[CLUE-Tech] Buying a (cheap) laptop for Linux

[Weaver, Michael]

I am a Linux newbee and I want to buy a laptop which would be able to run
Linux. I really don't care much which flavor as long as it is a fairly
recent version and I can develop (mainly java) on it. I am considering the
Compaq 2500 and Dell 5100 based on price and features. Both have p4s and
both claim to use the ATI Mobility Radeon video.Radeon seems to be supported
by XFree86. It would be wonderful if someone out there has already tried one
or both of these systems and could let me know they work with Linux. Failing
that, could someone please point me to a good global group where I could ask
around. I have tried many internet searches and browsed a lot of mail and
pages to no result. I think these systems are just too new to have been
tried by more than a few persons.

On a tech note: This question may be to generic and unanswerable but will
increased video memory makes a big difference for XFree86? I use X mainly
just to run consoles, emacs, GUIs for applications and possibly a Java IDE.
I am not a heavy graphics user or graphics developer but like everyone I
don't like a sluggish display so I would willing pay more for a video memory
upgrade if it makes a difference.

Thanks