Dell D620
I got a new notebook the other day, a Dell D620. The basic specs of the machine:
Intel Core 2 Duo T7400 (2.16Ghz, 4M L2 Cache) 2.0GB, DDR2-667 SDRAM 14.1 inch Wide Screen WXGA+ LCD Panel Intel Integrated Graphics Media Accelerator 950 100GB Hard Drive, 9.5MM, 7200RPM 8X DVD+/-RW Intel 3945 802.11a/g Dual-Band Mini Card
I’m using Gentoo Linux for the OS. I decided to go 64-bit and I’m pleased to say pretty much everything works. The only hardware I don’t have working is the modem (which I don’t plan to use) and the fingerprint reader.
I know Daniel Drake has been working on support for fingerprint readers. So there is hope I’ll be able to use that in the future.
I’ve got AIGLX running with Beryl and all the cool 3D effects.The only video issue is that currently I’m stuck at 1024×768. I can’t seem to get 1440×900. I’ve tried the 915resolution package but I’ve haven’t gotten it to work yet.
I haven’t tried to use an external monitor yet. I think I might need xinerama support, I’ll have to read up on that.
The wireless works great with NetworkManager in GNOME. The only complaint is that it seems to crash the ipw3945d daemon when I first login and then it can’t connect to anything. Once I restart ipw3945d it’s all good.
I haven’t attempted yet to configure the suspend/hibernate functionality. I need to do more reading on that too. Hopefully it’s not too much of pain.
I plan to run Windows in VMware Workstation, that way if I need it, I can use it. I’m holding off right now because I don’t want to buy another 5.5 license. It seems like 6.0 is coming soon so I’ll wait for that.
Overall, I’m really happy with this notebook.
Update: All the remaining issues have been resolved. I had the wrong mode on the 915resolution config that was an easy fix. Now 1440×900 works great. I fixed the issue with NetworkManager just by re-installing the wireless drivers. That works perfectly now. I also switched from gentoo-sources to suspend2-sources and now I’ve got the hibernate and suspend functionality working.