[KLUG Members] New laptop on the way...advice

[Richard Harding]

I have a new laptop on order. It's an IBM R50. I have not tried Linux on 
a laptop and I know it can be more of a struggle. Basically I am looking 
for any tips/links anyone has for getting this to be a Debian/Windows XP 
dual boot. I am even thinking of trying out Libranet instead of stock 
debian.

Things I am worried about working:
Radeon 9000 video
Centrino Wireless
1400 x 1050 resolution
Audio listed as "AC '97, DirectSound, SoundMAX"

 From what I have been reading I should really get the 2.6 kernel on 
this for best power management support and to get the centrino working 
without the wrapper software that is out there.

Does anyone know if the Debian beta installer is running 2.6? Any 
suggestions for getting this up and running dual boot with XP smoothly? 
I tried once to get debian and XP together on a desktop, but I blew it 
because once I installed debian I could never get back to the winodws 
partition.

Thanks for any tips/tricks/links.

Rick