[LUNI] Laptop component recommendations

[Larry Garfield]

Hi folks.  I am on the verge of *gasp* buying a laptop.  Naturally since I'm 
asking this list about it my intention is to run Linux on it, exclusively, 
specifically Kubuntu. Because laptops can be tricky beasts 
compatibility-wise, though, I wanted to get some second opinions before 
actually spending money on it.

Right now I'm leaning toward a Thinkpad T61.  Part of that is the Thinkpad 
reputation, part of that is I'm a weirdo who likes the pointing stick. :-)  
My understanding is the Thinkpads also have a good Linux track record.  I 
also spec'ed out a similarly equipped Thinkpad and HP laptop and they were 
within $10 of each other, so there doesn't seem to be much of a premium.

However, I still would like to see if anyone has experience with some of the 
options on it:

- The T61 offers either an Intel X3100 graphics chip or an nVidia Quadro NVS 
graphics chip.  According to what I've found, the nVidia version runs with 
the usual nVidia caveats: Great chip, works wonderfully in 3D, but only with 
nVIdia's proprietary driver.  The Intel chip, though, seems to have Free 
driver support right in Xorg.  True?  How is the 3D?  I'm not an avid gamer 
but something that can show off Compiz or be a viable LAN Party system (yes 
on Linux, I've done it) would be nice.  

- The sound chip is an AD1984 (oh what a model number...), which thinkwiki.org 
says only works with various kernel patches.  True?  It's surprising to see 
something like sound not "just work" these days.  Has anyone gotten sound to 
play nice with a T-series?

- It appears to offer an Aetheros-based a/b/g WiFi chip or an Intel a/b/g/n 
WiFi chip.  I've had very good experience with Aetheros chips before "just 
working" with GPLed drivers, but haven't used the Intel chips.  I really 
don't want to dick around with ndiswrapper if I can avoid it.  Any experience 
with things like Free drivers, WPA support, etc?

- Is the Bluetooth Linux-friendly, again preferably with Free drivers?  I'm 
planning to get a Bluetooth mouse to go along with it, so Bluetooth really 
does have to work. :-)

- Perennial problem power management: Good, bad, or ugly?

- Any other comments, good or bad, on running recent Thinkpads Linux-only?  I 
do want to use as much Free Software drivers as possible, for both pragmatic 
and philosophical reasons, but I'm not Free-only.

A few places, such as EmperorLinux.com, sell rebadged Thinkpads with Linux 
pre-installed.  From what I've seen, though, their markup is on the order of 
$1000.  At that price I'd rather just pay the Windows tax and take my chances 
on being able to "refund Windows".  I already figure I'm voiding the software 
warranty by installing Linux, so I may as well go whole-hog. :-)

Thanks in advance for any advise on helping me spend money!

-- 
Larry Garfield			AIM: LOLG42
larry at garfieldtech.com		ICQ: 6817012

"If nature has made any one thing less susceptible than all others of 
exclusive property, it is the action of the thinking power called an idea, 
which an individual may exclusively possess as long as he keeps it to 
himself; but the moment it is divulged, it forces itself into the possession 
of every one, and the receiver cannot dispossess himself of it."  -- Thomas 
Jefferson