linux support in HP EliteBook 1040 G3

[tdrive]

Hi, I want to buy HP EliteBook 1040 G3 (V1B13EA) and I am going to use Linux. Does fingerprint, wifi, touchpad etc support linux?

[Huffer]

Which Linux distribution? How involved are you willing to get? Will you be comfortable with the Linux command line, rebuilding kernels, etc. 

Linux is not a plug and play thing you have to make it work for you. 

The 1040 G2 was offered in some markets with optional Ubuntu 14.04 LTS and was a certified pre-install system. 

[tdrive]

My favourite distribution is Gentoo. Rebuilding kernel, compiling packages with special patches, etc are not a problem for me.

>Linux is not a plug and play thing you have to make it work for you. 

I can do it, I need just drivers.

[Huffer]

The likely issues are wireless, audio and fingerprint reader. There is a Linux fingerprint gui that works with most security chipsets. 

http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2013/03/how-to-get-your-fingerprint-reader-working-in-ubuntu

HP has never provided Linux "driver" downloads. You have to get them from a Linux package server or build them from source into the kernel. 

I have never used Gentoo and I understand it uses its own update packaging system. You might give one of the Ubuntu variations a try... the debian apt-get is very easy to use and the update servers have a wide variety of packages. 

Pretty sure a current distro will just work.