Date: Sat, 12 Dec 2015 20:05:59 +0600 From: Alexey Dokuchaev <danfe@nsu.ru> To: questions@freebsd.org Subject: Looking for AMD APU based laptop with good FreeBSD support Message-ID: <20151212140559.GA33436@regency.nsu.ru> Resent-Message-ID: <201512121527.tBCFR0nS058378@regency.nsu.ru>
next in thread | raw e-mail | index | archive | help
Hi there, As FreeBSD currently still lacks proper support for Haswell, I'm starting to consider if getting an AMD APU based laptop, while its CPU being slower than even i3, could be a viable alternative for the time being (provided everything else, including but not limited to suspend/resume, works fine). Requirements: 14", 4+ cores (or 2+ AMD modules), unsoldered RAM up to 16GB (2+ slots), no secondary (auxiliary, discrete) gfx card (AMD's internal graphics is good enough and I don't want another potential point of failure, standard SATA, gigabit Ethernet, WiFi, Bluetooth. Fully working suspend and resume: I can tolerate having to reinitialize network/sound card or Bluetooth stack, but not a reboot. Would be nice: good/easy disassembly and repairability, IPS screen or being able to replace default TN one, standard DisplayPort rather than proprietary HDMI, optical drive (to replace with HDD/SSD caddy), backlit keyboard, no webcam, no preinstalled Windoze. FireWire- or COM-port, unsoldered CPU -- couldn't be better. Candidates so far: 1. HP ProBook 645 G1: looking at the datasheet [1] it has almost everything I need, plus you can probably ask for Atheros WiFi chip instead of Broadcom. Socketed APU (FS1r2) means you can get a cheap A4 and replace with A10 at a better price than HP currently offers. 2. HP EliteBook 745 G2 and G3: got metal case, newer APU, but lacks CD/DVD drive, lighter than ProBook. I don't see Atheros option in the datasheet [2] anymore though, and it says "1 USB 3.0; 1 USB 3.0 charging" for G3 which is probably a typo (I hope) and there're still 4 USB ports total. But it's more expensive than ProBook, so overall option #1 makes a better choice ATM. Questions to the community: Did anyone have chance to try FreeBSD and perhaps compare these two models? Shall I avoid them for some reason (bad craftsmanship, inefficient cooling system, battery leaking current, etc.)? Are there other laptops on AMD APU except those HP's worth considering? Thanks, ./danfe [1] http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/newsroom/press_kits/2013/CommercialPPSFall2013/HPPr obook645G1NotebookPC_datasheet.pdf [2] http://www.hp.com/sbso/hpinfo/newsroom/HPElitePC2015/HPEliteBook745G3Noteboo kPC.pdf
Want to link to this message? Use this URL: <https://mail-archive.FreeBSD.org/cgi/mid.cgi?20151212140559.GA33436>