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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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13" or smaller Linux laptop - best replacement for aging chromebook? (lemm.ee)

submitted 11 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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I want to get my partner a replacement for an aging chromebook. I was thinking it would be easiest to just grab another super budget chromebook and call it a day. But the more I read about google and chrome, the less I want to do with them.

So my goal is to snag a cheap ($300ish?) laptop that I can slap Linux on (probably mint, but I’m open to suggestions).

The main caveat is the size- needs to be small. Current chromebook is 11.5” I think. I’d like to keep it under 13”. The main use (95% will be web browsing/streaming/email/bullshit) but I’d like it to have enough juice to play Minecraft on my local server.

I’ve looked around a bit, but my god there is a lot of options. I’d love it if there was just a recommendation that was proven to work. I’m busy enough tinkering with all the other tech, and I’d like to just set this one up and forget it.

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[–] [email protected] 9 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Yeah, I should be more clear. I'm talking about laptops that the manufacture openly supports or ships a linux distro with it. I just assume OP already knows he can do a bit of research and get a decent $300 laptop from like lenovo/acer/hp/dell/etc.. and install linux on it.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 11 months ago (2 children)

I’m comfortable doing the Linux swap on an old dell, but I guess what I’m looking for is a recommendation of a device that is known to work well for that purpose.

Are there any “gotchas” that I should be looking out for in the hunt?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 months ago

It's hard to recommend because sometimes with cheaper laptops they have weird wifi chip sets, audio chip sets, and stuff for controlling the lcd back light, f-keys, etc... Also sometimes they have weird way to boot into the boot menu that may not be well documented. I don't really know what brand or models should be avoided though.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

If you're hunting down older eqipment (5, 6 years old), no, not really... everything just works with Linux and older stuff. The newer stuff is always the problem with any OS that is not Windows (though that is changing for the better in the last few years, especially for Linux).