This guide is intended to provide you details on how well this laptop works with Linux and which drivers you need to configure. For details on how to actually install and configure the required drivers have a look at our guides section for distribution specific instructions.

Page Contents Introduction Editing This Page Specifications Linux Compatibility Notes Graphics Wireless Summary

Introduction

This is a guide to running Linux with the Acer Ferrari 5000 laptop.

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Specifications

Name	Acer Ferrari 5000
Processor	AMD Turion 64 X2 TL-60 2.0GHz
Screen	15.4" WSXGA+ Widescreen
RAM	2GB
HDD	160GB
Optical Drive	DVD+-RW
Graphics	ATI Mobility Radeon X1600
Network	Ethernet, Atheros 802.11abg, Bluetooth

Linux Compatibility

Device	Compatibility	Comments
Processor	Yes
Screen	Yes
HDD	Yes
Optical Drive	Yes
Graphics	Yes
Sound	Yes
Ethernet	Yes
Wireless	Yes
Bluetooth	Not Tested
Modem	Not Tested
USB	Yes
Firewire	Not Tested
Card Reader	Not Tested
PCMCIA	Not Tested

Notes

Graphics

The ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 is supported by most current Linux distributions for 2D modes. If you want to take advantage of its 3D capabilities you will need to install the proprietary fglrx driver. See the guides section here for details on how to do this.

Wireless

The wireless controller uses the madwifi driver. Many Linux distributions include this as standard however see our guides section for details about other distributions.

Summary

Unlike most AMD based laptops this one uses the Atheros wireless controller rather than a Broadcom based one, this make wireless support on Linux much better. If you select a Linux distribution which includes the madwifi driver as standard you will have no problem with the Acer Ferrari 5000.


Have you installed Linux on this laptop? If so how about leaving a comment about your success in the comments section below.