Bare minimum for Linux OS laptop
Bare minimum for Linux OS laptop
R – even low-quality laptops can run several useful distros.
KAPAMASTERPTYT
03-26-2016, 12:00 PM #12I used to work with Linux on older machines, my family often bought budget laptops and worse, outdated Windows versions. I preferred lightweight distros so the OS would work well with limited RAM. Around 2004, dual or single-core processors were common, and they performed okay for basic tasks. There were no major complaints, and some even praised their speed. Nowadays they ask for my help, but I still install Linux because updates are rare and I avoid the hassle of regular maintenance. Windows updates are now required, but Linux remains a solid choice for basic needs and videos. TLR – even low-quality laptops can run several useful distros.
You need just enough to launch GNU/Linux and a handful of browser windows. With some adjustments, you might make it work on an older machine—possibly even a 20-year-old one. If you plan to stream videos and move around, things become trickier. Most contemporary chips include hardware support for H.264 decoding, so new purchases should handle it smoothly. The challenge arises with second-hand gear. If you’re unlucky, the hardware might run smoothly on the OS but will freeze during video playback. The safest choice seems to be a modern laptop, around $220 on Amazon. It features a quad-core processor clocked at 1.1GHz (Goldmont cores mean modest performance), 4GB RAM, a decent GPU with hardware acceleration (though not HEVC or VP9), 32GB eMMC, a 1920x1080 display, 802.11ac and gigabit Ethernet, plus plenty of ports like an SD card reader, USB 3.0, USB 2.0, and HDMI out. The overall setup is solid for today’s needs.
ProSkipperz
04-01-2016, 01:30 PM #16With $250 you can explore Asus' eeebooks. They offer solid battery performance and a decent build. Their design is fanless with flash memory instead of traditional HDDs, making them more durable in rough conditions—like a fall from a cliff. The main drawback is the low-resolution TN panel, though at this price you won't find full HD IPS. Right now I'm using a more advanced Vivobook e403sa, which has a better screen, faster CPU, and metal casing. Windows runs smoothly, and Ubuntu feels responsive.
MegaTeamXD
04-04-2016, 01:05 AM #19I don't recall much, but atoms tend to be quite weak even when compared to celerons and low-end Pentiums (Pentia?). I should note that the idea of shitty tablets was just a thought, but some atoms perform as well as I described.
carlobolla
04-04-2016, 04:32 AM #20To be fair, modern Atoms are a long way away from the rabbit pellet of chips they used to be. Also, here's that laptop.