New laptop?

[Q]

So, my current Dell Studio 1555 (http://www.cnet.com/products/dell-studio-1555-15-6-core-2-duo-t6500-vista-home-premium-4-gb-ram-320-gb-hdd/specs/) begins to show its age. A few years ago I've changed the harddisk and purchased a larger battery, but these too are now beginning to wear down.

So, it would be about time to start thinking about a new laptop. Given that my main rig is now a desktop, a new laptop could be a whole lot lighter in HDD space, so I' m considering a 128GB SSD as a reasonable minimum.

The second major requirement is that I kinda want to 'vote with my wallet' this time around and purchase a good laptop that focusses on open source software. I have three potential candidates for this, but I'm open for suggestions:
- The Purism (https://puri.sm/) Librem 15 (or 13, which will be out soon): A laptop that is as open source as possible, down to the bootloaders, BIOS and other firmware and which is shipping with Trisquel Linux (https://trisquel.info/), a fully open/free distribution. No binary blobs, no hidden agenda, full control, but at a pricetag.
- One of the System76 (https://system76.com/laptops) laptops: This US based Linux vendor offers a variety of possibilities. But they have no ultrabook model (no, I don't think the Galago Ultrapro is one).
- Go corporate and buy the Dell (http://www.dell.com/us/business/p/xps-13-linux/pd) XPS 13 'developer edition': It comes with Ubuntu 14.04 and it is quite a respectable machine. The Dutch Dell store only sells the 512GB SSD variant, but (currently) for 1299 Euros.

I'm not about to buy one, but I'm 'on the market' to buy one somewhere this or maybe next year. What do you think? Are there maybe other/better solutions?

[Tim Cornelis]

I wanted to give input, I really did, but I did not understand any of that. Sorry.

[Q]

I wanted to give input, I really did, but I did not understand any of that. Sorry.
I still wub you :wub:

[ckaihatsu]

I'll suggest, instead of thinking of this as a *major infrastructure overhaul*, maybe think of it as the taking-on of a new gadget or toy, since prices are down to where computers are practically *disposable*, arguably.

You could buy a used laptop for $100-$200, a new laptop for $200+, and now there are Windows tablets for $100+.

Also, the technology these days is overkill for most people's needs, and most people would do fine with just a laptop and a tablet.

[Creative Destruction]

It's dependent on your needs. What do you usually do?

[Bala Perdida]

Be careful with the open-source and the new windows 8.1
The screen on my laptop is starting to break off so I got a new one. A used acer $250 USD. I installed OpenSUSE to dual-boot, but it was still booting straight to windows without giving me the option for OpenSUSE. When I was trying to fix that I ended up wiping windows 8 off the hard drive. Now I'm trying to getbit back, and since OpenSUSE sucked I uninstalled it and currently have no OS. I liked xubuntu, but I need windows to run certain programs.

[Creative Destruction]

Be careful with the open-source and the new windows 8.1
The screen on my laptop is starting to break off so I got a new one. A used acer $250 USD. I installed OpenSUSE to dual-boot, but it was still booting straight to windows without giving me the option for OpenSUSE. When I was trying to fix that I ended up wiping windows 8 off the hard drive. Now I'm trying to getbit back, and since OpenSUSE sucked I uninstalled it and currently have no OS. I liked xubuntu, but I need windows to run certain programs.

Did you try going into the BIOS and changing the boot order? Also, you can use Wine in order to run many Windows programs, or you can install a Windows virtual machine inside your linux installation.

It took me a while to get used to Ubuntu's unity interface, but after doing some mods to it, I love it.

eta. nvm about the first question. I just saw that Windows 8 doesn't use BIOS. wtf. i found this on how to dual boot Windows 8 and Linux:

http://itsfoss.com/install-ubuntu-1404-dual-boot-mode-windows-8-81-uefi/

[ckaihatsu]

Be careful with the open-source and the new windows 8.1
The screen on my laptop is starting to break off so I got a new one. A used acer $250 USD. I installed OpenSUSE to dual-boot, but it was still booting straight to windows without giving me the option for OpenSUSE. When I was trying to fix that I ended up wiping windows 8 off the hard drive. Now I'm trying to getbit back, and since OpenSUSE sucked I uninstalled it and currently have no OS. I liked xubuntu, but I need windows to run certain programs.





