Linux on the Novatech X55

[stu_mcc]

Hi,
Has anyone managed to put Linux on this laptop, is there any hardware on it which is not supported?

Thanks for any information you can provide,
Stu

[Ammok]

I have just stuck unbuntu 9.04 on my other system. Found everything on it including a wireless dongle and all worked ok. U9.04 has a demo mode in it, so you could try it out from the cd-rom before installation. Soon see if if it had missed anything.

[candtalan]

It is easy to try it all out using a live CD (with 256 MB or more of ram). This is a full system, so you can see if your wireless works easily, printer etc. If you want to, this CD can also install it for you, as dual boot with Windows if you wish.

9.04 Ubuntu is pretty good and is certainly my favourite, although there are plenty of others to try also.

You can download from
http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download
let us know how you get on?
good luck

[stu_mcc]

Thanks for the replies. I haven't actually bought the laptop yet, I was hoping to find out if it was supported before buying as I use Linux exclusively. There doesn't seem to be much information about Linux on it around the net, though it is a fairly new model from what I can tell.

[Raumkraut]

I've personally not had any significant problems with running Linux on any system for years. So I bought an X55 speculating that it'd "just work". It did.

The only issue I've had is that the drivers for the built-in wireless card seem to have problems (a very slow connection) with 802.11b on the router here. Reportedly 802.11g is fine. I don't move the laptop around much, so I'm just using a wired connection instead.

Two thumbs good. :)

[stu_mcc]

Thanks for that Raumkraut, I'll be ordering one soon. Out of interest, what distro do you use on it.

Thanks
Stu

[Raumkraut]

I've been using Ubuntu Jaunty (9.04) since just before it came out of beta.
Before that I used Crunchbang on it, which itself is (or was) built on top of Ubuntu 8.10.

In fact, I set the machine up to have two Linux partitions. So I actually have both distros installed side-by-side for dual-booting (one for using, one for testing). Compared to my previous machine, I'm spoilt for hard-drive space at the moment! :D

[Pyke]

As an IT Professional with Micro$oft system.

For home - I'm with Ubuntu 9.04 and this is my main pleasure at home - pleased with everything - very smooth & snazzy graphics with compiz and get full functionality even with LCD projector for my presentation with this laptop - Novatech GT15 Pro version.

Also, Installed with Virtual Box for Micro$oft XP for Serif packages. Much more faster than I expected!!!!! From nowon the home PCs and laptop will be in Linux due to continue cost for licence fees, upgrade, AV subscription etc!!!! Also, less hassle i.e. freezing and crash - get no crashes at all!!!!! Unlike the XP & Vista!!!!

:p

[system7]

There's been endless talk about Linux compatibility on Nova's laptops.

Some say that Ubuntu Certification might be the way forward, but that with such a quick turn round of new models this is problematic. And a bit proprietory, if you ask me.

I'd settle for Nova just clearly specifying the main chipset, graphics chipset and audio and ethernet and wireless chips.

Most of us know what the troublesome ones are in Linux. Broadcom and SIS for one. :agree:

[candtalan]

"Some say that Ubuntu Certification might be the way forward, but that with such a quick turn round of new models this is problematic"

I would welcome the facility to try out (say ubuntu) on one or two machines occasionally at a Novatech location to verify compatibility. A pre arranged visit might be appropriate, to avoid busy times, and maybe allow appropriate staff to be around. A Novatech supplied or verified CD could be used if the person involved is not known to Novatech. Even a live CD operation would be valuable.

It would be fairly straightforward for the results of such tests to be summarised and informally published - here maybe.