How do you rate this laptop with Linux?
This is a compatibility guide to running Linux with the Asus K42F laptop.
This page is just for discussing using Linux on the Asus K42F. For a general discussion about this laptop you can visit the Asus K42F page on LapWik .
For full specifications see the Asus K42F specifications page .
Name Asus K42F
Processor Intel® Core™ i5 Processor 520M/430M : 2.4 GHz - 2.26 GHz , with Turbo Boost up to 2.93/2.53 GHz ;
Intel® Core™ i3 Processor 350M : 2.26 GHz
Screen 14.1” (1366×768) Widescreen
RAM Up to 8GB
HDD 250GB to 640GB
Optical Drive DVD+-RW
Graphics Intel® GMA HD
Network 10/100/1000 Ethernet
802.11 b/g/n
Device Compatibility Comments
Processor Works out of the box
Screen Works out of the box
HDD Works out of the box
Touchpad Works Must use 2.6.34 kernel or newer, and identify elentech touchpad as synaptics touchpad within xorg
Optical Drive Works out of the box
Graphics Partially Working For hardware acceleration, must use 2.6.35 kernel or newer. No vsync, so all videos have noticeable tearing
Sound Works with modification Must install the alsa realtek sound codec to get sound from headphones
Ethernet Not Tested
Wireless Partial Seems to have issues with the ath9k driver. Maxes out at 80kb/s
USB Works out of the box
Card Reader Not Tested
Webcam Not Tested
HDMI Works Use lxrandr/xrandr to use HDMI out
You can enter any specific notes with running Linux on the Asus K42F here.
Due to the poor performance of the wifi, I would say that this laptop is not ready for linux use yet. Battery life is only a little less than that of windows (2.5-3.5 hours). Don't buy this if you were hoping to have a linux box able to play any sort of video, as it will look terrible due tearing even on the simplest videos.
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