To select the best Linux hardware, consult a list of compatible devices for your distribution. Avoid incompatible hardware and research before upgrading. Cheap printers and digital cameras may not be compatible. Some devices can be made compatible by modifying configuration files or working with kernel modules.
You can select the best Linux® hardware by consulting a list of Linux® compatible hardware, preferably for the particular distribution or flavor you will be running. Such a list may be found on the official website for the specific distribution or on websites that offer a general list of Linux® compatible devices as part of the documentation accompanying the operating system. It’s also very valuable to have a solid understanding of the types of Linux® hardware that are almost always incompatible with any distribution so that you can save yourself time and frustration trying to get certain devices to work. Searching the Internet for “Linux devices” also tends to lead to where you can download the drivers needed to achieve compatibility for your Linux® hardware. Experienced Linux® users have learned not to underestimate the value of the Linux® hardware information available from community-supported technical support for your distribution and hardware.
A piece of hardware that will work perfectly with one Linux® distribution could be very problematic with another version of this operating system. This issue sometimes occurs with two different releases of the same distribution due to the different kernel versions the releases are based on. Research is very important before setting up, upgrading or migrating to a different version or to a different version of the same version. Knowing which specific types of Linux® hardware are almost never compatible is probably half the battle, especially if you’re new to Linux®.
For example, a dial-up connection on a Linux system is almost always problematic with a so-called “soft” or “win” modem. This is because these devices lack some hardware components for which there is no compensation in the Linux® kernel as in other operating systems. When it comes to the need to establish a dial-up connection, a controller-based or real hardware modem is required to avoid problems and having to edit configuration files. Dial-up connections are still used by many people as a primary or backup connection.
Another guideline that is helpful when selecting the best Linux® hardware is that very cheap printers are generally incompatible, and commercial and networked or all-in-one printers tend to be compatible. The same can be said when talking about very cheap digital cameras; they tend not to be compatible with many Linux® distributions. If your concern is the convenience of setting up a new system with a distribution that will work out of the box, it’s helpful to know that, for example, virtually all Pentium system boards and Intel-based personal computer (PC) laptops are considered compatible hardware. Linux®.
Some Linux® devices that won’t work out of the box are still compatible because the functionality could be achieved by modifying hardware configuration files. Depending on the hardware involved, you may need to know how to work with kernel modules. Your knowledge of Linux® and programming will no doubt influence your decisions in selecting the best Linux® hardware for yourself or a customer.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
