Laptop newbie with basic question...

jim_d · 10-19-2016, 07:03 PM

Hello--

I've never previously used a laptop PC.

But now I need a budget laptop for simple tasks like email, web browsing, maybe a few financial transactions. I'll be connecting while on the road, using public WiFi.

My plan is to boot from a LinuxMint18 LiveDVD. I just want to be sure that the refurbished laptops I'm considering allow this--the laptops are:

--Dell Latitude E5400
--Dell Latitude D630
...both have Windows7 and DVD drive

Are there any problems or "gotchas" with Windows7 and these laptops?

Thanks for helping with such an elementary question!

rokytnji · 10-19-2016, 07:42 PM

D630 is pretty low powered. No?

This one runs Windows 10 and you can run Mint in persistence mode off of usb drive and a member on this forum has already stated that it is very Linux friendly.

Plus it is brand new.

https://www.amazon.com/HP-14-an013nr...l?ie=UTF8&s=pc

Timothy Miller · 10-19-2016, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rokytnji

D630 is pretty low powered. No?

This one runs Windows 10 and you can run Mint in persistence mode off of usb drive and a member on this forum has already stated that it is very Linux friendly.

Plus it is brand new.

https://www.amazon.com/HP-14-an013nr...l?ie=UTF8&s=pc

He beat me to it.

I have one of these laptops, they're not exceedingly fast by any means, but they're "fast enough" to do what you're asking, and have a GORGEOUS 1920x1080 14" LCD that's going to be better than the old D630's or E5400 (which aren't that different in age), the E5400 & E6400 are the direct replacements for the D630 (last of the D-series).

You'd probably actually have better performance with that HP than you would with the 6 generation old E5400.

frankbell · 10-19-2016, 08:02 PM

I cannot speak to those two models, but I have generally had very good experiences with Dells (I've had three Dell laptops and two desktops since I've been using Linux), with this caveat: Dell tends to favor Broadcom wireless on their lower-end machines. Broadcom often takes an extra step or two to be got working, but it can be got working.

Timothy Miller · 10-19-2016, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frankbell

I cannot speak to those two models, but I have generally had very good experiences with Dells (I've had three Dell laptops and two desktops since I've been using Linux), with this caveat: Dell tends to favor Broadcom wireless on their lower-end machines. Broadcom often takes an extra step or two to be got working, but it can be got working.

High unlikelihood of those 2 models having Broadcom, VERY FEW (although there are some) latitude models have ever come with Broadcom wireless (business line, so saving that $10 with Broadcom vs. intel isn't as important).

rokytnji · 10-19-2016, 08:10 PM

Yeah, I like Dell also. I have a E5500 that was given to me by a fellow biker for fixing his motorcycle. Then there is my Dell XT2 touchscreen that I like to pack in my saddlebags.

Posting now off this older Dell

Code:

$ inxi -M
Machine:   System: Dell (portable) product: Latitude E4310 v: 0001
           Mobo: Dell model: 0T6M8G v: A01
           Bios: Dell v: A03 date: 07/08/2010
Battery    BAT0: charge: 44.0 Wh 103.9% condition: 42.3/44.0 Wh (96%)

which I tweaked up a bit

Code:

