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xRalf

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Silent laptop

Hi,

I'd like to buy new laptop, because my old is too noisy. I have to decrease frequency but when there is hot weather the fan is running all the time.
So, I'm looking for a laptop that is most possible silent the performance is not highest priority, but I prefer silent with good performance and I don't use Windows, so the laptop should have good hardware compatibility with Linux.

Could you recommend me some particular machines for my needs? I'm thinking about something from Dell, IBM Lenovo, Fujitsu Siemens or some other quality brands (not Acer).

thank you for help
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rindi
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Does it have to be a laptop or might it also be a netbook? Netbooks are usually less noisy than laptops because they use atom processors that get less hot. Apart from that some of them also come with SSD disks that themselves will also make no noise.

I'd check out the Asus site, they are even delivering some of their netbooks with Linux (although it's probably the new ubuntu with the terrible unity desktop).
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sirocco87

Here's a good place to start: http://www.linuxcertified.com/linux_laptops.html

Regarding the noise/fan issue: Unless you change the setting in BIOS or through a 3rd party utility (if it's even possible), the fan(s) on the laptop will go off when the temperature of the system/CPU goes past a certain point. Most cooling fans have variable speeds and will adjust accordingly to the temperature i.e. its not going to go full blast (or it shouldn't) if the laptop is only slightly warm (relatively speaking).

You might want to try a laptop stand (with it's own cooling fans) to see if it will help. You mentioned something about hot weather being the issue with the old laptop but it's also possible that the temperature sensor(s) might be malfunctioning. Another thing to try would be to open up the laptop, clear out the dust from the system (especially the fans) and if all else fails: reapply the thermal paste between the CPU and the heat sink.
> the laptop should have good hardware compatibility with Linux.
Check this website which list all the models have good success for Linux installation
http://www.linux-laptop.net/
For example, Lenovo:
  http://www.linux-on-laptops.com/lenovo.html
Dell:
  http://www.linux-on-laptops.com/dell.html
Fujisu:
  http://www.linux-on-laptops.com/fujitsu.html

Most of modern laptops are quiet. So just pick the model you like and search on the internet to see if any successful Linux installation on the particular model then go buy it.
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to rindi: It should be laptop. OS don't need to be preinstalled, important is the compatibility and driver support
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ASKER

to sirocco87: I know this Linux pages. Imporant is that some laptops are very silent and some are noisy, that's the fact. I'd like to here some recommendations for particular laptops that somebody uses and has good experience with the features I'd like to have.
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to wesly_chen: I'm asking experienced users instead of searching if particular laptop is silent. I believe that somebody has similar problem and already chosen some good one and can recommend it.
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wesly_chen
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I haven't had any issues with modern laptops and compatibility with Linux. Those I've used lately everything, including the WLAN, worked out of the box. Maybe it sometimes depends on the distro you use though. There are distro's which supports more hardware easily while others can have problems with very simple things.
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The price for Macbook has gone down a lot, now is averaging about $1000. :)