Comments on: Review: Dell Inspiron 1420N with Ubuntu

By: Costas

Costas — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 10:24:02 +0000

I’d just like to say that the version of libsmbios-bin (0.13.6) that comes with 7.10 (Gutsy) does include the dellWirelessCtl command, so no need to compile anything anymore!

By: Nasser Salem

Nasser Salem — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 03:18:02 +0000

Hey man,

Thanks for your good review. I am planning to install Ubuntu but I’m not sure what laptop to buy?! I am between this laptop you reviewd and the new black (or white) small mac (apple) laptop that comes with Leapord, I can’t remember the model number from the top of my head. I am also not a ssuper Linux user. What would you advice me? Thanks!!!

By: David

David — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 02:07:44 +0000

I ordered this notebook from the Dell website, with the integrated Bluetooth included. Sadly, I was informed after placing my order that the computer “would not work” with the integrated Bluetooth, and that Dell “was trying to remove” this option from the website (apparently, they need some technical assistance. Any volunteers?). No amount of pleading or explanation that I didn’t care if it would work or not didn’t help. After a long wait to speak to a supervisor, I was told the same thing, that “the system would not allow” the order to be placed with bluetooth included. With this and other customer service issues (my customer service rep was very polite but had difficulty communicating in english, for example, and thought I ordered a pc with Vista) my experience was frustrating. The laptop may be fine, but don’t expect Bluetooth to be available, and be prepared for confused customer service agents, should you need to talk to a live person.

By: Nate

Nate — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 01:31:28 +0000

This review says “I wouldn’t recommend this notebook for anyone who’s not a seasoned Linux geek.” I’m glad I didn’t see this review until today ,one month after I got my 1420N! I’m totally new to Linux, the few times I’ve tried to load it I could not make it work. I’ve been trying to get some alternative to Windows for years.(I even tried loading OS/2 warp on my IBM in 1996.) That’s why , bugs and all, I was still happy to have a Linux laptop offered by a well known and established company. It did bother me the screensaver didn’t work right out of the box , the Gimp program had no help file in english, and a few other annoying bugs but now that I’m able to start learning about Linux with this machine and the more I learn the more I like it! (This post was done, without wires, on a 1420n!)

By: suspend

suspend — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 06:04:31 +0000

Suspend also stopped working for me. Reinstalled ubuntu GG but nothing happened. Ended up flashing the bios and destroying the laptop in the process of getting suspend to work..

Killed by bios flash due to passion for ubuntu… but that’s ok .. Laptop was 7 years old..

By: cake

cake — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 05:13:01 +0000

this is my experience using WEP wifi on Fedora 1420
1. the module will not disconnect automatically if the line disconnected. you have to type “rmmod iwl3945″ to stop it & “modprobe iwl3945″ to re-start it.
2. wifi-radar can’t store the config of the WEP settings, you have to use “iwconfig” commad instead.
3. WPA does not work

By: cake

cake — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 15:48:43 +0000

I put fedora 8 (rawhide) in & seems it is not bad.
90% hardware function except build-in speaker, touchpad scrolling, & media hot-key.

I highly recommend a plugin for gkrellm – i8kutils (Dell i8k plugin)
http://people.debian.org/~dz/i8k/00-README
It works great in my Dell 1420 with its monitoring function

By: flo

flo — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 21:55:24 +0000

Thanks for the good review. That’ll make my decition much easier.
I’m gonna buy it!

By: Thom

Thom — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 11:13:07 +0000

I’ve had my 1420n for about three weeks now and it’s a dream come true. Everything just works with no muss or fuss, just like you’d hope from a pre-installed OS. Even the 3D works fine, which was one of the main issues mentioned in this review. It is very important to upgrade the OS right away when you get the laptop, using the standard Ubuntu update manager.

Here are the few minor glitches I’ve encountered:
* Sometimes can freeze when switching users
* Sometimes sound is lost after Suspend
* Sometimes wifi must be disabled/re-enabled after suspend.
* Not much luck with Desktop Effects, but who cares — it’s still experimental in Feisty anyway.

Everything else works perfect: Audio, Microphone, Touchpad (including scroll), Card Reader, DVD Burner, media buttons and other special buttons, status lights, Wifi… absolutely no hardware problems.

I’d recommend this to laptop to anybody, and under Gutsy it’s going to rock even more.

By: Eric

Eric — Sun, 09 Sep 2007 14:58:52 +0000

I’ve had mine about a week and it’s been fantastic. No problems w/ wireless or video. Working great and I didn’t have to tweak anything. I’d recommend this and way to go DELL for offering it. It’s great to have web, office apps etc from first boot up.