Linux Laptop

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gregoriosw

Member
Since the configure laptop process has been hamstrung to say that Linux isn't compatible with every choice I make as noted below I'd just like to run past you guys whether my thinking is right for the Cosmos IV 17.3"

I am like to go with:

icore7 6700HQ
Hyper X 16GB Ram
7200rpm 750GB WD Black
Stock DVD RW
GT940
Stock card reader
Stock sound
Arctic Paste (not that it matters :-D)
AC8260 with gigabit lan and AC wireless and BT4
Stock USB
Stock power lead 90W as only GT940
Stock Battery
Stock touchpad
Stock keyboard
Stock webcam.

I cannot see any real issues here. I'll be running Fedora 23 so I will be running Kernel 4.2.
I can use Nouveau or nvidia drivers for the graphics.
The wifi appears to be on the intel linux supported list.

Can someone take a look for me and see if I am getting this all wrong or could press ahead because in reality there is no issue with the settings.
Many thanks
Greg
 
Stephen M

Stephen M

Author Level
PCS are looking at their Linux warnings, I have had a brief email chat with them, it seems to me at the moment they are trying to cover all bases and are being over-cautious. There have been a few Skylake issues, sound not working in Debian: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/foru...afit%E9-II-unable-to-change-screen-brightness
From the odd bits I have seen I think Fedora 23 may be OK but I would probably have a fish around the net to check. I haven't had time to really look at this site but know it can be useful: http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=search&q=Skylake
I am running Ubuntu on a fourth gen i7 and the one real issue was with the GPU, GTX970, when I upgraded to 15.10 the x.org drivers failed but switching to the Nvdia sorted it. My general impression is Linux is getting there with Skylake but as I don't have one and it is not my machine I don't want to give a definite yes. Sorry to be so vague.
 
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gregoriosw

Member
From looking around there appear to be quite a few examples of systems working with skylake and F23. Any further issues will be resolved with Kernel 4.3 which is due in Fedora 23 soonish. I think I am probably safe enough to get the laptop I have suggested as the relevant support is either in place or will be in place in time.
 
Stephen M

Stephen M

Author Level
Hopefully PCS will update there warning soon. I am unsure how many Linux users buy from PCS but there are a few on these fora and we only represent a minority of their customers. I do not think they are doing themselves any favours by frightening some potential Linux users away. I think seasoned users would be able to make a good decision, as you have, and go for it but when I first came to PCS I knew very little about Linux and may not have taken the risk. I also do not know of many/any other places in the UK that will sell without an OS and that saving represents a decent HDD like the 750GB WD Black or a 240GB SSD, which is a very good reason for us to buy from here and I think PCS should play on that.
 
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gregoriosw

Member
They really do need to play on that to be honest. Dell provide very fixed models, and cost the earth to get something decent. EBuyer HP machines that appear to be done in cooperation with Canonical are underpowered and fixed. Entroware look decent but their support is limited to a year. If PCS actually got the warning sorted or at least said what the issues are (plus there is an assumption that Linux means Ubunutu without PPAs not more cutting edge distros or Ubuntu with the 4.x kernel) in as much as saying "We've had reports that skylake needs an really up to date kernel so proceed with care" then it would be a start. I agree that the cost saving for not having to install Windows does allow better hardware that you'd never have considered getting otherwise, as I wouldn't have gone for the better RAM or the 750GB HDD if the Windows was being charged for. I shall give an update hopefully when I get the machine and try to get F23 on to it. Next job is getting my username changed on here to what I intended rather than what I typed. ;-)
 
Stephen M

Stephen M

Author Level
I look forward to seeing it. I doubt I shall be getting a Skylake as I got my last machine when the 17 4790 became available for laptops so it is still fairly new, so should easily see me through until the Cannonlake is launched, it will be interesting to see if there is much improvement with the smaller die shrink. Saying that I have been thinking about trying to put a small music studio together and I would probably like a desk top for that, so I may be getting something towards the middle of next year.
To be fair to PCS, they do listen to their customers and have been very helpful with all of my questions and I can see it would not really be cost efficient to employ full time Linux staff but there is nothing to stop the fora regulars offering some sort of support - I mentioned on another thread about the possibility of a sticky on the Linux forum where we could post the latest news, tips, work-a-rounds etc, I am sure they would be happy with that. Before the present warnings they used to suggest people looked as that forum.
 
S

StephenMyall

Member
Your configuration will be fine. One thing you might want to check with PCS for the cosmos is if the BIOS supports Secure Boot on/off toggle.
Some motherboards these days don't support this. Its not a Linux question so they should have no problem answering it.
 
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gregoriosw

Member
StephenMyall said:
Your configuration will be fine. One thing you might want to check with PCS for the cosmos is if the BIOS supports Secure Boot on/off toggle.
Some motherboards these days don't support this. Its not a Linux question so they should have no problem answering it.
Click to expand...

I will check. If not Fedora 23 works fine with UEFI so should still be able to boot.
 
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gregoriosw

Member
Just a quick update. Kernel 3.3 has really brought this laptop to life. With proper Skylake support there are zero problems with the above laptop and Fedora 23. Significant function keys work, graphics work properly. Just need to mess about with primus and bumblebee to get the nvidia card working. Despite not saying there appears to be an optimus arrangement in place with this laptop. Runs fast and smooth and is pretty stable as far as I can see. Since the Kernel update and the setup being properly supported it is an excellent latop.
 
Z

Zen42

New member
Would be kinda cool if PCS could tag there laptops to say that they work on linux (like PCS Works on Ubuntu 14.04, PCS Works on Fedora 23 etc). I'm sure people would be ok to volunteer testing setup's if they don't have the in house Linux skills (well i would, I'm a Linux sysadmin and have been for many years). All PCS would need to do is OK it and set up a framework of what classes as working, so a set of tests that must pass.

Just a thought ignore if you disagree
 
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gregoriosw

Member
I wish they would too. My Dell E5420 I suspect will be coming to the end of its life soonish, I will then be looking for something new. Optimus VII and Voyager III Pro both look useful for what I want. I eventually got as you see the Cosmos IV for my daughter working, so hardly a great chore. Some indication of what does and doesn't work would help, but having spoken to PCSpecialist there is very little interest, and the standard response is "we don't support Linux!"
 
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