Installing [Kubuntu 10.04 32-Bit] on [Acer Aspire 4736Z]

General Hardware Specifications of [Laptop]:

Hardware Components	Status under Linux	Note
Intel T4200 Dual Core 2 GHz	Works	No special procedure required during installation.
14" Acer CineCrystal TFT Display	Works	Auto-detected
Intel Mobile 4 Graphics Controller	Works	Auto-detected and configured
3GB DDR RAM	Works	No special procedure required during installation
2.5" 250GB 5400RPM SATA HDD	Works	No special procedure required during installation
Built-in Intel HD Audio	Works Mostly	Auto-detected and configured but known issue with internal mic. Workaround is to use external mic and configure in Alsamixer and KDE System Settings.
Atheros AR8121/AR8113/AR8114 PCI-E Ethernet Controller	Works	Auto-detected and configured.
Atheros AR928X Wireless Network Adapter	Works	Auto-detected and configurable thru Knetwork module in KDE System Settings.
CD/DVD Drive - CDDVDW TS-L633B	Works	No special procedure required during installation
Touchpad Mouse	Works	Auto-detected and configured.
Lithium-Ion Battery	Works	KDE Battery Monitor Widget accurately detects and monitors battery life.
Acer CrystalEye Webcam	Works	UVC class webcam. Drivers in kernel. Auto-detected and configured.

This laptop is operating under Kernel version 2.6.32-30

Basic Installation of Kubuntu 10.04:

Well supported distro with up to date repositories. Good desktop distro.
Available at http://www.kubuntu.org/
Installation is a breeze. Boot from Live CD distro and select install from desktop. Dual booting supported in partitioner options. 20 mins for basic install.
Post-Install options include configuring wireless, works with installed kernel, and using the updater in KDE System Settings to update installed system and apps. Live CD performs basic install but additional items include activating the restricted repositories so that media formats will play.

Unresolved issues

Internal Mic issue with workaround as detailed above.
I never use suspend mode as I've never found it works properly with any laptop or OS. I disable it in power options of KDE System Settings.
More of a hardware issue, but if HDMI is plugged into external monitor, laptop boots up with a black screen and default display is set to HDMI. Still waiting for an Acer BIOS update to fix this one.

Configuration Files

Modify according to personal preference. Everything pretty much works out of the box.

Overall a well built, highly functional laptop with no major issues and no problems with overheating. Highly recommended.

Advertise on linux-on-laptops.com

No Warranties: This information is provided "as is" without any warranty, condition, or representation of any kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to, any warranty respecting non-infringement, and the implied warranties of conditions of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. All logos or trademarks on this site are the property of their respective owner. In no event shall linux-laptop.net, linux-on-laptops.com, or any directors, trustees, associates, or employees thereof be liable for any direct, indirect, special, incidental, consequential or other damages howsoever caused whether arising in contract, tort, or otherwise, arising out of or in connection with the use or performance of the information contained on this web site.