So, that’s a definite YES then? 
Well unless there’s different models of x401a and they have different UEFI firmware…
even then I’d expect the secure boot option would still be there
So it’s a “pretty certain” but not a definite “yes”.
email ASUS and ask them … at the very least it will let them know people want the option.
Thanks. I shall.
Is there a list or forum that can give details on suitable laptops for Linux installations when Windows 8 is installed? As I now have looked at the review of the above laptop and I am not as sure as I was.
See here:
http://www.ubuntu.com/certification/desktop/
if you look under ASUS, you’ll see the X401A and X401A1 listed
http://www.ubuntu.com/certification/hardware/201209-11781/
and
http://www.ubuntu.com/certification/hardware/201206-11383/
So I’d feel fairly safe … why not phone Ebuyer (don’t give them your real name) and ask them ? … also ask them what their returns policy is if you cannot disable secure boot.
If you don’t want to mention Linux, tell them you want to put Win7 on it or something … just explain that you want the CHOICE.
Ask them if the laptop is covered by the UK Distance Selling regulations, and how long “Cooling off” period is (cooling off period = the amount of time you can “change your mind”, and only have to pay postage for the return of the goods)
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I am cosidering this one but cannot find it in the link
I can’t find any linux info on that model … it may work (with some tweaking) it may not.
But remember, buy face-to-face (like from your local PCWorld) and you’re not covered by the “distance selling” cooling off period.
BUT, you do get to have the guy at PCWorld prove to you that secure boot can be disabled … that does NOT mean there won’t be other hardware problems though.
You may be better off looking for a laptop that has Win7 installed … AFAIK (and I could be wrong) Win7 won’t work with secure boot enabled, so it MUST be disable(able) or not present.
[EDIT]
Someone here:
managed to downgrade to Win7, so I guess you can disable secure boot.
As I said, that doesn’t mean there won’t be other hardware issues … other people have managed to get Peppermint/Ubuntu working on other G6 models (usually having to install the ralink STA drivers in place of rt2800pci which for some reason works but receives a weak wireless signal) … so your call
Jeez this is a flipin minefield. This must be going to cause problems for people wanting to use Linux now and the future. I would like a Windows 7 laptop but it needs to have at least 4gb ram and at least 1 usb 3 port. Any ideas where I can get one?
I am with Mark on this one. If you must buy with Win on it then buy it with Win7, even if it is just to kick Win8 while it is down.
On the other hand there is this Zoostorm laptop sans OS.
Actually if you look at the comments for that ZooStorm 7873-9040 … there’s someone running Mint, Suse and Ubuntu on it in the first 2 pages 
http://mark.reevoo.com/reevoomark/en-GB/product?retailer=EBU&sku=398944
Everyone seems to give it good reviews.
Plus you’re covered by the distance selling regs … so if you don’t like it, send it back.
and NO WINDOWS TAX … M$ get nothing, and you send a message to ZooStorm to keep shipping systems without an OS
Just a pity they’re no longer doing this one:
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Thanks Guys. Really helpful.
I think I will go for that Sezo. It looks great spec for the money.
Looking through the reviews it seems the only problem area in Linux is the WiFi card.
I am sure Mark will sort that out in a jiffi.
Thanks for the vote of confidence SeZo but I doubt if I’ll have to … seems the card is a Realtek RTL8723AE … Realtek supplied the drivers directly to the kernel devs, so it’s fully supported (included) in kernels >= 3.8 (module = rtl8723ae), so if using Peppermint 4/Mint 15/Ubuntu 13.04 or ANY distro with kernel 3.8 onwards it should “just work” out of the box.
The problems people were mentioning in the comments must have been with earlier kernels … and why the guy with Mint 15 said he had no problems
mark@AA1-Blue ~ $ modinfo rtl8723ae filename: /lib/modules/3.8.0-26-generic/kernel/drivers/net/wireless/rtlwifi/rtl8723ae/rtl8723ae.ko firmware: rtlwifi/rtl8723aefw_B.bin firmware: rtlwifi/rtl8723aefw.bin description: Realtek 8723E 802.11n PCI wireless license: GPL author: Larry Finger author: Realtek WlanFAE author: lizhaoming srcversion: 03790CA78F2ECC964C06F5E alias: pci:v000010ECd00008723sv*sd*bc*sc*i* depends: rtlwifi intree: Y vermagic: 3.8.0-26-generic SMP mod_unload modversions 686 parm: swenc:Set to 1 for software crypto (default 0) (bool) parm: ips:Set to 0 to not use link power save (default 1) (bool) parm: swlps:Set to 1 to use SW control power save (default 0) (bool) parm: fwlps:Set to 1 to use FW control power save (default 1) (bool) parm: debug:Set debug level (0-5) (default 0) (int)
BTW, that’s Peppermint 4 … for those that don’t know me, are new to this forum, or completely blind
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I will be ordering the Zoostorm on Thursday for Friday delivery. I think as it has a reasonable spec’ I will put Mint 15 on this…So you will probably be getting more posts!
So, it has arrived!
Regarding the last post is Mint 15 the best option? What are the advantages over Peppermint 4?
Answers on a postcard.
Regarding the last post is Mint 15 the best option? What are the advantages over Peppermint 4?
As you will not be short on resources with that machine, why not go for the full bodied distro?
Also from the revues, it just works. 
Both should “just work” as the only issue was wireless which was resolved in the 3.8 kernel, which they both use … but as SeZo says, you’re not short on resources so take your pick, whichever you feel more comfortable with.
You know which I’d choose, but then Windows 8 isn’t for everyone. ← Kiddin :o
What are the advantages over Peppermint 4?
Erm … NONE
But then there’s no real disadvantages (on that machine) either.
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Hmmm. A dilemma. Two distro’s in front of me. I’m going to have a glass of wine (or two) and think about it .
Nothing stopping you installing BOTH, then seeing which you find yourself using most.
Hmm. I would go for the one without the hole, you get more. ;D
