[wplug] Laptops

[Christopher DeMarco]

On Sun, Jul 10, 2005 at 08:03:49PM -0400, Dane Miller wrote:

> Retrobox has several IBM T23 laptops from $300-$450.  I found some
> webpages written about Linux on the T23 for CMU students... anyone
> on this list using a T23 with linux?  How does it work?

Several folks have implied this, I'll make it explicit: the T23 is a
frickin' GREAT little box.  I've run Linux on it since RH 7.3; current
2.6.10 kernel just fine.  If you've got the version with the onboard
Prism2, you're all set.

Problems: 

  - After pretty heavy use, my battery is now good for only about five
  minutes, less with the WiFi radio in use.

  - 128MB RAM is far too little, I'm considering buying 1GB for about
  $200.  But not without warranty support; so perhaps I should buy a
  spare or three from Retrobox.

  - Something became too flexible about 2 years ago, such that the
  nubbin depressing the "stay asleep" button (c.f. the spin-cycle
  controller on your washing machine) rapidly toggled
  sleep-unsleep-sleep while carrying the box.  Solution:
  nipple-removal surgery using my needlenose and file.

  - Something (I suspect ACPI) in newer (2.6?) kernels causes hard
  hangs "sometimes".  Heat-related?  Whatever, I've had 3-5 mobo
  replacements from IBM which haven't solved the problem and their
  techs insist that it never hangs for them.  Once the round tooit I
  bought on eBay arrives, I'll test kernels until it's resolved.

I don't want to dissuade you from buying what I consider the best
laptop I've ever used (other than newer ThinkPads of course!), only to
disclose my issues.  It's a fantastic machine, with no Linux driver
problems I've ever encountered - even thermal sensors work (although
I've never independently verified the readings).

If I dig up $700 spare I'm buying a hot-standby from Retrobox, 1GB RAM
and a new battery.  It's a fantastic amazing wonderful little machine.

Of course, if you can spare the cash go for the new X series
<drool>...


-- 
Christopher DeMarco <cmd at alephant.net>
Alephant Systems (http://alephant.net)
PGP public key at http://pgp.alephant.net
+1 412 708 9660
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