I think I've just talked myself into a netbook or ultraportable and use Jolicloud or other linux version. The Lenovo X120e w/AMD Fusion looks great, but it's not mentioned on the jolicloud hardware list.
Keep in mind that Linux is only the underlying kernel. There are
hundreds of different Linux distributions and you can't judge one by another. You'll find different included drivers, totally different desktops (KDE 3.x, 4.x; LXDE, XFCE, Gnome, etc. etc.etc.), different configuration utilities, different included applications and loads of other differences between them.
Asking if a Linux distro allows vertical scrolling with a touchpad (without mentioning a specific distro and laptop model) is sort of like asking if a 70-200mm lens is bright enough for indoor sports (without mentioning a specific lens brand/model, aperture range, and what camera model you plan on using it with). ;-)
Most laptops and netbooks are going to use a Synaptics Touchpad (Synaptics is the actual manufacturer of the touchpad). See more about them here:
http://www.synaptics.com/
You'll find their touchpads in laptops from a variety of different manufacturers. You'll see some of the manufacturers that use Synaptics on this links page:
http://www.synaptics.com/support/drivers/oem_support
But, what a given touchpad model and driver combination supports will vary (and not all Linux distros are going to include the same drivers or setup utilities).
That's one reason I suggested burning some of the available linux distros to a USB flash drive, booting into them, and trying them out on demo models at a store. ;-)
Personally, I avoid the distros like Jolicloud and use full featured distros like Mepis instead. I'm using Mepis 11 on my desktop right now, and also have it installed on my wife's laptop (Dell Inspiron 1720 with 1GB of memory). See more about Mepis at
http://www.mepis.org
I haven't tested the latest version on my little Eee PC 900 yet. But, Mepis 8.5 works fine on it, so Mepis 11 will probably work just fine on it, too.
With Mepis 8.5 or 11, if you click on System Settings (screwdriver and wrench icon in the system tray), you'll find menus that allow you to customize your desktop. Here's a screen capture from my wife's laptop showing System Settings. I've got where you'll want to click on (input devices) highlighted using a mouse over. But, a different linux distro may not have the same setup screens available.
Downsized Image - Click Expand All to see more
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Then, click on Touchpad, Touchpad Configuration, Scrolling. You'll see a section for Vertical Scrolling that you can customize as desired. This is the way it defaults with my wife's Dell 1720 laptop (I haven't changed it since installing Mepis 11), and vertical scrolling works fine.
Downsized Image:
Full Size Image:
I've tried some laptops out in some stores, and one odd thing I'm finding with many trackpads is the lack of vertical scrolling with the trackpad itself. Dell, Lenovo and Samsung do, HP, Apple, Asus, Acer, and Sony did not. I'm referring to vertical scrolling on the far right margin of the trackpad with a single finger.
LoL ... I don't know if you can get that function working on a trackpad under Linux or not, even if it doesn't work on the windows software , anyone know ?
You need to take each one on a case by case basis (operating system/laptop combo), using a
specific linux distro, with a
specific laptop model.
You may find that vertical scrolling works "straight from the box" using a given laptop model with one linux distro, but not another. Or, you may need to tweak config files manually, or you may need to load a different driver (or there may not be a driver that's fully compatible with a new touchpad model). It's not a "black and white" issue (there are
many variables involved).
--
JimC
I would not recommend it for anyone, and why I didn't keep it. It's unfinished software given to let the public while the kinks are worked out. Now I see why so many choose ipads and prefer windows on so many products, despite their flaws and quirks.
