Hello everyone, I have been thinking of getting a twinhead durabook or other semi-rugged laptop. I was just wondering if anyone has tried any of these laptops and if I would be able to run linux on it (since I am a recent linux convert - and dread the thought of going back to microsoft).

Any feedback would be appreciated, I still have a month or two to make up my mind on a laptop.

Thank you very much

Pat

I like the Hummer (I don't have one -- but here's a review)

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,1915788,00.asp

Only 3368

can you explain what makes a laptop semi-rugged vs. fully rugged? thanks

It looks to me as if Twin-Head (in Australia at least) has a Linux preinstalled model... Check out this link http://www.twinhead.com.au/product_detail.asp?productid=176&type=1

Just got a Durabook, and am trying to dual install Ubuntu. Yes, I'm keeping MS - if Linux doesn't even have OpenType font support, I can only imagine what else it lacks. But I would like to migrate off it eventually.

Twinhead USA tech support says that all Durabooks have been tested with Linux and have full functionality. However, when I try an Ubuntu CD install, it hangs up when it tries to decompress the kernel. My Knoppix Live CD just blanks the screen and hangs. Haven't found a work around yet, but then I'm a complete noob: The only other time I tried installing Linux, my BIOS couldn't handle the dual boot, and the manufacturer sent me the wrong update, so now the motherboard is toast (soldered-on BIOS chip, so I can't replace it), and I never did get to play around with it.

Semi-rugged vs. rugged? The Durabooks and low-end Toughbooks have magnesium-alloy cases, shock-mounted hard drives, spill-proof keyboards & speakers, etc, and are drop tested, but aren't sealed. The have air vents, unsealed adaptor ports, etc. A fully rugged laptop you can bury in the sand and let the tide come in, or leave outside in a snow storm. Or so they say. And you can drive a car over them. Much more expensive, though, and usually heavy.

BTW, I got a barebones Durabook N15RI, so I could choose less power-hungry (and less expensive) components: a Western Digital hard drive and Pioneer DVD burner. (You need to use the Durabook face plate for the burner, but it pops on easily enough. The cheap "patented" lock doesn't catch on mine though.) That way there's no MS tax either. There is evidently sometimes a problem with third-party memory, or so I've heard from OEM distributers, but you can still save $$ buying Samsung or Micron original compared to getting it pre-installed. And the CPU is a snap to install, just make sure you're electrically grounded so you don't zap it.

Well, I'll keep checking back here, and if I get Linux installed, I'll let you know.

Kwami

In case I left the wrong impression, the Pioneer drive with the Durabook faceplate and defective lock still works like any other drive. The lock is like a deadbolt - it keeps the port closed if you accidently hit the eject button. Without it, the drawer still latches closed like any other drive.

Rugged laptop specs and considerations (http://www.linux-on-laptops.com/rugged-laptop.html)