I can now say that I'm pleased with Linux Mint Debian Edition (MATE), and that it's very easy to install, set up, and tweak to get a good-functioning and good-looking desktop environment going, for free.


computer technical support thread

http://www.revleft.com/vb/computer-technical-support-t160520/index.html

[Bala Perdida]

Did you try going into the BIOS and changing the boot order? Also, you can use Wine in order to run many Windows programs, or you can install a Windows virtual machine inside your linux installation.

It took me a while to get used to Ubuntu's unity interface, but after doing some mods to it, I love it.

eta. nvm about the first question. I just saw that Windows 8 doesn't use BIOS. wtf. i found this on how to dual boot Windows 8 and Linux:

http://itsfoss.com/install-ubuntu-1404-dual-boot-mode-windows-8-81-uefi/
I dunno about virtual machine, but wine couldn't handle flash cs5 or another game I play. Also, yeah the windows 8 quick start caused the problem. Also the one I got is touch screen and I couldn't get a good interface with ubuntu/xubuntu. Just a secondary mouse basically

computer technical support thread

http://www.revleft.com/vb/computer-technical-support-t160520/index.html
Thanx bozz I'll be sure to check that out next time I fuck up.

[Ro Laren]

I voted for the Dell since its the sleekest of the bunch and I've had good luck with my XPS laptop.

If it were me, personally, I'd probably just spend $1000~ to build a nice desktop and then the rest on a Chromebook to throw Linux on. But it really depends on what you're using it for and all that.

[Creative Destruction]

I dunno about virtual machine, but wine couldn't handle flash cs5 or another game I play. Also, yeah the windows 8 quick start caused the problem. Also the one I got is touch screen and I couldn't get a good interface with ubuntu/xubuntu. Just a secondary mouse basically

was this a tablet? windows is such a clusterfuck.

[Bala Perdida]

was this a tablet? windows is such a clusterfuck.
Nah, a notebook or whatever you call a laptop. Pretty good specs. 500gb 4gb ram. Intel core i3 I didn't think the touchscreen would be necessary, but for the 2 days I used it it was pretty sick. Also I don't know if my mouse pad right clicks. I'm pretty sure it did when I first got it. So I wanna see if that'll be different on windows too. I got a mouse anyways so it's okay if not. And ctrl click or whatever didn't work in xubuntu.

[Sea]

The Core 2 Duo and 4gb RAM aren't really all that bad even for a newer OS considering most new OSs run fine on light low-power stuff. If I were you I'd do some memtest and stess testing to make sure everything is OK, and if it is buy a new battery and SSD. You have some Mini PCI-E slots in there and the CPU is socketed. Look into upgrading the CPU to a quad core one and see if it'll take an mSATA SSD. Newegg is selling mobile Core 2 Duos for like $20. See if you can find a quad in the right socket with the right FSB speed. I'm not sure what's out there on NL sites but it seems like that laptop is at a really good sweet spot for having cheap parts without being too old. Check the socket when you crack it open and clean the dust out of the heat sink and blower. Maybe go to 8gb ram too. It's DDR2 so it should hardly cost anything.

If those upgrade options pan out, keep it!

[Q]

It's dependent on your needs. What do you usually do?
A fair question. I've recently started a small company (I'm not going to work at Apple forever if I can help it, ugh) supporting Linux home users. The laptop would typically be used for work purposes.


Be careful with the open-source and the new windows 8.1
This is a non-issue for me as I'm not planning on running Windows at all.


