Buying a laptop. (HP, Compaq, or Gateway)

[Mark A-J. Raught (from the laptop)]

Mark A-J. Raught (from the laptop) wrote:

> Greetings all,
>
> I am about to buy a laptop from Best Buy (18 months no interest is the 
> main reason I am going with them) My choices have come down to the 
> following 3:
>
> Gateway 7405GX (AMD 64 3200+)
> HP zv5320us (AMD XP-M 3000+)
> Compaq r3306us (AMD XP-M 3000+)
>
> While it would be cool to have the 64 bit machine, I am kind of scared 
> of the new technology in a laptop. I know sometimes it is easier to 
> turn lead into gold than get the latest and greatest to work on a 
> laptop.  So I am kind of leaning toward the HP or the Compaq. However 
> (you knew it was coming) I still don't trust Compaq (bad history with 
> them) so this leaves me at the HP. It seems to be a reasonable laptop 
> at a decent price.
>
> I am definitely not set on the HP, that's why I'm writing to the 
> mobile group, to get more info...
>
> On to the big problem; I can't find any info on any of the laptops 
> with FreeBSD. I checked the usual compatibility web pages, but 
> couldn't find these specific models and don't know what models would 
> be close. I am going today to play with a FreeSBIE CD, but I would 
> feel more comfortable knowing if I was going to hit any big roadblocks.
>
> Extra info: The laptop will be wiped (no windows please) and I will be 
> running FreeBSD. I have no problem replacing a miniPCI card if need 
> be, but obviously I can't do that with video (HP and Compaq both have 
> nVidia w/ unknow chipset) which is my biggest concern, or sound (not 
> that important, but it'd be nice).
>
> I have complete confidence that this laptop would work eventually, but 
> I would rather sooner than later.
>
> Please, if anyone has experience with any of these (or similar models) 
> please let me know. I will be buying soon (hopefully today or 
> tomorrow, within the week definitely) and would love to have more than 
> a FreeSBIE CD to tell me everthing will be alright. :)
>
>
> thanks,
> -mark
>
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I forgot to mention: I know HP and Compaq are together now, but they 
still have different brands for the time being. So my feelings toward 
Compaq still linger. It has been a while though...

-mark