This is a guide to running Linux with the Hewlett-Packard nc8430 laptop. HP's nc8430 is a high level laptop with some impressive specifications.
This guide is intended to provide you details on how well this laptop works with Linux and which modules you need to configure. For details on how to actually install and configure the required modules have a look at our guides section for distribution specific instructions.
| Name | Hewlett-Packard nc8430 |
| Processor | Intel Core 2 Duo T7200 2.0GHz |
| Screen | 15.4” WSXGA+ |
| RAM | 1GB |
| HDD | 100GB |
| Optical Drive | DVD+-RW |
| Graphics | ATI Mobility Radeon x1600 |
| Network | 10/100/1000 Ethernet, Intel 3945 802.11g Wireless, Bluetooth |
| Other | 3 x USB2.0, 1 x Firewire, Fingerprint Reader |
| Device | Compatibility | Comments |
| Processor | Yes | |
| Screen | Yes | |
| Optical Drive | Yes | |
| Graphics | Yes | |
| Sound | Yes | Use the snd-hda-intel module |
| Ethernet | Yes | |
| Wireless | Yes | Use ipw3945 module |
| Bluetooth | Yes | (2.6.20 Kubuntu, works with KDE stack) |
| 56K Modem | Not Tested | |
| USB | Yes | |
| Firewire | Yes | (2.6.20 on Ubuntu 7.04) |
| Card Reader | Yes | (2.6.20 on Ubuntu 7.04) |
| PCMCIA | Yes | |
| Fingerprint Reader | Yes | Works, opensuse/deb packages are available/can be created using alien. See http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=503928&page=2. Userspace module at http://www.ag-networking.com/ |
For the ATI Mobility Radeon x1600 graphics processor in the nc8430 you can use either one of the open source radeon module or ATI's proprietary fglrx module. Installation instructions for the fglrx module can be found on our Configuring an ATI graphics chip guide. Best results are obtained from the proprietary module since it provides 3D support.
There were no problems in getting the Hewlett-Packard nc8430 to function when used with an up to date Linux distribution.
If you are looking to purchase a HP laptop you can visit
HP's laptops page.

Alternatively, to purchase a laptop with Linux pre-installed you can visit
Dell's Ubuntu website.

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