Linux and Open Source Blog

Category Archives: desktop & laptop pc

Everex Cloudbook – a worthy competitor to the popular Asus Eee PC

Posted on by Posted in desktop & laptop pc, hardware, review/preview/tests .

At $399, its an obvious competitor to the ASUS Eee PC. The Everex Cloudbook is intended to be a UMPC meaning that it is ultra mobile, easy on the battery life, and at least semi rugged. Everex calls this notebook “The Ultimate in Mobility.”

How about those specs:

  • 1.2 GHz Via C7-M Processor ULV
  • 512 MB DDR2 533MHz SDRAM Memory (maximum is 1 GB)
  • 30 GB Hard Disk Drive
  • 7″ WVGA TFT Display for 800×480 resolution
  • Via Unichrome Pro IGP Graphics
  • Via High Definition Audio
  • 802.11 B/G
  • One 10/100 Ethernet Port
  • DVI-I Port
  • 2 USB 2.0 Ports
  • 4-in-1 memory card reader
  • 0.3 MP Webcam (not a typo, zero point three megapixel)
  • Headphone/Line out port
  • Microphone/Line in port
  • Set of stereo speaker
  • Touchpad
  • 4 cell lithium ion battery
  • 2 pounds
  • Up to 5 hours battery life
  • gOS Rocket OS based on Ubuntu
  • Software includes Google Apps integration

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How to Secure Linux laptops for maximum security

Posted on by Posted in desktop & laptop pc, linux.com, security .

Laptop and notebooks are being stolen at an ever-increasing rate. In 2004, Safeware Insurance which sells computer insurance, estimated 600,000 laptop and notebooks a year were being stolen. In 2006 an estimated 750,000 were being swiped, according to Absolute Software a company that makes computer tracking products — and does not support Linux. LoJack For Laptops, another computer tracing company — which also does not support Linux — says FBI statistics show 2 million laptop and notebook computers were stolen in the US in a recent year. While the figures may not agree in detail, they all show that laptop and notebook theft is a major problem — and if you’re not careful, your Linux laptop might be next.

While you can find dozens of products to secure Windows laptops, security products for Linux laptops are scarcer — but they do exist. We found a range of products and fixes ranging from security patches for the operating system to encryption to the equivalent of computer bicycle locks which can help keep your Linux laptop or notebook safe.

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ATI Open-Source vs. Closed-Source Performance & AIGLX Performance

Posted on by Posted in desktop & laptop pc, hardware, open source .

For those that may have missed it, the ATI/AMD fglrx 8.42 display driver that was released last month had introduced AIGLX support. The open-source “Radeon” driver for ATI graphics cards going up to the R400 generation has supported AIGLX for quite some time, but the ATI binary display driver hadn’t until last month. However, one of the complaints about the fglrx implementation of AIGLX is that in the 8.42.3 driver, some are encountering slow performance in Compiz / Compiz Fusion. We have taken an ATI Radeon X800XL 256MB PCI-E graphics card, which is supported by both the Radeon and fglrx drivers, and have compared their Compiz performance in a few different scenarios.

ATI Open vs. Closed-Source AIGLX Performance

The system once again was running Ubuntu 7.10 “Gutsy Gibbon” with the Linux 2.6.22 kernel and X server 1.3, but with these benchmarks, the Compiz effects were disabled during testing. The hardware included a PCI Express ATI Radeon X800XL 256MB graphics card, Intel Pentium D 820 (2.80GHz dual-core), 2GB of DDR3-1333 memory, and an ASUS P5E3 Deluxe (Intel X38) motherboard. We had used Enemy Territory and GtkPerf as our vehicle for benchmarking the two drivers, since both benchmarks are compatible with the current Radeon driver. The ATI driver used was fglrx 8.42.3.

ATI Open vs. Closed-Source Performance 

Dell Preps for Next Linux Desktop Release

Posted on by Posted in debian/ubuntu based, desktop & laptop pc, hardware, linux/unix/os distros, news .

A major desktop Linux upgrade is set to be released on October 18. Michael Dell is expected to personally use it. And the PC giant will pre-load it on selected desktops and notebooks. Buzz about this next Linux release — dubbed Ubuntu Gutsy Gibbon — is growing across the web. But what exactly does Gutsy Gibbon (aka Ubuntu 7.10) offer to desktop customers and solutions providers? Here’s a look.

Canonical (the company that develops Ubuntu) has outlined a long-term road map for the operating system. During the UbuntuLive conference back in July, Canonical CTO Matt Zimmerman said Ubuntu 7.10 would feature several core enhancements for desktop and server users. On the desktop, 7.10 will support:

  • a 3D interface out of the box
  • multi-monitor configuration
  • laptop power profiling
  • more details still to come

On the server, 7.10 will offer:

  • Turn-key web administration
  • One-step server recipes
  • Proactive security with AppArmor, an increasingly popular open source security option
  • “desktop” type simplicity

So, what does that mean to Ubuntu resellers and customers? Quite a lot. Ubuntu moved from niche status into the spotlight when Michael Dell himself began running the operating system.

If Ubuntu 7.1o continues that positive buzz, it could help desktop Linux to gradually become a mainstream operating system. But don’t expect that to happen overnight. In an exclusive TechIQ interview with Dell’s Linux gurus last month, the company indicated that it would take a slow-and-steady approach to Ubuntu. Translation: Don’t expect Dell to throw marketing dollars at Ubuntu PCs just yet.

I do not expect that to happen for at least another year because Dell doesn’t want to over promise and under deliver to frustrated Windows users and small business owners who are seeking alternatives.

In the meantime, the countdown to Ubuntu 7.10 continues. And the buzz surrounding Ubuntu 7.1 will only grow louder as the upgrade’s October 18 launch date approaches.

PowerTOP – Check power consumption on Intel CPU’s

Posted on by Posted in applications/software, desktop & laptop pc, hardware, system .

I came across this little tool, which displays me many interesting information about power consumption on notebooks with an Intel mobile processor.
It will tell you how often the CPU is woken up per second and gives you suggestions on how you can improve it.

You can install it under Gutsy, don’t think it will be possible on a default feisty setup, with
sudo apt-get install powertop
and start with
sudo powertop