Hello,

so I'm looking at getting a new notebook. I've been using linux exclusively for a few years, and using it otherwise for longer. I consider myself a reasonably advanced user, and don't mind having to do some manual configuration to get things to work.

The Sony VIAO FW series caught my eye (right now the model number I'm looking at is VGN-FW390.) it seems to be pretty nearly exactly what I'm looking for, and the main purpose of this post is to ask what issues people have had with the notebook. I'm mostly interested in issues getting the various parts of it to work with linux, but general hardware issues are of interest as well. Obviously since I won't be running windows I don't care about anything specific to that operating system.

Also, if people feel like suggesting other laptops to me, I'm certainly interested. here's what I'd be looking for:

-14" - 16" Screen (preferably widescreen, though I haven't seen much else recently.) with at least 1440x900 resolution, higher is preferable

-hardware generally compatible with linux, preferably with free drivers.

-power management should work well with linux. things like software brightness control are less of an issue, but suspend not working is a problem.

-nice touchpad & keyboard

-SD card reader would be nice, but not mandatory. same for a webcam.

-the machine DOESN'T have to be a beast. as long as it's reasonably responsive in KDE, I'm fine. I don't do much that's all that demanding.

-Should run reasonably cool. I like to actually use my laptop on my lap.

Thanks in advance.

Sony in general last I heard tend to be a bad mix with Linux. Their proprietary hardware and nature mean that it doesn't play well often.

Seablade

True, but there are many links dedicated to Linux/Ubuntu on this FW series, with good results.

Plus, taking that Linux users have a large base of community support.

cheers ...