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Recommendations for a new desktop computer for Linux Mint Mate version 20
Hello Everyone,
My name is Tommi Jordon. I do computing for this place and have used Linux Mint Mate since version 16. This Dell GX is 32 bit, so I haven't been able to install any newer revisions since 18-3. The equipment is old and nearing total failure, furthermore, version 18-3 isn't supported anymore, or so I believe. Security is a concern, so I want to get a newer computer. I don't and won't use Windows, so I need suggestions on what make and model of computer to search for. I'll have to get a used one due to cost, but that's okay if it will run version 20. We don't do anything fancy with this computer, mainly spreadsheets and word processing. I prefer not to get a laptop, but if that is my only option, so be it. I hope to hear back with some ideas. Thank you in advance. Fondly, Tommi Jordon |
I would look for a used Dell OptiPlex at your local computer store. If you have any extra money look into upgrading the memory to at least 8GB and possibly replace the hard drive.
I would also consider running mate or xfce too. |
Hello MichaelK,
Thank you so much. Dell OptiPlex, which I assume is 64 bit, right? I think I have some RAM stashed away if it's the right configuration. I'll take a look around for one. Thank you. Tommi Jordon |
If you wish to look at a native Linux computer, I have a ThinkPenguin laptop that works quite nicely. They also offer desktops and, within limits, will install the OS of your choice.
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The OptiPlex is Dell's business line of computers which has many different models and configurations. It all depends on what you can find.
I've purchased many used Dell PCs over the years with most outliving their usefulness. |
Hello Frank,
The ThinkPenguin desktop models - Is the cabling standard otc connections? Where are these systems manufactured? I need something super simple because I'm self-taught. Tell me what you would recommend to meet my demands. Spreadsheets, word processing, basic information searches, send & receive PDFs and reports. If I encounter a hardware problem, can most IT people work on them? Sorry, but I really don't know much about this stuff. I have trouble with laptops because I'm demonstrative - always waving my hands - and this causes the laptop to do things I don't want it to do. Thank you for your recommendation. I'll consider this further. Sincerely, Tommi Jordon |
The newest 32bit Optiplex model I have is the 280. Next came the 520 & 620, which may have been available with both 32bit and 64bit CPUs. I have 3 620s with 64bit CPUs. The 745, 755 & 760 models are all 64bit, with DDR2 RAM. The 780 introduced DDR3 RAM, but still was limited by its SATA-II 3MB/s maximum, as were the 790, 960 & 980. I think the first to feature SATA-III 6MB/s was the 7010 in 2012, so it is probably the oldest Optiplex that would would give maximum improvement by using SSD instead of HDD.
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I second having a look at ThinkPenguin's offerings for a new unit.
I bought one from them about a year ago and have been happy with what I got, good quality and price, quick delivery. Although I installed my own choice of Linux not long after it arrived, it came preinstalled with Linux/Mint which made a very good first impression, and everything I played around with worked out of the box, including Bluetooth. My unit was manufactured by Clevo and I am reasonably sure all their offerings are. Email them with your own questions, they responded quickly and completely to my onw requests. |
Hello MrMazda,
I'm searching for a 64bit desktop that runs Mint Mate version 20.2. An SSD would speed it up, I understand, and upgrade the RAM to 8GB. Do you have one of fairly recent manufacture? If so, would you be able to pre-load the Mint Mate OS and configure the memory to accept 8GB? How much is a computer of this configuration? I don't need a keyboard or monitor. A wireless model would be nice, but I can deal with it either way. Please advise. Tommi Jordon |
Hello Astrogeek,
I have already looked at those, and selected a configuration. A quote is already in, which I am considering. Thank you for your input. Hearing about your satisfaction is a big plus. Where is Clevo located, GB? Sincerely, Tommi Jordon |
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To expand on my comments above, I got what I was looking for in a good quality laptop at a fair price. So, what was I looking for exactly? * A basic maintainable laptop I hope to get multiple years of service from * Current CPU (I got an i7/8core) * Lots of SSD storage (I got 2TB) * Lots of RAM (I got 32GB but would have been as happy with less) * Intel graphics (Wished to avoid repeating problems with Nvidia drivers) * Something without M$ installed and useless license to toss out To be fair, I probably paid a little bit of a premium to get the anti-features of NO M$ license and NO high performance graphics, but as said above the quality is good and I thought the price was fair. And I am happy with the outcome... If it will hold up over time and use as well as I hope, I'll be very pleased indeed! |
In addition to the OptiPlex, if you're not opposed to ebay (or have access to business surplus equipment otherwise), you may as well consider some other 'business' or 'workstation' lines like the Dell Precision or HP EliteDesk or lower-end Z series (like Z200s or 400s) - these brandings are far too generic to give you specifics on hardware, so you'd really need to know what specific CPU the machine has (from that we can pretty easily work out the rest of its likely specifications*). As far as serviceability - a lot of this stuff is easy enough to find parts for, but will be proprietary either unto the vendor (e.g. Dell) or the specific model (or a narrow set of models). That's a 'downside' compared to a standard ATX machine, but they also generally make a lot of these things, so finding those proprietary parts usually is no harder than for a standard ATX machine, as long as you're okay with the limits of the weird form factor (and given your described use-case, that should absolutely be the case).
Depending on your budget, you might also look at the Intel NUC barebones and add the RAM and disk drive(s) yourself - some of them are pretty competent little boxes, as long as you don't need a big beefy GPU (which, again, should not be a problem given your described use-case). I would look at the NUC6 or NUC7 or newer if you want to go down that road. * Really quick and dirty I would basically only be interested in anything with Core i* 2nd gen or newer, or equivalent, or AMD FX or Opteron x200/x300 or newer, and ideally newer than either of those, but who knows what you'll find on the used market. I'd avoid old Athlon64s, Pentium 4s, Core 2s, and Phenoms if at all possible - they're just getting up there in years and as mrmazda points out, I/O will probably be the big killer - not just the lack of SATA3, but the lack of USB 3.0, fewer (or no) PCIe slots, and the lack of faster PCIe revisions (many of those won't even have gen2, let alone gen3 or 4) which will make adding updated I/O cards also less optimal. |
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A dedicated brand isn't required for a desktop computer.
A desktop computer should contain following minimum components to properly run Linux 64-Bit for the next few years:
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I had a thread like that a few moinths back and was advised to wait because chip delays were biting, and no graphics cards were to be had - something to do with crypto miners buying them up.
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