I was just kinda hoping that one of you guys might have a I3 with Intel HD 3000 graphics running on Ubuntu or Mint that could promise me 100% that it works fine. ...... but I guess you linux guru's all have souped up nitro injected GPU's hey?! hehehehe

 

[MyWorld]

There doesn't seem to be a problem with this and Linux, give it a spin!

 

[Lounger]

Thank you mister. I will post again when the time comes then rather. I am not too stressed about memory card readers. As long as the mouse pad thingy, graphics and sound and webcam and wireless works then I will be happy. My current laptop has a memory card reader and I have never even tested it lol

There is a compatibility listy somewhere for laptops. The last thing you want is the cooling system to fail because the drivers don't work.

 

[Bobbin]

Sorry to hijack but on a side unrelated note but maybe worth a mention, was listening to a podcast some time back where they were going to implement something in the BIOS or perhaps on the mobo somewhere that would be Windows specific. I think it was a security and/or enhancement feature. Caused a bit of outcry over seeming like a ploy to end Linux.

Can anyone here remember or tell me what it is? I can't find it :/ my memory is too vague on the subject. Perhaps something to do with the next release of Windows.

EDIT: Ah nevermind. UEFI secure boot is what it is

 

[MyWorld]

There is a compatibility listy somewhere for laptops. The last thing you want is the cooling system to fail because the drivers don't work.

That will never happen, the worst that can happen on a mobo is the wrong I/O drivers, but this will only degrade performance.

 

[Lounger]

That will never happen, the worst that can happen on a mobo is the wrong I/O drivers, but this will only degrade performance.

It can and does happen because I once tried it on a Toshiba.

 

[Ockie]

There is a compatibility listy somewhere for laptops. The last thing you want is the cooling system to fail because the drivers don't work.

That will never happen, the worst that can happen on a mobo is the wrong I/O drivers, but this will only degrade performance.

Eeeek! Are you trying to freak me the frekking hell out or something!????

I did not see any overheating problems on the Intel HD 3000 chip when I googled it though????

Is he pulling my leg MyWorld??

 

[MyWorld]

I did a quick search and I could not find anything on Samsung laptops and overheating. The only problems were as I stated, WIFI and some other minors, but that was different models.

 

[ponder]

Hello guys. I think this is the laptop that I saw @ Game...and I found the same one at Makro for R3999!!!!!!!!!!!! I WANT IT!!!!

That laptop is a NP-RV511-A0AZA. The ZA denotes SA market so if you want more info just google RV511-A0A. I phoned them and they read the model# off the label on the bottom of the laptop for me. http://www.makro.co.za/p/53383/samsung-laptop/
http://www.samsung.com/africa_en/co...dex.idx?pagetype=prd_detail&tab=specification

Just take your linux livecd of choice down to makro and boot the demo unit off it, they don't mind as I just asked them. Maybe just explain to them first why you want to boot of the cd and ensure they understand it will not change anything on the HDD.

From what I have read Intel HD graphics that's part of the core i3 package has been working fine since Ubuntu 10.04 so whatever distro you use these days will have a newer kernel & better support so I would not worry to much. That laptop does not have nvidia optimus as per the specs and I can't see it being included it that price either.

I reckon you are good to go, just take that livecd with you for testing

 

[Ockie]

That laptop is a NP-RV511-A0AZA. The ZA denotes SA market so if you want more info just google RV511-A0A. I phoned them and they read the model# off the label on the bottom of the laptop for me. http://www.makro.co.za/p/53383/samsung-laptop/
http://www.samsung.com/africa_en/co...dex.idx?pagetype=prd_detail&tab=specification

Just take your linux livecd of choice down to makro and boot the demo unit off it, they don't mind as I just asked them. Maybe just explain to them first why you want to boot of the cd and ensure they understand it will not change anything on the HDD.

From what I have read Intel HD graphics that's part of the core i3 package has been working fine since Ubuntu 10.04 so whatever distro you use these days will have a newer kernel & better support so I would not worry to much. That laptop does not have nvidia optimus as per the specs and I can't see it being included it that price either.

I reckon you are good to go, just take that livecd with you for testing

Cool beans...thank you very much. I am hoping to get a extra gift card end of the week and then I should have enough to buy the laptop...OMG>....I AM SO EXCITED! My first Intel I processor! YEAH BABY!!!!! WHOOOOOOO WHOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[ponder]

Cool beans...thank you very much. I am hoping to get a extra gift card end of the week and then I should have enough to buy the laptop...OMG>....I AM SO EXCITED! My first Intel I processor! YEAH BABY!!!!! WHOOOOOOO WHOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Once you get it I suggest to slot another 2GB of RAM in there