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.

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Page Contents Authors Introduction Editing This Page Specifications Linux Compatibility Notes Related Resources Summary

Authors

Bill Giannikos (bill2 at giannikos.com.au)

Introduction

This is a guide to running Linux with the Toshiba Portege M500 laptop. The M500 is a small size laptop but still includes a screen with a high native resolution.

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Specifications

Name	Toshiba Portege M500
Processor	Intel Core 2 Duo T5500 1.66GHz
Screen	12.1" WSXGA+
RAM	1GB
HDD	60GB
Optical Drive	DVD+-RW
Graphics	Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950
Network	10/100/1000 Ethernet, Intel 3945 802.11g Wireless, Bluetooth
Other	3 x USB2.0, 1 x Firewire

Linux Compatibility

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	Not Tested
56K Modem	Not Tested
USB	Yes
Firewire	Not Tested
SD Card Reader	Not Tested
PCMCIA	Not Tested

Notes

As default the screen resolution of the M500 is 1280x800, however due to the way the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 functions this resolution would not be usable right away. You can view the Configuring the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900 & 950 guide for more information.

Related Resources

Preparing your laptop for Linux
Configuring the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900 & 950
Configuring the ipw3945 module for the Intel 3945ABG wireless controller
Increasing battery life

Summary

There were no problems in getting the Toshiba Portege M500 working when used with an up to date Linux distribution.

If you are looking to purchase this laptop you can visit Toshiba's Portege page.

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