Looking for AMD APU based laptop with good FreeBSD support
Alexey Dokuchaev <[email protected]>
| Newsgroups | gmane.os.freebsd.devel.mobile |
|---|---|
| Message-ID | <20151212140559.GA33436__24378.8592670628$1449934009$gmane$org@regency.nsu.ru> |
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 _______________________________________________ [email protected] mailing list https://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-mobile To unsubscribe, send any mail to "[email protected]"