Hi,

This is a two-part question.

I want to buy a new laptop to install Linux on.  A good answer should
list models and links to their specs.

PART ONE
___________
Here are my requirements:

Athlon 64 (any speed)
Nvidia graphics (prefer 6000+)
Long battery life (4+ hours, the longer the better)

I'd prefer these too:
Linux-compatible sound, modem, touchpad, etc.
Linux-compatible integrated wireless (pref a/b/g or b/g)
PCI-express if possible
Major manufacturer (gateway, ibm, sharp, sony, hp, etc. more popular is better)

I haven't been able to find a model, and maybe one doesn't exist.
(btw, I know the AMD Turion will be in models this summer and will
increase performance and battery life, but I'd like to buy within the
next month or two.)


These are models I've looked at:

hp zv5000z/R3000z
sharp actius AL27
averatec 6240
emachines (various models)
acer ferarri (various models)
linux-certified LC2000 Series
gateway 7422GX

None of them have a battery lasting longer than 3 hours.

PART TWO
_________________
If I can't get an Athlon 64 system, I'd like a Sonoma system.  Even if
you find a qualified Athlon 64 system, please list the available (or
available within the next month) popular Sonoma models.  I'm also
looking for a linux-compatible review or test.

Sonoma chipset
6+ hours battery life
PCI express nvidia graphics (prefer 6000+) OR linux-compatible
integrated 3D graphics
Linux-compatible touchpad, sound, etc
Major manufacturer (the more popular, the better)

This might not exist either, but I'm hoping it does--I just haven't
done any research yet.

Please post any answer clarifications you think necessary--I'll try to
be prompt in responding, but I'm in no hurry to get the answer.

Thanks! -Kayle

---

Clarification of Question by kslays-ga on 05 Feb 2005 20:37 PST

I found a link that might be helpful for the second part.

http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=2174

#  Dell Inspiron 6000 (January)
# Dell Inspiron 9300 (?)
# Dell Lattitude D610 (?)
# Toshiba Dynabook VX 470LS (January)
# Toshiba Dynabook SS (MX & LX) (January)
# Toshiba Tecra A3 (January)
# Toshiba Tecra A4 (January)
# Sony VAIO FS Series (see picture below) (February)
# Sony VAIO A Series (February)
# Samsung X20, X25, X50 (February)
# Asus Z71A (February)
# IBM ThinkPad T43 (March)
# IBM ThinkPad R53 (March)
# IBM ThinkPad X41 (April)
# Fujitsu S6000 Series (March)
# Fujitsu S7000 Series (March)
# Toshiba Satellite M45 (January)
# HP ZT4000 (?)
# Compaq Presario V4000 (?)
# Acer TravelMate 8100 (January)
# BenQ JoyBook S52, S72, A82 (January)
# HP Compaq nx6120 (January)
# Gateway (February)

If I had a list like this for the Turion, that'd be awesome...

A nice reference:

http://www.linux-on-laptops.com/

Tecra A4 GMA900 3:15 (6-cell) 15.4wide 6.2
VAIO FS GMA900 2:30-5:30 (6-cell) 15.4wide 6.28lbs (6-cell)
     FS go6200 ?? 5:30 (6-cell) SATA No PCIx slot no MXM
Thinkpad T43 GMA900 5:00 (8-cell) 14.1 5.1lbs
	 R53
	 X41
Lattitude D410 GMA900 3:21 (?) 12.1 3.8lbs
	  D610 GMA/X300 4:09 (?) 14.1 4.6lbs
	  D810 X600 4:33 (9-cell) 15.4wide 6.5lbs
Inspiron 6000 GMA900 3:00 (6-cell?) 15.4wide 6.6lbs
Compaq nc4200 GMA900 5:00 (6-cell) 11:00+ (travel) 12.1 3.9lbs
Compaq nc6230 X300 2:49 (?) 14.1 4.8lbs
Compaq nc8230 X600 4:53 (?-cell) 15.4wide 6.2lbs
Gateway M460 X600 4:00 15.4wide 6.8lbs

My current favorite is the VAIO FS with the 6200, but Sony's linux
support is non-existent.  Grr.  Thanks for the linux-on-laptops
website.

Kayle