There are some certifications for laptops provided by Linux distributions and others. But
these certifications often are not quite useful.
Often they offer only a very rough estimation of Linux capabilities, e.g.
installation went well, X works, sound works. This doesn't consider
the caveats of Linux on laptops, let's say APM/ACPI, IrDA support and internal modem
support (often even some basics like sound are not tested).
Nor does it say anything about how much the hardware features
are supported by Linux, for example X works doesn't say anything
about acceleration or 3D capabilities.
If based on specific Linux distributions I consider these certifications as proprietary.
Hardware support
is provided by the Linux kernel, and the kernel is not provided by a specific
distributor. Though I admit some distributors are supporting the kernel development.
And very bad: all of the certifications I have seen, do not seem to be included into
the wellknown database
Linux on Laptops - LoL
.
For details about the specific hardware of mobile computers see the
Linux Mobile Guide - Installing, Maintaining and Tuning of Linux on Mobile Computers
. For PDAs there are no Linux certifications yet.
- Open Hardware Certification Project (not laptop specific)(http://www.open-hardware.org/)
- SuSE Laptop Certifications (by manufacturer)(http://www.suse.de/de/services/certified_hardware/)
For TuxMobil Linux Laptop, NoteBook, Mobile Phone and PDA Certifications contact the author.
Werner Heuser <wehe_at_tuxmobil.org>