*BSD News Article 64661


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From: Mitch Wright <mitch@oz.com>
Newsgroups: comp.unix.bsd.freebsd.misc
Subject: FreeBSD on laptop: suggestions wanted
Date: Sun, 31 Mar 1996 11:13:05 -0800
Organization: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
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Greetings!

   I'm looking to purchase a laptop in the next month or so.  Aside 
from running FreeBSD, I'll be looking to have it run Windows 95.  I
currently plan on running the Win95 for two simple reasons... the 
ability to test Win95 and various apps on customer networks and easy
access to windows based applications such as Excel.  As for FreeBSD,
I'm a long time UNIX hack and much prefer it for my everyday work.
In both cases, the machine will be connected to a network for a 
significant amount of time.

I've run around a bit and looked at various systems.  While I would
prefer a Pentium based system, I could probably get by with a higher
end 486.  Anything less would certainly drive me nuts when running
Windows95 apps.

The system I liked the most was the NEC Versa line.  Anyone have 
FreeBSD up and running on any boxes in this line?  These have the
front/side mounted trackball.  Awkward at first, but really nice
when you use it a bit.  How about the new Compaq or Toshiba boxes
with those large (10.4 and 11.0) displays?

I know there are issues with PCMCIA cards, so I am looking for
suggestions on which Ethernet, Modem, or combo cards to get.  I
have a Xircom which I used in another laptop (TI-4000m) which worked
fine under Win95, but I could never get it completely working under
FreeBSD.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.  If you'd kindly send them via
E-mail, I will gladly summarize.

-- 
do svidaniya,

  ~mitch

Mitch Wright
mitch@oz.com