just need something to do light development (docker, python, rust, with an ide). something i can upgrade (ram, ssd minimum). laptop would best, but desktop works too
any protips? thanks!
Avoid Nvidia.
I assume you’re just getting into Linux? Avoid Chromebooks for this (running linux as beginner) - there are ways of running Linux, but they require some tricks dpending on the model.
If it runs Windows it’ll run Linux almost certainly. The cheaper you go, the more likely you’ll have lower priced or older components for WiFi, Bluetooth etc which may mean that you have to dig some firmware binaries out to get the whole thing running.
If you can take a USB stick with you of a typical Rescue distribution, and can boot it up, you’ll know what will and won’t work easily. The bits that don’t work may need some minor fiddling. As I said, there are usually walkthrough blogs etc around.
Have fun.
Grab any older Thinkpad from backmarket.com and you’re good to go!
Desktop or laptop? Do you need peripherals included? Honestly for under $500 I’d highly suggest looking at refurbished machines. You’ll be able to pick up an off-lease Dell or Lenovo or HP system for < $300.
You can probably pick up a decent desktop machine for $50 from your local ads and put the rest into upgrades and still have some money left over.
I got an off-lease dell latitude 7400. Tbh, got it for free, but you can snag one on eBay for under $400. i5, 16 Gb ram, got a 1TB drive for $50 on Amazon. Runs Linux very well! I’d go with a light weight is like EndeavourOS or Arch.
less than $500? There’s literally tons of them
For instance https://www.amazon.com/Beelink-Graphics-Triple-Display-Computer/dp/B0B82N3WM5
I think a lot of these must share a bunch of components. I really like my TRIGKEY, especially the Ryzen 5 ($270). Everything worked OOTB with Linux (I didn’t even boot into Windows before wiping it), the fan never ran unless under load, and it was super easy to open and upgrade. I also got the Ryzen 7; the wifi module doesn’t have a supported driver (under Linux), the hardware is harder to access, and it runs significantly hotter - so I recommend the Ryzen 5.
In addition to Beelink I’ve heard good things about Minisforum’s mini PCs, they might run a little more expensive overall though
Yes, both are well known and (even if sometimes some people says they have lemons, for both bands) pretty solid, mine is 14 months old and runs 8h/day as my work PC
Clevo NV41xx
Corebootable, great machines, intel i7, okay build quality, replaceable parts everything.
Nobacustom sells them branded and with coreboot and everything included. Sometimes you may get one used somewhere.
There are a lot of options in that price range
No need to be new. I’d get a second hand Thinkpad T480.
modern chromebooks are secretly linux under the hood and can run android/linux apps. you could also try remoting into a server for development, like over ssh/vim or via code-server.
And if you open it up and unplug the battery, then boot off the charger that disables the write protect and you can install actual linux, though a lot of chromebooks have unique hardware that might not be supported, particularly audio IME.
I used to have a dell chromebook 11, and with bitmap fonts it was actually a pretty slick little computer for <$100.
HWAT??
I’ve got an old one that I am trying that on first thing tomorrow. I assume you can plug the battery back in afterwards?
It depends on the model
Yeah, did some research and it ended up being a screw that needed removed. Regardless, I didn’t know this was possible at all so I’m quite happy
