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Date: Wed, 21 Jul 2004 15:59:55 -0500
Subject: Re: [9fans] plan9 laptop
From: vdharani@infernopark.com
To: "Fans of the OS Plan 9 from Bell Labs" <9fans@cse.psu.edu>
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>> a new laptop of your choice + vmware is also not a bad idea.
>
> Hi.
>
> Thank you for this idea. It creates a few more questions though ;)
>
> A shop nearby is selling laptops that have been "tested with Linux". Th=
ese
> laptops have Transmeta processors and have no cooling fans. Will plan9 =
run
> on
> these unusual processors natively and/or under vmware?
in general, the easy way is to assume any x86 (or clone) box will run pla=
n
9 and try to boot. The bootable CD is a good option. Also, you could
attempt to install plan 9 (but need not actually install it) and see if
you come all the way upto graphics mode. If so, chances are high.

if a box is known to run winxx, linux, and any other popular OS without
any platform-specific code, one could safely assume it will work.

i would expect plan 9 to run on transmeta processors. the problems could
arise not with the processor but with the devices and controllers. if you
intend to use it as just a CPU server, chances are high. in your case, i
dont think thats the case.

under vmware, it shouldnt be a problem.

> driver
> is binary only with an open source stub. Is it possible to rewrite the
> stub
> so the driver will work under plan9?
no. it is like trying to put a honda engine in a toyota car. porting linu=
x
driver in source form onto plan 9 itself it a difficult task.

this is what i think: stick to ibm t21 or t23 thinkpads. probably t40.
else laptop + vmware.

Regards
dharani