Linux Lite Forums
General => Off Topic => Topic started by: Dana Marsee on September 22, 2016, 01:36:36 PM
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I am looking for a new Linux Laptop. Can anybody recommend a good one under $300...and it has to be available at Amazon, because I'm gonna have to get it on my Amazon card. :) Thanks. ;D
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I have this model (https://www.amazon.com/Dell-Latitude-E6430-Professional-BlueTooth/dp/B00THOL6J4/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1474568956&sr=1-1&keywords=dell+latitude+e6430&refinements=p_89%3ADell%7CLatitude%2Cp_n_feature_four_browse-bin%3A2289792011%7C2289793011)by Dell. If my laptop broke today, I'd get this used or refurbished. Or I'd get something similar in business class. By the way, you can get this for about half the used/refurbished Amazon prices on eBay. But if you're having to use method of payment that'll only work on Amazon, I understand.
P.S. When I got mine, it was purchased refurbished.
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Posted that everything works at linuxquestions.org and new from amazon
https://www.amazon.com/HP-14-an013nr-14-Inch-Notebook-Drive/dp/B01F4ZG68A (https://www.amazon.com/HP-14-an013nr-14-Inch-Notebook-Drive/dp/B01F4ZG68A)
For the same price as the stream (which I had), look into the HP 14-an013nr also. While it's an AMD powered laptop (so not as efficient), it's a 1080P 14" instead of a 720P screen (only real thing I HATED about the stream, the LCD was absolute rubbish being 1366x768 resolution), quad core, and most importantly, 4 GB ram. SAme 32 GB eMMC drive. While larger, it's not actually significantly heavier than the Stream 13. And close to the same price ($200 on Amazon right now). I got one last week before they went on sale, and I have to say I'm super impressed. While the style might not be the best, for the price, it's an absolute steal. I've only tested it with Arch Linux so far, but literally every piece of hardware worked out of the box, and in EFI mode (did have to turn off secure boot).
Edit: took awhile but I found the thread
http://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/general-10/%24200-fully-linux-compatible-1080p-14-laptop-4175587675/ (http://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/general-10/%24200-fully-linux-compatible-1080p-14-laptop-4175587675/)
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https://www.amazon.com/Dell-Processor-Bluetooth-Certified-Refurbished/dp/B01BFVBEHA/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1474624377&sr=1-1&keywords=dell (https://www.amazon.com/Dell-Processor-Bluetooth-Certified-Refurbished/dp/B01BFVBEHA/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1474624377&sr=1-1&keywords=dell)
If it is for standard use - non gaming etc, then I would go for a refurbished Dell - something like the above - NOTE This one has no DVD however it might be worth purchasing a separate USB DVD reader/writer if needed.. Rugged and reliable - Need to check that is is Linux compatible before purchase. LL database may help here.
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https://www.amazon.com/Dell-Processor-Bluetooth-Certified-Refurbished/dp/B01BFVBEHA/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1474624377&sr=1-1&keywords=dell
If it is for standard use - non gaming etc, then I would go for a refurbished Dell - something like the above - NOTE This one has no DVD however it might be worth purchasing a separate USB DVD reader/writer if needed.. Rugged and reliable - Need to check that is is Linux compatible before purchase. LL database may help here.
I would not recommend the above. It is only duo core and duo threaded with a base of 1.6GHz. From personal experience, if you're only going duo core and duo threaded for a processor, you'll want 2.x GHz and above. Otherwise, again in my experience, you'll have jitter when running YouTube videos in full screen HD using a browser. Lastly consumer grade laptops, including Dell, have lower quality builds. And their keyboards and touchpads show it.
P.S. The hard drive on this model is only 5400 RPM...another reason I say thumbs down on this.
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HP all Intel will give you the least problems with Linux in general. Wifi and ethernet support is good for Broadcom pci now, a little less for atheros. Intel sound and video has good support. Nvidia a little less. Stay away from Toshiba, Sony, and Samsung in general, if you don't know what to look for in the specs. If refurbished and you plan to dual boot, look for one preloaded with Windows 10 or 7. Avoid 8.1. Save you some possible bios issues confusion. A lot of Dell's are okay, but some older models have cpu/gpu issues with Linux. Most Hp's and Dell's with Intel mobo, cpu/gpu, and sound cards, and Broadcom pci ethernet and wifi as old as 2006, and as new as 2014/15 will work with Debian out of the box, thus with Linux Lite.
TC
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Heads up on the lap-tops. I just found this today. If you prefer Linux you might want to read this. My son bought a desk top refurbished and warranted for a year with a extended warranty for a low price for a $150.00 from Walmart. Amazon also has some great deals on rebuilds. Good luck.
http://www.pcworld.com/article/3123075/linux/linux-wont-install-on-your-laptop-blame-intel-not-microsoft.html
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My concerns with HP laptops is, that for the ones I have had, the fans. Those laptops have needed a complete strip down to get at the fans . Fans on all lap tops are static filters for dust etc. and hence can lead to potential cooling issues with age. Anyone else's observations on this?
Torreydale's suggestion is better than mine. My son-in-law bought a refurbished on in the UK and is very pleased with it. It looks as if you can get refurbished ones in the USA at reasonable prices off Amazon too :) and with a warranty!!
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Anyone else's observations on this?
Have a G60 with Vista (2009), and there has been just one incident of overheating recorded by diagnostics. Over the years, I have performed just superficial cleaning with canned air, and it has been sufficient to keep the machine in working order. True, should one really, really want to get at the fans, the strip-down job is something to behold.
The previous HP top-of-the-range Pavilion lasted about 8 years.
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Heads up on the lap-tops. I just found this today. If you prefer Linux you might want to read this. My son bought a desk top refurbished and warranted for a year with a extended warranty for a low price for a $150.00 from Walmart. Amazon also has some great deals on rebuilds. Good luck.
http://www.pcworld.com/article/3123075/linux/linux-wont-install-on-your-laptop-blame-intel-not-microsoft.html
It is very doubtful that the requestor will run into this RAID issue on a new or refurbished $300 or less laptop. So let's tamp down on this story. It is better if the forum sticks to informing, and sometimes amusing, the users. Alarming or inspiring paralysis of analysis is what the rest of the web is for.
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My concerns with HP laptops is, that for the ones I have had, the fans. Those laptops have needed a complete strip down to get at the fans . Fans on all lap tops are static filters for dust etc. and hence can lead to potential cooling issues with age. Anyone else's observations on this?
And this is precisely why I suggest business grade laptops. I once had to completely remove the base of a consumer grade laptop just to add memory. About 15 screws and two motherboard ribbons later, I was able to do so. Business grade usually involves 5 screws or less for anything you need to do with the laptop. The hardware is just better, and the components have better Linux driver support.
P.S. By the way, that 15 screw, 2 motherboard ribbon laptop was an HP. It was purchased new, this year, for about $300, so naturally it only came with a 5400 RPM hard drive.