Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Computing/2023 March 31

= March 31 =

Chromebooks
I need to stop sitting at the desktop computer quite as much for health reasons. Therefore I’m looking at a portable device to connect to the main PC (currently on Alma 8.7) that I can use in a recliner chair or in bed.

I was wondering about a laptop, but they all seem (1) expensive and (2) have Windows pre-installed. Chrome books seem much cheaper, but are they any use? Basically all I would need would be the browser, LibreOffice and multiple console windows to ssh onto the server. Can ChronOS do this, preferably without sending all my data to Google? Alternatively, has anyone installed Alma9 in a chromebook? Martin of Sheffield (talk) 21:28, 31 March 2023 (UTC)


 * "preferably without sending all my data to Google" Chromebooks are 'online' machines. While they can work offline, the integration of ChromeOS with Google services is very tight and it depends a lot on cloud services. These machines are cheap, because they are limited in what they can do/have to support. Installing Linux instead of ChromeOS on these is possible (I'd get an Intel based Chromebook if you want to do this). But... installing Linux on a Chromebook does require you to have some experience installing and supporting Linux. It is definetly more finnicky than a normal Linux install, so if you run into problems, you will need to know year way around the Terminal and have understanding of how Linux works (services/file system etc). What might be an idea is to find a DIY computershop that is willing to install Linux on the Chromebook FOR you (but those are hard to find in many areas).
 * My personal advice for ppl looking for cheaper laptops is always to scour 2nd hand market places and find a more high end machine of 1 to 2 years old. I find these have better longevity, better build quality, better screens (screen quality on low end machines is abysmal in my opinion), while shipping the same or sometimes even more powerful raw components than the current low end machines. —Th e DJ (talk • contribs) 11:15, 3 April 2023 (UTC)
 * The last 20 years of my working life I was supporting UNIX and Linux machines in a supercomputing centre, so thanks for the warning but it's not an issue. I'm usually working at the terminal line, indeed I started my career with a VT125 as my "window" into a VAX system.  Good point though about the second hand market.  I've had problems in the past with second hand laptops which had sticky or non-functioning keys, but maybe I was just unlucky.  I've just had a quick look on Ebay, and there seem to be lots of ThinkPads for £150-£250.  Any other suggestions for a decent "high end machine of 1 to 2 years old"?  I'll confess to being a bit of a novice in the small machine market.  Thanks, Martin of Sheffield (talk) 11:50, 3 April 2023 (UTC)
 * At work I have a Stone Notebook 1210 15 running Fedora 29 from new (2018) - no problems at all. Obviously with second hand machines you take a risk. I think there are companies who sell refurbs on ebay, and if you can be sure you are buying from one, rather than Joe Blow, you will probably get a better machine. The laptop I mentioned came from Stone direct. They have a refurb arm https://www.stonerefurb.co.uk/laptops/refurbished-windows-laptops with a "help me choose" at the bottom of the page. I am in no way connected to Stone! --TrogWoolley (talk) 14:00, 3 April 2023 (UTC)
 * If you work for an organisation that has a substantial IT estate, see if they sell off 'old' laptops. A 3-4 year old laptop that may not run the latest version of Windows very well would run Linux with no problems. I equipped my whole family with s/h laptops from a previous employer when COVID closed the schools. I still use one as my personal computer. -- Verbarson talkedits 15:48, 3 April 2023 (UTC)