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Buying a new computer to run Linux on - suggestions?
(midwest.social)
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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.
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Then go for a Raspberry pi 3. (No, not rpi 4 or the rpi 5 one). It's cheap, with a power draw low enough to leave it running 24/7 (it will not increase your energy bills by the slightest). Downside is that you'll have to learn some Linux "tricks" that will (definitely) "grind your gears", but eh.... it'll be a fun ride if you are willing to lose some sanity for the sake of enjoying a "It's like nothing is happening to my power bills at all!" power of the convenience it'll bring to your life and your lifestyle as well.
I think its reasonable to assume that they'll want to easily be able to take it and use it in different rooms
Rpis can be as mobile as (or even more than) a laptop.
That's not a laptop and even if it was the raspberry pi won't work with stock Linux. You need a custom kernel.
OP mentioned a computer, not a laptop.
That is completely wrong -- there are a couple distros out there that work "out of the box" without the need of a custom kernel. Not just for the rpi, but for many other "obscure" pcs, including a thermostat.
You need the Raspberry pi kernel for it to work
https://github.com/raspberrypi/linux