Ask HN: Cheap and Cheerful Laptop for BSD/Linux: what are my options?

#1

Post by rbsn » Mon, Nov 03, 2014, 9:13 PM UTC

In the title. I have a 11" 2011 MacBook Air (which I feel is one of my best consumer decisions to date, and isn't going anywhere) but I'm looking to purchase a cheap laptop that I can just run into the ground. It should be compatible with Linux/BSD out of the box. That means integrated graphics and solid network interface cards. What are my options?

Edit: Battery life is not an issue. I am tempted by a cheap desktop, but I hate the idea of having cables everywhere and a great big stinking tower under my desk.

Re: Ask HN: Cheap and Cheerful Laptop for BSD/Linux: what are my options?

#2

Post by taurenk » Mon, Nov 03, 2014, 9:22 PM UTC

I have been using a dell XPS 13 (got it on a deal for $500) and currently dual boot Ubuntu and Windows 10 Preview. I highly recommend the XPS 13 and you can even buy it will Ubuntu pre-installed.

Re: Ask HN: Cheap and Cheerful Laptop for BSD/Linux: what are my options?

#3

Post by sciencesama » Mon, Nov 03, 2014, 9:32 PM UTC

if procssing power is the thing you are looking for go for a desktop, else you can choose a cheap chromebook it can run BSD but it needs some tinkering, unfortunately there are very few linux boxes that come out of the box, inedeed Dell XPS 13 is an amazing laptop period. may be the only one ;) also you can go through raigs list and buy a server for lessthan 100 bucks

Re: Ask HN: Cheap and Cheerful Laptop for BSD/Linux: what are my options?

#4

Post by otoburb » Mon, Nov 03, 2014, 9:33 PM UTC

Does it have to be new? What about second hand Lenovo X230 models and their ilk? Running Ubuntu just fine on an old X201 to satisfy a similar itch.

Re: Ask HN: Cheap and Cheerful Laptop for BSD/Linux: what are my options?

#5

Post by thecrumb » Mon, Nov 03, 2014, 9:37 PM UTC

I picked up a cheap Thinkpad T420 from the Lenovo outlet. It's a few years old model but has the great keypad, touch pointer and runs Linux Mint w/no issues.

Re: Ask HN: Cheap and Cheerful Laptop for BSD/Linux: what are my options?

#6

Post by epsylon » Mon, Nov 03, 2014, 9:40 PM UTC

A second hand Lenovo is what you seek. X or T series, I'd recommend staying in the 220 series or earlier, if you really want cheap. They are indestructible as laptops, have great keyboards, decent specs and good Linux support out of the box (depending on distro, of course).

Re: Ask HN: Cheap and Cheerful Laptop for BSD/Linux: what are my options?

#7

Post by Alupis » Mon, Nov 03, 2014, 9:48 PM UTC

I've never had a problem with any Thinkpad, be it your Linux distro of choice or BSD (PCBSD is probably the best desktop BSD distro).

System76 also makes amazing laptops that "just work" out of the box with Linux (most distros). They even have full support sine they sell with Ubuntu pre-installed.

Dell has a good track record for me as well, although I personally prefer the T series Thinkpads myself.

Re: Ask HN: Cheap and Cheerful Laptop for BSD/Linux: what are my options?

#8

Post by Alupis » Mon, Nov 03, 2014, 9:49 PM UTC

taurenk wrote: post #2

I have been using a dell XPS 13 (got it on a deal for $500) and currently dual boot Ubuntu and Windows 10 Preview. I highly recommend the XPS 13 and you can even buy it will Ubuntu pre-installed.

Sadly, the pre-installed Ubuntu version (Sputnik) is $100 more expensive than the Windows version. (I suspect some sort of back-room deal with Microsoft).

With that said, it is a great choice for a Linux laptop.

Re: Ask HN: Cheap and Cheerful Laptop for BSD/Linux: what are my options?

#9

Post by dutchrapley » Mon, Nov 03, 2014, 9:54 PM UTC

epsylon wrote: post #6

A second hand Lenovo is what you seek. X or T series, I'd recommend staying in the 220 series or earlier, if you really want cheap. They are indestructible as laptops, have great keyboards, decent specs and good Linux support out of the box (depending on distro, of course).

I saw this deal recently - $399

Refurbished: Lenovo T420 Intel Core i5 2520M 2.5GHz 8GB / 128GB SSD

http://www.neweggflash.com/Product/9SIA3TX2064547?icid=WP_0_...

Edited: price.

Re: Ask HN: Cheap and Cheerful Laptop for BSD/Linux: what are my options?

#10

Post by Alupis » Mon, Nov 03, 2014, 9:55 PM UTC

epsylon wrote: post #6

A second hand Lenovo is what you seek. X or T series, I'd recommend staying in the 220 series or earlier, if you really want cheap. They are indestructible as laptops, have great keyboards, decent specs and good Linux support out of the box (depending on distro, of course).

Probably should note that Red Hat outfits all staffers with a Thinkpad T series (current gen), and just did a massive refresh of a few thousands of them. T series should "just work" with no fuss. In my experience, T series has always been "no fuss". Can't go wrong with this one.