Hi all, I am a engineer/programmer (fortran,C++) with some experience in system admin, but not nearly to the level of the people on this list. I'm looking into buying a new computer system and would like the opinion of someone on this list how difficult they think it would be to set up with Suse. I've used numerous versions of Mandrake before and am now looking to try something better. I've never compiled a kernel or added a patch before, but would not be afraid to try it. Mostly, I'm worried about 3D accelerated video card support for some of the graphics intense applications I run. OK, here's the computer (from www.hypersonic-pc.com). It's an AMD64 laptop system for about $3100. 1 Type II PCMCIA PC Card Slot 4 USB 2.0 ports, 1 Mini IEEE 1394 Firewire port, and 1 Parallel port Built-in 3-in-1 Media Card Reader for SD/SM/MMC HyperSense™ Advanced Remote Diagnostics Aviator AX6 in Metallic Silver with Graphite Accents 3400+ AMD Athlon™ 64 DTR Processor w/ PowerNow!™ Tech. (800MHz FSB) VIA K8T800 + VT8235 Chipset Mobile Motherboard for AX6 512MB PC3200 DDR400 RAM SODIMM 512MB PC3200 DDR400 RAM SODIMM ATI Radeon Mobility 9600 Pro 64MB (w/ TV Out) Guaranteed No Dead Pixels 60GB 7200rpm Ultra ATA Hard Disk Drive w/ 8MB Cache 8X DVD / 24X-10X-24 CD-R/W Combo Drive w/ Recording Software 15.1" SXGA+ High Contrast Active Matrix LCD Display (1400x1050) Built-in Sound Blaster Compatible Audio (AX6) Integrated 10/100 Fast Ethernet Controller Internal 802.11a+b+g Triband Wireless Mini PCI Network Adapter Integrated V.92 56K Fax/Data Modem MS Windows XP Professional SP1 CD & Manual Pre-Installed & Configured Targus USB Mobile Port Replicator with Ethernet 1Year 24/7 Toll-Free Tech Support Platinum Service & Lifetime Support Any insights you have would be appreciated. Thanks again. Ryan -- Ryan P. Starkey, Ph.D. Faculty Research Scientist Reusable Launch Vehicle Institute Department of Aerospace Engineering University of Maryland, College Park College Park, MD, 20742-3015 phone: (301) 405-7248 fax: (301) 314-9001 mailto:rstarkey@umd.edu