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.

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Page Contents Author Introduction Editing This Page Specifications Linux Compatibility Notes Related Resouces Summary

Author

Bill Giannikos (bill2 at giannikos.com.au)

Introduction

This is a guide to running Linux with the Asus G1S laptop.

Editing This Page

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Specifications

Name	Asus G1S
Processor	Intel Core 2 Duo T7500 2.2GHz
Screen	15.4" WSXGA+
RAM	2GB
HDD	200GB
Optical Drive	DVD+-RW
Graphics	NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT
Network	10/100/1000 Ethernet, Intel 4965 802.11abgn Wireless, Bluetooth
Other	4 x USB2.0, 1 x Firewire, Webcam

Linux Compatibility

Device	Compatibility	Comments
Processor	Yes
Screen	Yes
HDD	Yes
Optical Drive	Yes
Graphics	Yes	See notes below
Sound	Yes	See notes below
Ethernet	Yes
Wireless	Yes	See notes below
Bluetooth	Yes
56K Modem	Not Tested
USB	Yes
Firewire	Not Tested
Card Reader	Yes
ExpressCard Slot	Not Tested
Webcam	Partial	Works with the linux-uvc driver, but quality doesn't seem good

Notes

Most Linux distributions don't support the GeForce 8600M GT in the Asus G1S until you install the proprietary nvidia driver. See the guide below for instructions on how to do this. Newly release distributions should be able to support this card in 2D mode, but the proprietary drivers are needed for 3D support.

The Intel 4965 requires the iwlwifi driver. This driver can be very difficult to install depending on the kernel and distribution you are using. Currently Ubuntu 7.10, Mandriva Linux 2008 and OpenSuSE 10.3 support this controller as standard. Have a look at the 4965 guide below for a up to date list of distributions which support this controller as standard and also instructions for distributions which don't support it fully.

Again depending on the distribution you choose to use the audio system may not function. In this case you will need to install at least version 1.0.15rc3 of the ALSA drivers. Sound with Ubuntu 7.10 works fine.

Related Resouces

Preparing your laptop for Linux
Configuring a nVidia graphics chip
Configuring the audio
Configuring the iwl4965 driver for the Intel 4965AGN wireless controller
Increasing battery life

Summary

As long as you use a very recently released Linux distribution (such as Ubuntu 7.10), the Asus G1S works just fine with Linux. The webcam doesn't work that great at the moment but the linux-uvc drivers are constantly improving.


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