On 30/05/2015, John Aten <welcome.to.eye.o.r...@gmail.com> wrote: > Hey all, > > I would like to see if anyone could give some advice or opinions on getting > an inexpensive laptop to run Debian. I plan to use the machine for lighter > duty functions; writing, web browsing, programming, etc. Basically, I am > looking for something with a little more muscle than a Chromebook. Most > laptops that I have seen that come with Debian or other distros preinstalled > seem to be more expensive than I would like, so that of course leaves me > installing it myself. I have researched this, and can never seem to find > solid information on the laptops that are currently available; the > information is usually a little dated. > > I have some experience setting up Debian and other distros, but if there are > problems with hardware configuration, I get out into the deep end fast. I > would like to avoid any problems that are beyond the reach of my very modest > skills. > I see that Dell offers the Inspiron 14 or 15 3000 series non-touch laptop > with Ubuntu preinstalled; this model is around the price/spec range that I > would like. I figure, if it runs Ubuntu, then this is possibly a good > indication that I could install Debian; I was wondering first, if that is a > good assumption, and also if anyone has had any experience with installing > Debian on this particular model. (I have an older Inspiron, on which I have > had good luck installing several different distros, including Debian, but I > don't know that this really indicates anything either.) Second, aside from > this particular model, if anyone has recommendations on any other laptops in > that price/spec range? > > I'd appreciate any help and opinions. > > Thanks, > > J
Hello. Whilst the query is apparently, relatively long, it is vague and unclear. An important point, is where (in which country), you are located. Also, the above text does not include whether you want to run an external monitor (this sometimes, in itself leads to problems, depending on the hardware and the operating system and available drivers). Now, as an example of the need for such information, one of the computers that I have purchased in the last year, is an Acer laptop, with 4GB of RAM, and a 500GB HDD, for about 400AUD (I am in australia, as is shown in my signature. The price would be equivalent to about 300USD, given the present exchange rate, depending on the government and other charges. The computer came with MS Win8 preinstalled, which required the HDD to be reconfigured, which resulted in the MS Win8 installation taking up about 250GB of the HDD, due to the unmovable files. In the text above, I believe you did not specify the minimum HDD capacity, or, other hardware specifications, that you require. the remianing 250GBN of HDD space, therefore, may or may not be adequate for you. Installing Debian was relatively simple; using the inferior system Setup Utility, the boot system was switched from UEFI, to Legacy, and the installation was, as usual, relatively simple. So, depending on your wants and needs, such a computer may fill your needs. Or, it may not. You need to be more specific in your specificantions requirements. Also, you need to specify which version(s) of Debian Linux, you want to install and run. I also have a super-dooper Acer laptop, that cost me about 2000 AUD, with an i7 CPU and 32GB of RAM. It is powerful, and, after 18 months, I am still trying to get it set up to operate the way that I want, with the functionality that I want. Whether you want or need something like that one, is not clear, from your message above, due to the lack of detail. In this, the proverb in my signature, is useful - clear statement of requirements, is needed. -- Bret Busby Armadale West Australia .............. "So once you do know what the question actually is, you'll know what the answer means." - Deep Thought, Chapter 28 of Book 1 of "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: A Trilogy In Four Parts", written by Douglas Adams, published by Pan Books, 1992 .................................................... -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to debian-user-requ...@lists.debian.org with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact listmas...@lists.debian.org Archive: https://lists.debian.org/cacx6j8p2nxlv+6mne+rea+1tg0fgrasonyptat4lsx2ijwk...@mail.gmail.com
