Inspiron 8200 - Linux Distro?

[MrSanderzX]

I have been wanting to get into linux for a long time now. I have a extra Dell Inspiron 8200 laptop that I would like to make linux box for learning. I was wondering what is the best distrobution for this situation?

I have tried briefly: Redhat, Suse and Gentoo

The Inspiron is a standard 2.0 Ghz laptop, but I am using a Cisco Systems Aironet 350series PCMCIA wireless card with this system. Wireless will be the only form conectivity it has so I am looking for a distrobution to work out-of-the-box so to speak.

The closest I have gotten is wireless working off the Live CD, but after I exit out of the Live CD I can't get into a GUI or connect via my wireless card.

Anyway, I hope I don't get flamed or something for this question. Always worried when I ask a linux question.

Edit: That should have read - I hope I don't get flamed or something

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: MrSanderzX

Anyway, I hope I do get flamed or something for this question. Always worried when I ask a linux question.

You want to get flamed?

From what I read SuSE and Mandrake have sold out, and should work with plenty of wireless setups out of the box. If that's the 802.11b cisco chipset, it should work fine with most, if not all, distros.

 

[MrSanderzX]

802-11g

 

[drag]

Shouldn't worry to much, just don't type out in all caps, or argue about stuff you don't know about.

First place I check out for laptops is http://www.linux-laptop.net/

For your model you can check out other people's experiance with them at http://www.linux-on-laptops.com/dell.html

Your in luck. Your laptop is a very popular model... Read a few of those reviews and maybe that will help get you started.

Seems like it should work without to much headaches. Just be sure to use the newest version of whatever distro you choose.

 

[MrSanderzX]

Thank you very much. Just at glance I can tell some of these sites will help with some of my problems.