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 Related Resources Summary

Introduction

This is a guide to running Linux with the Asus W5A laptop. A small sized laptop, the W5A is well suited to carry around. It also has excellent Linux support making it a good laptop to use with Linux

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Specifications

Name	Asus W5A
Processor	Intel Pentium-M 740 1.73GHz
Screen	12.1" WXGA
RAM	512MB
HDD	60GB
Optical Drive	DVD+-RW
Graphics	Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900
Network	10/100 Ethernet, Intel 2200 802.11g Wireless, Bluetooth
Other	3 x USB2.0, 1 x Firewire, Webcam

Linux Compatibility

Device	Compatibility	Comments
Processor	Yes
Screen	Yes
Optical Drive	Yes
Graphics	Yes
Sound	Yes	Use the snd-hda-intel driver
Ethernet	Yes
Wireless	Yes	Use the ipw2200 driver
Bluetooth	Not Tested
56K Modem	Not Tested
USB	Yes
Firewire	Not Tested
SD Card Reader	Not Tested
PCMCIA	Not Tested
Webcam	Not Tested

Notes

The native resolution of the Asus W5A notebook is 1280x800, however due to the way the Intel GMA 950 works this resolution would not be immediately available. You can view the Configuring the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900 & 950 guide we have provided for more details.

Related Resources

Preparing your laptop for Linux
Configuring the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900 & 950
Increasing battery life

Summary

The Asus W5A works very well with Linux. Installation was quite simple and using the laptop under Linux was not an issue at all.


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