The screen on my laptop is starting to break off so I got a new one. A used acer $250 USD. I installed OpenSUSE to dual-boot, but it was still booting straight to windows without giving me the option for OpenSUSE. When I was trying to fix that I ended up wiping windows 8 off the hard drive. Now I'm trying to getbit back, and since OpenSUSE sucked I uninstalled it and currently have no OS. I liked xubuntu, but I need windows to run certain programs.
That is unfortunate. Seems you would be a prime case for my company's support :p


I voted for the Dell since its the sleekest of the bunch and I've had good luck with my XPS laptop.
Fair enough. It has great specs and it does come with Ubuntu out of the box. My concern is what will happen five years down the road regarding Dell's support on it (my expected lifespan for the unit).


If it were me, personally, I'd probably just spend $1000~ to build a nice desktop and then the rest on a Chromebook to throw Linux on. But it really depends on what you're using it for and all that.
A Chromebook might be another option, but their SSD's are like really tiny. I know I could just swap that, but... Not sure.


The Core 2 Duo and 4gb RAM aren't really all that bad even for a newer OS considering most new OSs run fine on light low-power stuff. If I were you I'd do some memtest and stess testing to make sure everything is OK, and if it is buy a new battery and SSD.
That could be another option, yes. Given that I'm currently strap on cash, a very viable option indeed.


You have some Mini PCI-E slots in there and the CPU is socketed.
It's a Dell. I kinda doubt it.


Look into upgrading the CPU to a quad core one and see if it'll take an mSATA SSD. Newegg is selling mobile Core 2 Duos for like $20. See if you can find a quad in the right socket with the right FSB speed. I'm not sure what's out there on NL sites but it seems like that laptop is at a really good sweet spot for having cheap parts without being too old. Check the socket when you crack it open and clean the dust out of the heat sink and blower. Maybe go to 8gb ram too. It's DDR2 so it should hardly cost anything.

If those upgrade options pan out, keep it!
Will look into it :)

[Sea]

It's a Dell. I kinda doubt it.


Will look into it :)I looked up a pic of the motherboard on google images. It has 2 mini pci-e slots in addition to the one that houses the wifi card. I don't know if they'd be free or not. They might only be filled on certain models.

The CPU is in a little purple socket, not sure what kind but it should be easy to see if you open it up.

edit: Looks like a PGA-4 socket.

http://g02.a.alicdn.com/kf/UT8PbuIXgNcXXagOFbXY/121208159/UT8PbuIXgNcXXagOFbXY.jpg
http://www.computerrecyclingllc.com/eBay_Inventory/images/20130530/7518-5015-20130530-5118.JPG

[MarxSchmarx]

One thing I have heard in chrome books favor are battery life for the processing power. I'd personally try to find one that hits the sweet spot in terms of display. Since it sounds like you're going to wipe the os anyway, unless you get a discount on proprietary software you must have ( eg your client's special database language/API/AutoCAD kinda thing) your task is to find the best display at the fastest processor for the longest battery life at the cheapest cost possible. Chrome books are sold at a steep discount making this constraint easier to satisfy.

[Bala Perdida]

Oh god finally!

Got windows 8.1 back, and I'm dual booting with Xubuntu. Now I just gotta install my respective softwares onto each. Also my right click doesn't work in Xubuntu, but it does in windows. Just like before. I guess it's just a driver linux can't read.

[Q]

Oh god finally!

Got windows 8.1 back, and I'm dual booting with Xubuntu. Now I just gotta install my respective softwares onto each. Also my right click doesn't work in Xubuntu, but it does in windows. Just like before. I guess it's just a driver linux can't read.

That rightclick is pretty odd. I doubt it is a driver issue. More likely a setting problem. Do you use a mouse or trackpad? What environment are you using (Unity, Gnome, KDE...)?

[Bala Perdida]

That rightclick is pretty odd. I doubt it is a driver issue. More likely a setting problem. Do you use a mouse or trackpad? What environment are you using (Unity, Gnome, KDE...)?
I'm using the built in trackpad, but an external mouse works perfect too. Also the environment is Xfce.