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 Introduction Specifications Testsystem Linux Compatibility How I was able to run Skype 2.0 for Linux (Kernel Linux 2.6.22.17-0.1-default) Summary

Introduction

The Toshiba Satego X200-20O is a high end notebook with 17" display, strong graphics card, big HDD.
For a notebook It is rather big and heavy and can be used as full PC replacement.

Specifications

Name	Toshiba Satego X200-20O
Processor	Intel Core 2 Duo T7300, 2 GHz
RAM	2 GByte
Harddisks	2*120 GB
Optical	DVD+/-RW TS-L632D
Screen	17" Screen, 1440x900
Graphics	Nvidia GeForce 8700M GT
Network	Realtek RTL8111/8168B PCI Exxpress Gigabit Ethernet
Wireless	Intel PRO/Wireless 4965 AG or AGN
USB	6x USB 2.0
Firewire
Webcam	Chicony USB 2.0 Camera
Touchpad	Synaptics SynPS/2
Fingerprint Reader	SGS Thomson Microelectronics
5-in-1 Multimedia Card Reader	SD/MMC/MS/MS PRO/xD
Sound	Intel 82801H (ICH8 Family) HD Audio Controller
Modem

Testsystem

OpenSuSE 10.3 under KDE 3.5.7 (2007-11-01)
(Proprietary software repository needed for some drivers)

Linux Compatibility

Device	Compatibility	Comments
Processor	yes	speedstep also works
Screen/Graphics	yes	With the Nvidia drivers this works very good. (Including 3D, even if SAX doesn't say so)
Optical Drive	yes	Reading/writing works
Sound	Ok	Best results via alsamixer (not with KMix). Skype worked (see below).
Ethernet	yes
Wireless (WLAN)	yes
Bluetooth	not tested
Modem	not tested
USB	yes
Touchpad	yes
Firewire	not tested
PCMCIA	not tested
Webcam	yes
Fingerprint Reader	yes	After "modprobe uinput" I was able to use "tf-tool"
5-in-1-Media card reader	yes	a 1 GB SD card was detected automatically, a Sony Memory Stick was not detected
Suspend to Ram	doesn't work
Suspend to Disk	doesn't work	does suspend, but no correct restore
CPU/GPU-Fan	works	quite loud when heavy work is in progress, but quiet enough if in energy-saving mode. Yet some noise from fans or harddisks always remains.
Power consumption	ca. 30 W when idle

How I was able to run Skype 2.0 for Linux (Kernel Linux 2.6.22.17-0.1-default)

I finally succeeded in hearing my voice in the testcall :-)

I did first use krecord and alsamixer to find out the useful mixer settings which are not obvious at all.

In krecord I used the "Frequency Spectrum" view in Log-Setting. That's the most likely way to see any effect immediately.

Using alsamixer I saw two "Capture" levels: The right one was the direct connection to the speakers, but without any effect for capturing. I found it best to turn the level down or mute it alltogether. The left one was important, but it only worked when the level was not 100%. (e.g. 97% was fine. This seems to be a bug in the drivers.)
Also important was the input source. (Again there are two of them, and again the left one was the important one.) The value "Front Mi" enabled the internal mic of the notebook. The value "Mic" enabled my external mic.

Now I saw a reaction in the frequency spectrum view and was able to record and play something via krecord.

But still skype would not work. The audio options for "Sound in" showed "Default device".
I then started to try all available devices and found one that worked for me: "HDA Intel: (hw: Intel, 2)".

For "Sound out" the "Default device" worked. In alsamixer I turned "Front" and "PCM" to maximum for best results.

I also disabled allowing skype to adjust mixer levels. (But this might not be necessary.)

Summary

I'm quite happy with the Toshiba-Satego.
The only weak spot that annoys me is suspend-to-ram/disk.

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

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