I want to get my partner a replacement for an aging chromebook. I was thinking it would be easiest to just grab another super budget chromebook and call it a day. But the more I read about google and chrome, the less I want to do with them.
So my goal is to snag a cheap ($300ish?) laptop that I can slap Linux on (probably mint, but I’m open to suggestions).
The main caveat is the size- needs to be small. Current chromebook is 11.5” I think. I’d like to keep it under 13”. The main use (95% will be web browsing/streaming/email/bullshit) but I’d like it to have enough juice to play Minecraft on my local server.
I’ve looked around a bit, but my god there is a lot of options. I’d love it if there was just a recommendation that was proven to work. I’m busy enough tinkering with all the other tech, and I’d like to just set this one up and forget it.
The current 13 inch AMD framework is a very neat machine.
That does look pretty slick. However, I don’t plan on dropping $800 for my partner to watch Hulu with. Are there used versions I could hunt down?
There is the factory seconds stock, which is cheaper, but RAM, storage, Wi-Fi card, power brick and expansion cards are sold separately. https://frame.work/products/factory-seconds-framework-laptop-13-diy-edition-11th-gen-intel-core Still over your price range though.
Sorry I overlooked the budget requirement. Also, it’s not 16:9 though so if it’s primarily for media consumption maybe not so suited.
Oooh, I didn’t even think about the aspect… thanks!
Silly question but have you considered a Android tablet?
If you don’t want google you should find a device compatible with Lineage os. https://lineageosdevices.com/
Here’s a short list devices things I can think of:
- a old Linux compatible Chromebook. You would need to wipe the firmware and install seabios and Linux
- A Pinebook Pro. This device is very underpowered and would be slow. It is also arm so you can’t install just any Distro.
- a old surface device with Linux support
- a old labtop that used to run Windows
There used to be a $400 device from starlabs but I no longer see it. There cheapest device is $700.
Honestly your best bet is a Chromebook or a used labtop
If OP does go the surface route should also provide them with the resources for it. https://github.com/linux-surface/linux-surface
Are there certain requirements, or pitfalls to avoid when digging through old Chromebooks?
I think that’s the direction I’m leaning.
Honestly just make sure you do your research. If you are unsure you could go buy a used Chromebook on eBay for about $50 bucks. Once you get that device working you can always upgrade.
Keep in mind each Chromebook model is different and not all are compatible. Again, do your research
Unfortunately, the new FOSS linux laptop scene is basically the pine book pro for less then $250 or Framework/System76/Tuxedo for greater than $900 with nothing in-between.
Never heard of the pinebook pro. Looks pretty neat. I wish it came with a smaller size, it would be perfect.
Keep in mind that the CPU is ancient by today’s standards. It will be slow
That is not true at all. There are plenty of options
Yeah, I should be more clear. I’m talking about laptops that the manufacture openly supports or ships a linux distro with it. I just assume OP already knows he can do a bit of research and get a decent $300 laptop from like lenovo/acer/hp/dell/etc… and install linux on it.
I’m comfortable doing the Linux swap on an old dell, but I guess what I’m looking for is a recommendation of a device that is known to work well for that purpose.
Are there any “gotchas” that I should be looking out for in the hunt?
If you’re hunting down older eqipment (5, 6 years old), no, not really… everything just works with Linux and older stuff. The newer stuff is always the problem with any OS that is not Windows (though that is changing for the better in the last few years, especially for Linux).
It’s hard to recommend because sometimes with cheaper laptops they have weird wifi chip sets, audio chip sets, and stuff for controlling the lcd back light, f-keys, etc… Also sometimes they have weird way to boot into the boot menu that may not be well documented. I don’t really know what brand or models should be avoided though.
Chromebooks are honestly the best option for budget linux laptops, you can easily install linux onto many chromebooks.
Framework laptop is pretty good.
I’m running OpenSUSE Tumbleweed on a Dell XPS 9360 with an 8th gen i7 and it works very well. Something similar should be within your budget.
Take a look at Minifree Ltd. For less than USD $500, you can get a decent ThinkPad with Libreboot and your choice of Linux distro (KDE Debian is installed by default).
used steam deck + bluetooth keyboard
I would love to do something like this, except it’s way too goofy with the attached controllers.
Steamdeck in a tablet form factor would be perfect.
