ssdclicktodeath, these are the recommendations based on my experience with
computer hardware:
- Try to look for a laptop that has a "without operating system" or "Linux"
label on it. The manufacturer tends to tune the hardware so it can be used
with multiple operating systems (in real life that means either Windows of
GNU/Linux)
- the internal wireless card can be easily removed and replaced by a FLOSS
compatible one. Beware, that as Chris said, some manufacturers tends to
implement a blacklist inside the BIOS that can prevent installing a wireless
card of your choice
- if you determine to replace the internal wireless card, you need to bear
in mind two things: they're existing in three different sizes, and that some
laptops has the bluetooth functionality integrated on the wireless card. Your
choice when buying a new card should be according these things
- some laptops has a separate bluetooth card integrated, while others has
the bluetooth functionality integrated on the wireless card
- avoid buying a computer with a combined microphone/line out jack input
'cause these tends to not work (proved on ASUS EeePC 1000PX)
- the integrated webcam on the majority of laptops are so poor quality, that
even when it's free software compatible you require to buy an external one
- some laptop's touchpad (like mine) tends to stop working after some time.
You can prevent this by adding the i8042.nopnp Linux kernel parameter to GRUB
(editing the GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX="" line in /etc/default/grub, or by executing
dpkg-reconfigure grub-pc from the Terminal)
- prevent buying laptop hardware that contains AMD or nVidia chips
If you have some other questions just ask.
