Wi-fi and Linux (openSUSE)
Few years back one of the main factors that stopped me from installing Linux on laptop was the Wi-fi support. Many prospective Linux users might have apprehension about installing Linux because of this legacy. One thing that you have to keep in mind when you start using Linux is that tomorrow will be years ahead of today in open source world. So buy the time you actually start using wi-fi, somebody somewhere might have developed the necessary driver usually by ingenious reverse engineering.
So here i have compiled various Laptop(wi-fi) providers and there Linux support sites and few comments
DELL(Broadcom)
Dell, with some help from Broadcom and Canonical, the company behind Ubuntu, has released a Linux friendly Broadcom Wi-Fi driver for both 32 and 64-bit Linuxes. For Dell users, this means that they now have Wi-Fi support for the Dell 1490, 1395, 1397, 1505, and 1510 Wireless cards.
So Dell Studio series and Inspiron Series will work.The drivers should work with any Broadcom card using one of the supported chipsets on any modern Linux
Atheros
If you use Wi-Fi on your laptop, there’s an excellent chance you’re using Atheros chipsets for your wireless networking. Atheros’ silicon is in gear from Linksys, D-Link and Netgear to name but a few vendors.Atheros does a reasonable job to support Linux drivers. he MadWiFi driver for Atheros wireless cards are not included in the distribution as its HAL module is only available as proprietary. However, it is possible to use this driver.
Opensuse Link -Excellent Explanation
Intel
Drivers for the Centrino,2100/2200/2915 devices can be found in recent kernel so it is not necessary to install it seperately. It will be working out of the box for kernels after 2009 Jan
Acer (ATMEL)
These cards are also natively supported and hence should not be problem.
Linux Wi-fi compatibility
Wireless Adapter Chipset Directory compiled by HJ Heins. Please note the last updated date to make sure you have the latest information.
NDISWrapper
NDIS wrapper provides a additional layer which can support drivers designed for windows to run on Linux. Here is a list of drivers supported by NDISwrapper.But whenever available use native Linux Drivers.
STAY AWAY CARDS
The list may not be accurate and up to date
Prism54,Texas Instruments, Intersil
Network debugger Script
A very good diagnostic script for network problems of all kind (not only WLAN) can be found here
It is quite useful in getting help for your networking problem. Run it before you start asking questions.
Thanks to Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols for providing bulk of the information . Also to opensuse wiki
good I like your post