Alex's IBM Thinkpad iSeries 1161-237

Install Linux Slackware 10.2 on IBM ThinkPad iSeries 1161-237

CPU	Intel Celeron 499.041 Mhz	[ OK ]
Graphic Card	VGA Compatible	[ OK ]
Hard Disk	Hitachi ATA 6GB	[ OK ]
Screen	13" LCD	[ OK ]
RAM	64 MB	[ OK ]
CD-ROM drive	ATAPI 24x CD-ROM, 128kB Cache	[ OK ]
Ethernet	No Ethernet Card	[ NO ]
USB ports	2 USB 1.1 ports	[ OK ]
Battery	NiMH - 48000 mWh	[ OK ]
Screen Output	Screen Output	[ NT ]
PCMCIA driver	PCMCIA driver	[ NT ]
Parallel Port	LPT	[ OK ]
Modem	AC'97	[ NT ]
Audio	AC'97	[ OK ]

This is a good laptop, even if it's quite old. So forget running heavy programs, games, etc. I advise to use most the console and as Windows Manager a light one: I run Fluxbox, and it works good for me. If you want to read, writing notes, then this laptop is for you. I had problems installing Slackware. First of all, the drive can't read well CD-RW, so don't put Slackware installation ISOs on CD-RW. Then I can't install lilo. So I had to install grub with a live-cd (knoppix is good).

CPU

Intel Celeron 499.041 Mhz

It works fine. It hasn't so huge power, but it's enough for base desktop programs. The pros are that it doesn't heat, it doesn't make noise and the battery lasts for much time.

Graphic Card

VGA Compatible: Silicon Motion, Inc. SM712 LynxEM+

Well, the graphic isn't so good, but however it's enough for this laptop's needs. I had not to modify xorg.conf, it already started with 800x600.

Hard Disk

Hitachi DK23AA-60, ATA 6GB

The Hard Disk is a bit too noisy, but however it's good and works fine.

Screen
13" LCD

The Screen is very small, it has only a resolution of 800x600: it's the annoyest thing in this laptop. If you work with the shell, it's enough, but if you want to work with X, 800x600 aren't enough anymore.

RAM
64 MB

The RAM isn't enough. In fact it is occupied all only during the boot. I reccomend a big swap partition.

CD/DVD-ROM drive
ATAPI 24x CD-ROM, 128kB Cache

The drive doesn't work well: it has a lot of problems reading CD-RW.

Ethernet

This laptop hasn't got a LAN Card. I had to buy an USB Adapter (NETGEAR FA120) that works good.

USB ports
2 USB 1.1 ports

They work fine.

Battery
NiMH - 48000 mWh

The battery works fine. It lasts about one hour if you read or work on the console. It's a NiMH one, so remember to discarghe and recharge it completely.

Screen Output
Screen Output

Not tested.

PCMCIA drive
PCMCIA drive

Not tested.

Parallel Port
LPT

It works fine. I tried it with an EPL-3000 printer laser (year 1991) wich works with the HP Laser Jet driver (ljet3).

Modem
Intel Corporation 82440MX AC'97 Modem Controller

Not tested.

Audio
Audio - Intel Corporation 82440MX AC'97 Audio Controller

It works good.