Best Mobile Precision for Linux!

What a great forum! Well well, I've been reading a lot about the M6400 and the M4400. I'm still undecided on what to get. A basic M6400 or a well loaded M4400, but that thread is already up right?

My main question is, what would be the best rig for Linux? For what I've been reading almost everyone is getting these computers because they are the best balance in features and quality while they also serve for gaming. That's why I have decided to narrow my search to these 2 specific models anyway.

Even when these computers come with RHEL 5.2 (Am I right?), I'd be opting for CentOS 5.2 64 bits, which is basically the same. Maybe Ubuntu 8.10 or OpenSUSE 11.1 for all my day-to-day needs and Matlab. Gaming is not that important but its a nice plus.

Who has tried one of those on these machines as hosts (not as Virtual Machines)??? From what I've read, the M4400 is ISV certified while the M6400 uses a desktop chipset to achieve its maximum of 16GB of RAM. Which one is the most reliable, stable, compatible machine?

I'm very interested on things that has to be taken in account before choosing wireless adapters, bluetooth, webcam, etc. I'm also planning to get an E-port Plus replicator, so any known issues would be appreciated.

I'm leaning toward the M6400 just because I can get cheaply 8GB (4 modules) and 2 hard drives for later upgrades. Not to mention the better video card which I also like as a plus. Size its not a matter, I'll be moving from work to home with the notebook but I'm always at a desk. But if the M6400 has issues worth to leaning toward the M4400, then let me know please!

I'd be also glad to know any other issue not related with Linux. For example, someone around here was writing down that the RGB LED display is not worth? And what about those WXGA+ screens on the M6400 with purplish colors? Overheating issues for any model???

BTW, are the RGB LED TrueLife displays on the M4400 matte screens??? or glossy screens??? Are the CCFL displays matte?

 

I have an M2400, and the ALPS touchpad is not currently supported in the linux kernel. Mine shows up as a 'Macintosh 3 button mouse emulation' and I have not been able to get it to work all that great in linux. You can adjust the mouse properties to make it work well, but then when you plug a USB mouse in, these same properties apply to it, and you have to re-adjust.

 

Thanks for the info Dillio. Is not that bad for me, I always use a mouse
Anyway nice to know.

Anyone know about the screens? I want to know what to choose to get a matte screen.

 

anything without "truelife" is a matte screen.

you sound like you appreciate the expandability of the m6400. you should go for that one then, especially since weight/size is not an issue

 

I have ran VMWare (OSX and also Ubuntu Guests) on E6500 which is very similar and it runs perfectly with great performance. I have 3GB Ram with only 1GB dedicated to the guest and it still runs well.