59
Recommendations for a small used laptop (lemmy.sdf.org)
submitted 1 month ago by JovialSodium@lemmy.sdf.org to c/linux@lemmy.ml
46 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Working on the assumption that Win10 being EOL is going to cause an influx of old hardware becoming available, I was thinking it might be a good time to start looking for a good deal on a laptop for travel. It doesn't HAVE to be an old unsupported laptop, but saving something from e-waste is a bonus. Here's the kind of thing I'm looking for.

  • Something small-ish, around a 13" screen.
  • Can install Linux. Generally a given, I know. But I think not always an option with Chromebooks? I'm OK with a Chromebook as long as I can replace ChromeOS with Linux.
  • X86_64 preferred. For games, though obviously not a great platform for that. Not opposed to ARM, but the PineBook Pro is compelling as a small low-cost ARM laptop, it'd have to be a better deal than that.
  • Somewhat serviceable. I'd like to have the option to replace the batteries, storage, and memory. Being able to replace the wireless card would be nice.
  • Durable would be a bonus. It probably won't see a lot of use, but it'll get tossed around in a backpack or in luggage.
  • Specs aren't too important. I like my distros lightweight, and a web browser will be the most demanding thing it'll run.

All of that might be too much of a unicorn, but if I can find a good deal that mostly fits, I'll be happy.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[-] Captain_Baka@feddit.org 3 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

• pretty much every modern Chromebook will be able to have Linux installed over ChromeOS. You might have to open it up and remove a write-protect screw.

I did exactly that. That thing with the screw is only for older models. I did it on a somewhat newer model and I had to open it up and disconnect the battery. Newer models need a SuzyQ cable to switch from ChromeOS to Linux. All of them need to run the MrChromebox script after disabling write protection. Well, except ARM Chromebooks. They are not compatible with the script. For some of these devices PostmarketOS is the way to go.

[-] BigHeadMode@lemmy.frozeninferno.xyz 2 points 1 month ago

ARM Chromebook running non-chrome is, afaik, barely functional to get to a terminal. Don't think of running anything Linux on them unless you really like hardware development.

[-] Captain_Baka@feddit.org 1 points 1 month ago

SOME models do work pretty good with PostmarketOS. Very few with all hardware features working, some with nearly all features working. Mostly classical laptop devices. Convertibles and tablets on the other hand work generally less good. Well of course there's a gigantic shitload of devices that don't even have a functional display and a even bigger pile that's not even booting.

[-] ilinamorato@lemmy.world 2 points 1 month ago

Interesting. Some of them are just dip switches, too. I hadn't heard about needing a cable, that's an interesting wrinkle.

this post was submitted on 06 Nov 2025
59 points (96.8% liked)

Linux

57274 readers
335 users here now

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

Rules

Related Communities

Community icon by Alpár-Etele Méder, licensed under CC BY 3.0

founded 6 years ago
MODERATORS
AgreeableLandscape@lemmy.ml
nooter692@lemmy.ml
MarcellusDrum@lemmy.ml
cypherpunks@lemmy.ml
cyclohexane@lemmy.ml
d3Xt3r@lemmy.nz