Purchasing A Laptop Computer with Linux OS Installed
 

Background:

My laptop, with Linux Mint 21.3 (Cinnamon) installed, died, several days ago. I purchased a new Lenovo laptop @ Staples, returning it within the 10-day grace period. I then purchased a new ASUS laptop @ Wal-Mart, having read that ASUS and Dell laptops are known to be "Linux-friendly"; unfortunately, for me, not so much.

We have a local computer repair guy, who services new/used laptop/desktop computers, and is familiar with Linux, so if I got jammed up, I'm sure he could help me.


Special Request:

I found lots of evilBay vendors, selling new/used laptops, pre-installed with Linux Mint (Cinnamon), but I've been burned by evilBay, in the past, so I would be very greatful if you could recommend reputable vendors, selling new/used laptops, pre-installed with Linux Mint (Cinnamon); this way, I could hit the ground running.


I cherish your knowledge, wisdom and insights, folks.

Thank you for your willingness to help.

Ray

I've been really pleased with System76 in the past, except for their use of Nvidia. But even so, the two laptops I had from them were solid and worked like a charm. If you are in NC then shipping is reasonable. If you are outside the US, then shipping is not reasonable.

Well, DELL has a few for sale (not Mint though). I know there are others out there. Plus do a simple google or duckduckgo search. Easy enough to find.

for example: https://www.techradar.com/best/linux-laptops


https://www.theverge.com/2022/7/21/2...-laptop-ubuntu

That said, I have MSI, Motile, Dell, HP laptops that I've installed Linux on just fine. Hasn't been one that I haven't had a problem with. Just worked.

I see/hear mention of "System76", but I'm not familiar with the brand; I, too, have read that "Nvidia" can be tricky with Linux OS's.

Thanks for your input, Turbocapitalist. :hattip:

This came off ebay for 40 bucks. Had Kali on it. I changed the distro.
Edit: Battery is like new. Came with power adapter.

I've owned it through 2 Debian release cycles. Cat even knocked it off the table .
Here is the sellers store

Packs in my saddlebags and hooks up to phone as a router real well.
Price was excellent for a extra netbook.
Have a bigger IBM laptop I use in the House.

Okay. Yes, I am VERY impressed, sir!

You've been a member here and using Linux for eight years now. This thread seems to tie back to:
https://www.linuxquestions.org/quest...os-4175734798/
https://www.linuxquestions.org/quest...5i-4175735105/

...these. You say that you had an ASUS but somehow it 'wasn't so much' friendly (don't give any details about that), and the Lenovo you did have would have worked just fine. Not sure why someone with eight years experience needs to buy a laptop with Linux on it, when you can easily install it, for free, on pretty much whatever laptop you buy. Sorry, but I've installed Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora, openSUSE, and Mint on a LOT of different laptops with next to zero issues for years now. The only small things I've ever encountered were a missing wifi firmware file or the like...things that were easily remedied.

If you want advice and knowledge, it's best to listen to it; you've been given direction a few times in the past, but seem to ignore it. Go to whatever store you want, and pick up pretty much whatever laptop you want. Burn a Mint ISO image to a USB stick, and boot from it. Erase the hard drive and let the installer go. It just isn't difficult any longer, and hasn't been for a LONG time.

I have been quite satisfied with ThinkPenguin. I have so far purchased two laptops from them, as well as a few accessories, such as USB wireless adapters guaranteed to work with Linux.

They will also let you pick your distro at time of purchase (within some limits, I suspect) and install it for you.

Firstly, I know my limitations, sir. I'm NOT going to mess with ANY computer if I'm not absolutely confident in what I'm doing.

Secondly, please be more respectful. When you point a finger, remember that there are three fingers pointing back at YOU!

This is supposed to be a "safe space", where one can learn. You may want to keep that in mind. ;)

There's two ways of "messing with computers". Messing with hardware is a no-no for quite a lot of people including me, and especially where laptops are concerned. I did manage to install a new drive on my desktop tower, but the community here had to drag me into it kicking and screaming.

On the other hand, installing software is easy and any newbie can do it. Most Linux installation discs run "live", meaning that you can boot from them and immediately use the system on an experimental basis. You can test that all your hardware works under it (especially the network card) and then press the install button onscreen to start the installation.
Do you know about the "ignore" facility? You can ignore any one here that ruffles your feathers. Their posts just disappear and you don't have to read them any more, unless you choose to make one visible. Problem solved.

FenderGuy,

The Lenovo T420 featured on the link for Mountain Locals provided by rokytnji looks a good bet with an SSD as opposed to an older HDD:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/19623566162...IAAOSwaP9lxogT

It has Ubuntu installed and is ready for immediate use.

Should you need technical support from ML, it sounds like it is readily available from a very experienced Linux developer.

If you ever feel like adding more memory, it is very easy to do.

Just have a look at this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLAlTbA5GXQ

I have a Lenovo T440s myself and it is a really solid, well built machine which feels like it will last forever.

Right...so how are you 'learning' when you just seem to want to BUY a laptop with Mint already installed?? Are you learning how to use your credit card?? Doing a basic installation is NOT DIFFICULT, at all, period. You claim to 'cherish' our wisdom...yet when you're advised to do something for yourself, it's somehow too hard??? You can't learn?? These things are contrary to each other.

Want to buy a laptop already installed??? Great...you don't need anyone here. Want to learn??? Then start doing something and ask questions. Pick one of those two options.

Good info here, hazel. Thank you!

This laptop I use in the house also came from the link I posted and with shipping , me buying a new battery. I had a spare power adapter from a dropped
broken screen and keyboard from a IBM T430 that fits and works good. Total cost to me was 60 bucks. Granted my I5 chip is from 2010 and hard drive was 100 gig. The ram specs was the thing that convinced me to pull the trigger because my preferred OS uses hardware lean and mean. It runs fast enough and all hardware works.


Aint had it long yet like the chromebook, < which I learned time and date settings bork apt and firefox > ,
But I am pretty happy with it so far. Posting just on battery now.
I trust that vendor. He does not try and disguise things to make a sale.
Will reply to all messages before the sale.

There is a nice, reputable, local shop around here which has been in prosperous business for many years. They will sell you new or used equipment, either(!) with (at least) a two-year warranty, and they will be happy to install upon it any operating system that you like. Like many other people around town, I have used or recommended this business as a supplier for many years. (I don't believe that they do mail-order.)

They begin with a smile and sensible questions: "What do you need or want to do with a computer today?" "How long do you plan to own it?" "What do you expect to want to be doing with it [X] years from now?" "Is there a particular brand that you feel more comfortable with?" And of course, "what is your expected budget, and any special corporate purchase requirements?" Then, they take time to listen. And, when they answer, you know that they have listened carefully.