What's the smallest laptop that runs Linux and is actually usable? (lemmy.world)

submitted 4 weeks ago by EighteenthNerd@lemmy.world to c/asklemmy@lemmy.world

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I'm interested in ideas for small laptop-style devices that (1) run Linux and (2) are actually usable (i.e., not so small or low quality they're basically toys).

My goal is for something to supplement my current, larger laptop. Something I can throw in a bag and pull out as needed during the day to take a few notes, read an eBook on, access the web, and so on.

Anyone have or heard of such a device?

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[-] everett@lemmy.ml 1 points 4 weeks ago

No experience myself, but I saw this recently on Lemmy: GPD Win Max 2

[-] ar1@lemmy.sdf.org 1 points 3 weeks ago

Librem 5 on its own, and with the optional lapdock for serious outdoor work?

[-] MrsDoyle@sh.itjust.works 1 points 4 weeks ago

I have a Toshiba Satellite T110, 11.6" screen, now running Linux Zorin. I've had it for 15 years - got a new battery at one point and added RAM, very easy to do. It's been a cracking little machine, really nice for travelling with.

[-] scytale@lemmy.zip 1 points 4 weeks ago

A netbook maybe? I used to have an old 10" lenovo netbook with a celeron CPU and 2GB of RAM. Worked pretty well with Lubuntu. I could even play StarCraft on it. If you just need it for light browsing and office tools, it should work fine. You can probably get one with at least 4 or 8 GB RAM for better performance.

[-] wjrii@lemmy.world 1 points 4 weeks ago

I've had many laptops over the years, from the original eeePC to 17" portable workstations, and the smallest I personally found to be "usable" on a daily basis were in the 12" class; I used a Sony Z505 throughout law school. Get that size with a usable keyboard and touchpad. Anything reasonably modern with 8GB of RAM should be able to putz around in Linux as a secondary device.

[-] SreudianFlip@sh.itjust.works 1 points 4 weeks ago

A 2012 11" MacBook Air will run ZorinOS nicely and is truly tiny but very usable. Any Air made between 2012-17, really, but the 11" is SMALL.

[-] Deestan@lemmy.world 1 points 4 weeks ago

This depends on how big hands you have.

A fully usable system good enough to watch Youtube, do spreadsheets and play Minecraft can be a few inches wide.

So basically what is the smallest keyboard and screen you find usable? There's likely a laptop around that size.

[-] iAmTheTot@sh.itjust.works 1 points 4 weeks ago

I guess an important question is how small is unusable for you? That's not an objective measure, and will be up to what you find usable.

[-] Reverendender@sh.itjust.works 1 points 4 weeks ago

It’s clearly an objective measure. Do some research!

~/s~

[-] ashenone@lemmy.ml 2 points 4 weeks ago

I format all my movies to be under 9" so I can get 100% usability out of smaller laptops

[-] Reverendender@sh.itjust.works 2 points 4 weeks ago

It’s 100 usables. It’s its own scale, don’t confuse people.

[-] Xylight@feddit.online 1 points 4 weeks ago

Hey, well, the ChatGPT chart shows it, so it must be true!

[-] Reverendender@sh.itjust.works 3 points 4 weeks ago

An 11” screen is 58 usables. That’s just science.

this post was submitted on 25 Jun 2025

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