I plan on getting a laptop to run i386 port of netbsd. It will probably
   be a dual boot machine (linux and netbsd :-).

   Are there any really bsd-unfriendly companies I should stay away from?
   I'd like to run x on it, so I want to avoid odd-pointer devices. I am
   capable of/willing to recompile kernels, so I suppose as long as the
   pointer can be supported in a standard distribution, then it will be
   fine.

   Most laptops sold include various modem or ethernet pc cards. The
   ethernet I'm not too worried about; it will probably be a 3com
   something or another. Any modem that might be problematic?

   Finally, I'd like the suspend to disk type power-saving to work :-)
   Experience one way or another would be greatly appreciated.

   Any other hardware-type gotchas would be appreciated.

   WL



Hello...

This is my two cents only.

I recently got a Toshiba Portege 3015.  The stock kernel booted without
any problems and installing was not an issue.  As far as I can tell, all
of the devices are supported, including the sound and MIDI chip.  The
machine came with a real 56K PCMCIA modem card with works without any
issue.  [I have not actually tried using the APM sleep or suspend modes,
however]


Downside:

Apparently you can't buy a Toshiba computer without also paying for
MS-WINDOWS.  Basically, this amounted to a tax for me, as MS-WINDOWS was
removed from the disk and never actually executed.  The Master License
Agreement ties the software to the hardware.  It basically says that if
you don't want the software you can return the hardware for a refund.

This is a very light weight machine, but the battery life seems a little
short with about 1.5 hours on the stock battery.  The high density battery
is suppose to last twice as long.





Brad Spencer - brad@anduin.eldar.org   http://anduin.eldar.org
[finger brad@anduin.eldar.org for PGP public key]