Subject: [Q] recommending a laptop
To: None <port-i386@NetBSD.ORG>
From: Ken Wellsch <kwellsch@link.link-systems.com>
List: port-i386
Date: 02/06/1998 12:28:15
Wanted: Laptop recommendations for NetBSD 1.3 that supports X and PCMCIA

Okay, I thought, why can't I take our company NetBSD environment to trade
shows for demos instead of struggling with bad phone lines and such? So
I wonder what laptop can I buy that isn't too expensive and that NetBSD
1.3 will run on - with the major condition that I can also use a supported
PCMCIA Ethernet card and the video is supported by XFree86.

I really preferred not to have to buy a laptop.  The company has a couple
already; an old Canon model and a newer Toshiba model.  But when I booted
the NetBSD 1.3 install disk on the Canon, it didn't even see the PCMCIA
slots let along the 3COM 3C589D card.  While on the Toshiba, all is well
until I make the fatal move of ifconfig'ing the card up and the machine
wedges permanently (i.e. I have to power cycle to revive it).

I dropped by a 2nd hand store here in Tampa - the only thing they had
that I was interested in was a much older 486DX4 IBM Thinkpad - other
than a "stray intr 7" message it at least did not hang when I ifconfig'ed
the card.  Alas it was far too much money for the age and really doesn't
have a future for me (I would prefer a Pentium >100).

So, this is what motivates my question.  Can anyone tell me what laptop
I can run that gives me the same environment as I get so easily with most
any old i386 desktop box?  i.e. that supports XFree86 and a variety of
PCMCIA cards...

-- Ken Wellsch
   kwellsch@link-systems.com

P.S.  I do realize that PCMCIA support is very new - even more of a
      reason for me to ask what works I think.