Laptop Recommendations wanted...

[Isthmus]

I'm looking for an ultra portable laptop that i would like to use to run Linux side by side with Windows. Preferably I want something running on an IVy Bridge chipset (quad i7 would be preferable); have a discrete GPU (preferably not Nvidia); and most importantly be self serviceable (read, components such as RAM, HD, batteries , etc. are accesible and user replaceable). I would prefer a 15" model, but will entertain a 13" one. Ample HD space is desireable, but the type is not as big a deal (though I would prefer a hybrid SSD/Magentic HD set up. The closest thing I've seen thus far is the new Asus UX32VD:

Review Asus Zenbook UX32VD Ultrabook - Notebookcheck.net Reviews

The only problems I'm seeing with it is the size (13") and the GPU (NVIDia - which do not tend to play nice with Linux). I would love any recommendations you guys might have on any comparables there might be out there.

Thanks in advance

 

[linuxrich]

Find one in a store, taking a live cd/dvd/usb with you and ask to test it. If the staff in the store won't let you try Linux on it, walk out.

Nice looking machine BTW!

 

[Isthmus]

Find one in a store, taking a live cd/dvd/usb with you and ask to test it. If the staff in the store won't let you try Linux on it, walk out.

Nice looking machine BTW!

Thanks, but my issue is not being able to run linux in it, that I know I can do. My issue is getting the rig type with the type of spec and component access I'm looking for.

 

[TxGoat]

If you don't have an aversion to a refurbished model....

Samsung Series 7 NP700Z5B-W01UB Refurbished Notebook PC - Intel Core i7-2675QM 2.2GHz, 6GB DDR3, 750GB HDD, DVDRW, 15.6 Display, Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit at TigerDirect.com

2nd generation Intel Core i7-2675QM 2.2GHz Quad-Core processor; provides you with blazing fast system performance
6GB of DDR3 memory; handle multiple tasks without slowing the system down
750GB hard drive; lets you store tons of your favorite multimedia files for easy access even while traveling
AMD Radeon HD 6490M GPU; produces high-definition graphics for your games and movies so you can expect an amazing visual experience
15.6-inch widescreen display; supports playback of high-definition content in 720p format
Two USB 3.0 ports enjoy high-speed data transfers from your other USB devices

Price is only $669.99 with free shipping. I say get this and add the extended warranty, and if this one dies, get a new replacement (if they offer new replacements on refurbs).

 

[mrspeedmaster]

Get yourself a Thinkpad T or X series for portability.

The discreet thing will be a problem regardless if it is nvidia or ati.
HD3000/HD4000 is good enough for 1080p playback and high resolution displays.

I have a Thinkpad running very smoothly with Linux. Everything works -
-fingerprint scanner to login, sudo
-esata works
-docking station works, powers a 30" Dell at 2560x1600 through displayport.

I have 3 drive bays (msata, main, ultrabay) all running SSDs.

In fact, it runs better than Win7 (better battery life).
Everything worked with Ubuntu 12.04 LTS.

It works almost as good as my macs. I never put it to sleep. I dock and undock into my docking station. Displayport is way better than HDMI.
esata-usb combo powers external sata drives. I plug bare SSDs and make backups all the time. I swap out drives in the ultra-bay (cd slot) with just an unlock and it slides out. You can get a slice battery and go 18 hours.

It is definitely a pro-grade laptop - shock absorbers, roll cage, military spec.

Mine has a expresscard slot so I plan to plug in a desktop GPU card with an expresscard to PCIe adapter. I've seen it done on many forums. expresscard is cool because most laptop sdreaders are slow. You can get a sd-card expresscard adapter that supports UHS-1. It will be flushed.
That means you can read/write 90MB via SDHC. The built in one is 20MB tops like all standard laptops. Or plug in another SSD in the expresscard.


oh, and you can upgrade to 16GB of RAM for about $100 (aftermarket corsairs). No ultrabook is gonna give you the ability to run 16GB ram. 16GB is sweeeeet. I normally have 6-8 virtual machines running great with 16GB.

The thicker W series can go 32 GB of ram. Not very portable though.

 

[Shane2943]

The only problems I'm seeing with it is the size (13") and the GPU (NVIDia - which do not tend to play nice with Linux).

Based on what? No GPU plays nicer with Linux than NVidia! ATI's linux drivers are garbage and Intel is ok, except...well...it's an Intel GPU. NVidia plays flawlessly with Linux and has the best proprietary driver available.

I think you're severely short changing yourself by excluding NVidia and I urge you to do further research on the matter.

 

[ninadchaudhari]

Hi,
As far as 13" is concerned, its purely ur choice I love my 15" MBP
but i think 13" will be more portable!!

Now for GPU
I have never had problems with Nvidia with linux( ubuntu atleast) on my old Laptop !

also the GPU in the mentioned book is GT620M (as mentioned in the review )

And it is compatible with Linux
the drivers are available on Nvidia site


You can get them here :
http://www.nvidia.in/Download/

i just selected the GPU ur book has and here is the link for linux 64 english
you can just choose proper GPU from the drop down list and you will get respective drivers btw!

Spoiler

THis are for India, and Linux 64bit ,english: NVIDIA DRIVERS 295.59Certified

 

[Shane2943]

+1. Although I will add it's generally better to install the official drivers from your distribution's repository rather than compiling. If it's available in your distro's repo, of course.