Summary: I'm very pleased with my Dell Inspiron 4100. I have SuSE 7.3 running on it, with kernel 2.4.16, and they work well, after struggles detailed below. Builtin wireless networking (Dell ``TrueMobile 1150'' by Agere) performs well.
However, this has been the deployment from Hell. I'm happy to say that the finger of blame did not point at the Inspiron 4100, but it points in a whole lot of other directions. My various workarounds will be instructive for others trying to set up this system.
Caveat: Some of the operations and packages described herein can trash your hard disc, your eardrums, or your processor. You are responsible for due diligence to ascertain the consequences of what you do, and for safeguarding your data and your equipment. While hazardous operations and mitigating strategies are pointed out, if you suffer adverse consequences don't whine to me.
I found very lively discussion and a lot of good information on the mailing list linux-dell-laptops@yahoogroups.com, abbreviated ``LDL'' in these pages. There is also suse-laptops@suse.com, which is in German.
The experiences of other Inspiron 4100 owners, and other types of laptops, can be found through links on Kenneth Harker's page, http://www.linux-laptop.net/.