[GTALUG] Ubuntu

[ted leslie]

You may want to approach this the other way.
I you go to newegg.ca for example, i see the cheapest chrome book at about
400$,
instead, do search on 8GB portable (4GB is cutting it close),
and you will see many refurbs come up 350-400$ (order by price increasing),
and new coming in at 550'ish.
>From a spec perspective, once you find something you want, google for linux
support and peoples experiences.
You could even find out what dell models had ubuntu pre-installed, and find
the windows equiv. being sold refurb.
for cheap (i would guess). With bloatware on cheap windows licenses, the
cost of windows factored in is about 0$
(at least it would be on a  refurb.)
I just can't help but think if you drive the search from something
certified to linux (or chrome) from supplier (pre-built),
you will severely narrow your HW options.
Having said all that, I have at least twice built up a linux portable from
a wiped windows one, and had video go black after
grub screen, just to have to research to add a boot time option for a intel
video issue, and this type of thing, since you are
not a dev., would drive you mad. If you can find people reporting trouble
free install from Linux Mint, or Ubuntu,
it should be a safe bet. You can also try to run a live DVD/CD on the
machine before you buy, that would really
cement the process. You could also consider a live DVD/CD with a purchase
that has full return policy.
Good luck! nice to see you attempting the Linux route.
Also, intel processors isn't a must, can run linux fine on amd (and a whole
bunch more for that matter).
And I would go for 8GB ram at min.
Trouble spots are usually touch pads with multi-finger support, touch
screens, and wifi module, at least a few years ago, could
still be a pain.

-tl



On Tue, Nov 22, 2016 at 3:53 PM, Irwin Barrer via talk <talk at gtalug.org>
wrote:

> Dear Talk List Members
>
> I am brand new to Linux, open source, etc. I am a user, not a developer.
>
> I am interested in buying a laptop and installing Ubuntu on it—I like the
> idea of a free alternative to Windows or MacOS, and price is a big factor.
>
> A while back I saw some relatively inexpensive laptops on Dell with Ubuntu
> preinstalled. Unfortunately these are no longer available and only a
> high-end developer system is available with Ubuntu preinstalled.
>
> So I have started looking into laptops with Chrome OS (Chromebooks) and
> installing Ubuntu. I’ve done some research, but still uncertain. Intel
> processors seem to be a must and 4GB RAM—which is the most I can find on a
> Chromebook.
>
> Does anyone have any experience with Ubuntu? Any help/advice would be
> appreciated.
>
> Best
> IB
>
>
> Irwin Barrer
> irwin at irwinb.com
>
>
> ---
> Talk Mailing List
> talk at gtalug.org
> https://gtalug.org/mailman/listinfo/talk
>
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