New Machine

[TriBlox6432]

So it's Christmas time which means I'm getting some moneys. And I need a new machine, desperately. I would love some suggestions from the Ubuntu crowd.

My requirements:
1. Run Ubuntu 10.10 out of the box
2. 12 inches
3. Thin
4. At least a gig of ram, two is better
5. 802.11N wireless
6. Bluetooth
7. 8 hours or more of battery life
8. More than a single USB port
9. SD card port
10. Kensington lock
11. A trackpad that doesn't suck
12. Matte lid. Not glossy!

Sounds like a big list, sorry. If someone has better hardware specs they would like to recommend, here is what I will be using it for: Run ubuntu only, watch youtube/hulu videos, torrent, be connected to the internet for browsing and such, school work (open office), installing some other apps, and that's about it.

Thanks!!

[Quadunit404]

Maybe this (http://www.system76.com/product_info.php?cPath=28&products_id=106) will do?

It's $700 and the screen is an inch big but System76 is an Ubuntu OEM with customer service that (mostly) doesn't suck, unlike another Ubuntu OEM *coughcoughDellcoughcough*

[MisterGaribaldi]

Interesting. Out of curiosity, what's the word on System76's build and product quality?

[Quadunit404]

Interesting. Out of curiosity, what's the word on System76's build and product quality?

I don't have a System76 computer as none of them fit my needs, but I've read that their build quality is solid and the product quality is high.

[linuxforartists]

ZaReason (http://zareason.com/shop/Laptops/) is another popular choice for Linux-ready laptops. They can also ship internationally, while I believe System76 only ships within the U.S.

The cheapest and most variety of Linux laptops I've seen are at LinuxCity (http://linucity.com/Scripts/prodList_laptop.asp?idCategory=16). The only problem is I can't find anyone who's actually bought a machine from them. I've looked for blogs, mentions on discussion forums, but came up with nothing.

This computer seemed to come the closest to meeting your requirements: Asus Eee PC 1201 PS 12.1 inch Atom N450 (http://linucity.com/Scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=76). The battery life is a little less because it has an Nvidia graphics card. Although I'd go for that, it's rare to see dedicated graphics cards on netbooks. Anyway, there are lots of other choices on that website.

[asifnaz]

Am I the only-one on the planet using Ubuntu 10.04 on a 100$ laptop

[keithpeter]

Am I the only-one on the planet using Ubuntu 10.04 on a 100$ laptop

No. My recycled Thinkpad T42 laptop cost £100, and the effective IT exchange rate is about £1 = $1.

Google the 'zero dollar laptop'.

Back on thread, try the keyboards on your candidate laptops at a local computer shop if you can. Some of the netbook style computers have small bendy keyboards that I make a lot of mistakes with. The keyboards flex as I type.

[ssam]

12 inch seems the perfect laptop size to me.

cheap option - lenovo S12
in the uk you can get them with linux preinstalled
http://www.linuxemporium.co.uk/products/laptops/

if you have a bit more money then an X series thinkpad

[TriBlox6432]

Hmmm. Thanks for all the help, guys!!

Please tell me more about under $100. This sounds interestingly good. :D

[3Miro]

I have a System 76 (currently with my wife). Great quality machines and great customer service. 100% Ubuntu friendly. Next laptop I am getting will be another Sys76 one (although it may be some time).

[TriBlox6432]

I will look into System 76. Thank you! :D

I'm still trying to find out about the $100 or less laptop but all I can find is the OLPC stuff. And really crappy Win95 machines on craigslist. -_//

[keithpeter]

Hello TriBlox6432

I was replying to asifnaz who mentioned a $100 laptop, which I assume he bought second hand.

I use a second hand T42 thinkpad as my portable, I have a 3 year old core duo desktop as my main machine. Both run Ubuntu.

In the UK, there are a number of companies who specialise in selling refurbished laptops which they buy from large companies who refresh their staff machines every three or four years. Some have 'shops' on e**y and others have their own web sites. The laptops are ex-corporate so were highish end when new, they have a solid construction and full size keyboards that can take a bit of a hammering. I prefer these to 'netbook' style laptops where I find the keyboards flex. I do a lot of typing. I have large hands. I weigh 18 stone. You get the picture :twisted:

Disadvantages of buying refurbished include


Battery: no guaranty and the designs of 4 to 5 years ago were such that 3 hours per charge was good.
Tend to be heavier and thicker: T42 is about 1.25 inches thick and has an optical drive, weights a couple of Kg
May be sluggish with recent software: My T42 runs Ubuntu 10.10 OK ish but you might find it a bit slow on re-drawing when using desktop effects. I sometimes find that with Impress presentations containing complex slides the transition can be a bit slow. Gimp is OK, Inkscape has slow re-draw on drawings with many layers. YouTube is fine as is music and basic sound recording software.


I suggest asking friends, colleagues, local second hand shops if any, if you can boot an older laptop off a live CD and try it out - properly, try to complete a typical task - then you will know if you can live with an older machine.

Check suspend works as well as that can help with shorter running time on batteries. Then I suggest searching the forums here with the model number of a second hand laptop should you decide to buy one to see if there are any issues with the hardware.