“I got rid of my Toshiba notebook computer awhile back because I
wasn’t giving formal presentations very often. That’s all I ever
used it for. Most conferences have islands of publicly available
computers for reading and responding to e-mail at a show. I use my
handy Palm V for most everything else I need, so I don’t take a
notebook to a show anymore unless I have to give a presentation.
You see, I hate notebook computers. I resent having to lug a
seven-pound machine across the country.”
“Unfortunately, I had to give a presentation on Linux-based
Web-development tools at PC Expo this year, and it looks like I
have a few more presentations scheduled in the next few months. So
I gave in and bought another notebook. I picked up a Compaq
Presario 1600 floor model. (Yes, I know you can get the cute, light
Sony VAIO to run Linux, but the CD-ROM drive wasn’t available
locally, and I needed a laptop immediately.)”
“After spending two days getting Linux to run, all I can say
is, “What was I thinking?” I know from experience that the most
troublesome hardware for Linux comes from Compaq. Over the
past few years, I have been able to install Linux quickly on just
about any hardware — from IBM laptops to bizarre no-name home-brew
computers. But I’ve always had trouble getting Linux to run on a
Compaq. Call it bad luck. Call it Compaq’s fault. I don’t know
which, but it’s the truth.”