[ltp] T40 / Pentium M and Linux

[Richard]

Dear Derek,

One thing you can do is try out Knoppix (www.koppix.net) as a means of
testing the machine. It's a bleeding edge distro, which runs from CD ROM.
So, you could test the thinkpad in a shop, or when it arrives without the
need to "damage" anything. You'd then have a better idea whether it works,
without making it unreturnable.

Hope that's slightly useful, even if it doesn't directly answer the
question.

Regards

Richard








On 26 Mar 2003, Derek A. Rogillio wrote:

> Hello everyone,
>
> I'm in a situation where I either need to spend a considerable amount of
> money to repair my T21, or purchase a new machine.  I'm seriously
> considering both the T23 and the new T40.
>
> The T23 has the advantage of being known to work well with Linux, much
> like my current T21.  On the other hand, the T40's advantages over the
> T23 speak for themselves.  Unfortunately, I can't find anything on the
> web about Linux on the T40.  I suppose this has a lot to do with the
> IBM's lack of shipment of these machines yet.
>
> Has anyone loaded Linux on a T40 yet?  It appears that sound and video
> are supported, but that's about all I can tell about it.
>
> According to Intel, the Pentium M supports an "advanced SpeedStep"
> function, but I can't tell whether this will respond the same to the
> normal SpeedStep functions.  I'm also unclear if the 855PM chipset
> requires additional kernel level support.
>
> The model I am interested in includes the Phillips 802.11a/b wireless
> card, but I can't find anything about Linux drivers for it.  The same
> goes for the on-board Gigabit Ethernet NIC.
>
> Finally, I'm trying to determine whether the T40 supports APM, ACPI, or
> both.  One of the greatest advantages of the T-series over the
> competition is IBM's continued support of APM and suspend/resume in
> BIOS.  Does anyone know if this carries over to the T40?
>
> Normally, I'd let someone else live on the bleeding edge before jumping
> on a new laptop with an unproven processor, chipset, and peripherals.
> Unfortunately, the hardware problems with my current T21 are forcing me
> to do something fairly quickly.  I'd also hate to purchase a new T23 if
> the T40 follows in IBM's traditional spot of near-seamless support of
> Linux.
>
> Any help you can provide would be appreciated!
>
> --
> Derek Rogillio
> dereklist (at) rogillio (dot) net
>