Acer laptops with Ubuntu Linux available now
I think this is a temporary offer only, and I don't have many more details than what is in the product page, but it looks like Acer is making a limited laptop series available now with Ubuntu Linux pre-loaded.You just have to go to a Dick Smith store and look for product code XC5822. The picture here is the same as the one on the site, but I am told it's not exactly the same as the model being offered.
They are some late 2004 Acer Aspire 4315-100508Ci models, based on an Intel Celeron M 540 1.86GHz Processor, 512MB DDR2 RAM, 80GB 5400 RPM SATA HDD, 14.1" Widescreen Display, DVD+CDRW Combo Drive, Intel Media Accelerator X3100 Graphics Card and wireless LAN.
The laptops are running Ubuntu 7.10.
What's more interesting is the price: NZ$699, making it a great value when compared to the ASUS Eee PC, which has only a 4 GB flash memory for storage and costs the same.
This should be a good introduction to Linux machines if you don't feel inclined to install this system on your own hardware.
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Comment by chakkaradeep, on 15-JAN-2008 22:13
Yep, I can see it online and its not available here at Dunedin, D'oh!
Comment by Chucknorris, on 15-JAN-2008 22:17
It is still available online by the looks of it....
According to the Acer cashback website it has a $99 cashback
Comment by chiefie, on 16-JAN-2008 08:12
And you're featured on Engadget.
Comment by Lee, on 16-JAN-2008 09:39
The notebook is a new pebble design, this was only released to the market six months ago.
It is not a 2004 model as stated.
The Model is retailing for $699 with a $99 cashback.
Comment by phlip baker, on 16-JAN-2008 17:52
Good point: I guess you can be sure all the hardware will work in linux
Bad point: Doesn't look like it has wireless so all the hardware will work anyway
Good point: Uses DDR2 and running Linux so you can get 4GB in there for another NZ$120
Bad point: doesn't have a DVD writer
Good point: uses a X3100 graphics core with a 1280x800 screen so you will be able to watch your 720p HD content no worries. mmmmm... wonder what the speakers are like?
Bad point: uses a X3100 graphics core so I wont be playing any games made in the last 5 years on this. Sims liv'n'large anyone?
Bad point: 5400RPM HDDs are slow!
Good point: 5400RPM HDDs are much faster than 4200RPM drives and this is a $700 notebook
Bad point: it's not going to be rugged enough for me to take down to the beach so I can do my quartly budget while watching the kids play
Good point: at $599 AFTER rebate it doesn't matter if it is rugged enough I'll just by two!
P.S. having a X3100 graphics core means this is a new laptop model not something from 2004. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_GMA#GMA_X3100
Comment by Philip baker, on 16-JAN-2008 18:09
Yes you are right, I've confirmed that at another site too. DSE doesn't list WiFi in it's specs so I assumed and looked stupid.
Question: Does it have gigabit LAN or just 100Mbit? I can't find detailed specs on it and Acer doesn't list it at all on the asia pacific site.
Comment by adamj, on 16-JAN-2008 20:44
If it has WiFi I think i'll get one for my sitting on the couch browsing the net machine. I've got an unactivated copy of Vista Business that I can throw on it and 512Megs of RAM sitting in the drawer
Comment by adamj, on 17-JAN-2008 13:09
Got mine about an hour ago along with an extra 1GB of ram. Its install vista now
Comment by adamj, on 17-JAN-2008 14:52
Oh and I can confirm it has WiFi. Its running Vista great with the extra ram. Better Experience Index than the desktop (Which is starting to show its age)
Comment by dave, on 18-JAN-2008 10:25
awesome, i hope they sell out. this story made lxer.net
Comment by AnonymousP, on 18-JAN-2008 15:39
Hey all,
It's got Gigabit lan, wireless does work, modem doesn't. DVD Combo drive.
It won't show 4GB of ram if you put that much in it due to chipset limitations.
-Regards,
AnonymousP
Comment by adamj, on 20-JAN-2008 15:48
I have one. It only have 100Mbit lan and Wifi B/G. Modem doesnt work under linux due to lack to drivers. Mine is running Vista business and it works fine. Even runs aero nicely.
Comment by Braelyn, on 19-FEB-2008 22:17
Good one! Love it..
Comment by Draco, on 26-FEB-2008 20:15
Available in South Island (Christchurch) too. Any idea where I can find drivers for XP for this laptop? Changing it over to XP from Ubuntu for a client. Vista is just too crappy, resource hungry, and plain daunting for some. Acer Aspire 4315.
Dont tell me to Vista it, coz I'm not that impressed with Vista at all.
Comment by David, on 6-MAR-2008 20:47
Just brought this laptop run vista well on 1.5gb Ram it seems to be a very good laptop for the price!
Comment by David, on 12-MAR-2008 18:41
Just pop into any Dick Smith store and place a customer order for it, stock is mainly in Wellington but will the store you order from should be able to get it in for you.
David
(a DSE employee...)
Comment by Faizal, on 14-MAR-2008 15:05
Hi All,
I just found the Aspire 4315 notebook from Acer doesn't have the modem drivers for Ubuntu. Did anyone else notice it or Can I find the driver for the modem ?
Cheers
Comment by Brad, on 19-MAY-2008 15:35
Picked up the same laptop in Gold Cost from Harvey Norman. Only cost A$400. Using it now. Great deal. Had problems trying to upgrade to 8.04 though. Computer wouldn't start with the new kernal and when I selected the old one it booted but had lost the wireless support. Oh well. Reinstalled 7.10
Comment by Bruce, on 13-JUN-2008 11:45
Hi,
Picked one up in Wellington yesterday on clearance for 600 +30 for memory upgrade. Also trying to get the 99 Cash back, not sure how that will go.
Works great out of the box, most used for surfing from the lounge. My other two machines are running ubuntu as well, I'm happy to leave ubuntu on it.
Comment by Robert, on 18-JUN-2008 21:26
Can anyone confirm if it is a DVD or just the DVD player CD Writer - cheers Robert
Comment by Galex, on 23-JUN-2008 08:57
This lap top is on Special until Tuesday [ 24/6/08 ] only at Dick Smiths - $399 after cash back. A steal at the price.
@Robert it has a DVD-ROM so reads only.
Comment by Galex, on 27-JUN-2008 19:23
If anyone wants to convert from Ubuntu to Windows, I have found a complete set of WinXP and Vista drivers for this PC on the
Acer europe site:
http://support.acer-euro.com/drivers/notebook/as_4315.html 
Comment by Rob Greenbury, on 16-JUL-2008 22:03
We got two.
Reloaded immediately with Unbuntu's Hardy Heron Alternative install CD, used the entire drive, i.e. scrapping the preloaded stuff. It was an absolute breeze - followed the instructions from http://www.hbclinux.net.nz/acer4315-804.html
Took no time and runs like lightning. No the Modem won't work, but who needs it anyway, the wifi and lan work great, and even the sounds better now. I got the mic working although it's very touchy. Don't load windows rubbish - Ubuntu hardy heron is sooo much better - all ways round.
You must follow the instructions on hbclinux's page listed above. It makes it all so painless.
Great Buy
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Comment by chakkaradeep, on 15-JAN-2008 21:57
hmm..today I was at Dick & Smith (Dunedin) browsing all the laptops (window shopping
)...didn't notice an Ubuntu laptop...