System:    Host: biker Kernel: 4.8.1-antix.1-686-smp-pae i686 (32 bit gcc: 4.9.3) Desktop: IceWM 1.3.8
           Distro: antiX-15-V_386-full Killah P 30 June 2015
Machine:   System: Dell (portable) product: Latitude E4310 v: 0001
           Mobo: Dell model: 0T6M8G v: A01 Bios: Dell v: A03 date: 07/08/2010
Battery    BAT0: charge: 44.0 Wh 103.9% condition: 42.3/44.0 Wh (96%)
           model: Samsung SDI DELL RM6618A status: Full
CPU:       Dual core Intel Core i5 M 520 (-HT-MCP-) cache: 3072 KB
           flags: (lm nx pae sse sse2 sse3 sse4_1 sse4_2 ssse3 vmx) bmips: 9576
           clock speeds: max: 2400 MHz 1: 1599 MHz 2: 1599 MHz 3: 1333 MHz 4: 1333 MHz
Graphics:  Card: Intel Core Processor Integrated Graphics Controller bus-ID: 00:02.0
           Display Server: X.Org 1.16.4 drivers: intel (unloaded: fbdev,vesa) Resolution: 1366x768@60.00hz
           GLX Renderer: Mesa DRI Intel Ironlake Mobile x86/MMX/SSE2
           GLX Version: 2.1 Mesa 10.3.2 Direct Rendering: Yes
Audio:     Card Intel 5 Series/3400 Series High Definition Audio driver: snd_hda_intel bus-ID: 00:1b.0
           Sound: Advanced Linux Sound Architecture v: k4.8.1-antix.1-686-smp-pae
Network:   Card-1: Intel 82577LM Gigabit Network Connection driver: e1000e v: 3.2.6-k port: 6040 bus-ID: 00:19.0
           IF: eth0 state: down mac: <filter>
           Card-2: Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6200 driver: iwlwifi bus-ID: 02:00.0
           IF: wlan0 state: up mac: <filter>
Drives:    HDD Total Size: 60.0GB (47.4% used) ID-1: /dev/sda model: KINGSTON_SV300S3 size: 60.0GB
Partition: ID-1: / size: 7.6G used: 3.8G (53%) fs: ext3 dev: /dev/sda2
           ID-2: /home size: 48G used: 23G (51%) fs: ext3 dev: /dev/sda1
Sensors:   System Temperatures: cpu: 53.0C mobo: N/A
           Fan Speeds (in rpm): cpu: N/A
Info:      Processes: 184 Uptime: 4:31 Memory: 405.9/8021.7MB Init: SysVinit runlevel: 5 Gcc sys: 4.9.2
           Client: Shell (bash 4.3.301) inxi: 2.3.0

but I aquired all of these before I found out about that HP that Timothy Miller was nice enough to tell us about. I probably would have bought that already if I did not already have a collection of laptop computers already. From Atom touchscreen netbooks to old Panasonic Toughbooks to Old Amrel Military laptops.

frankbell · 10-19-2016, 08:15 PM

Quote:

High unlikelihood of those 2 models having Broadcom, VERY FEW (although there are some) latitude models have ever come with Broadcom wireless (business line, so saving that $10 with Broadcom vs. intel isn't as important).

Thanks.

I was too lazy to look them up. Thanks for straightening me out.

Timothy Miller · 10-19-2016, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frankbell

Thanks.

I was too lazy to look them up. Thanks for straightening me out.

It's sad I don't even have to look them up. My wife hates me for my laptops. In the last 10 years, I've probably owned 40-50 various Dell latitudes (going all the way back to the C-series)& Precisions (mobile workstation line, also rare to see Broadcom in that). I have issues...I'm actually contemplating buying another Dell, a Latitude E5250, 1080P 12.5" w/ 5200U/4 GB/128 SSD for $250 shipped. Of course, the issue would be what to get rid of to make room for yet another laptop...

frankbell · 10-19-2016, 08:37 PM

Quote:

In the last 10 years, I've probably owned 40-50 various Dell latitudes

That works out to four or five a year. I stand in awe.

I thought I was in excess when I had three laptops, a netbook, and two desktops, but I tip my hat to you, sir.

offgridguy · 10-20-2016, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timothy Miller

It's sad I don't even have to look them up. My wife hates me for my laptops. In the last 10 years, I've probably owned 40-50 various Dell latitudes (going all the way back to the C-series)& Precisions (mobile workstation line, also rare to see Broadcom in that). I have issues...I'm actually contemplating buying another Dell, a Latitude E5250, 1080P 12.5" w/ 5200U/4 GB/128 SSD for $250 shipped. Of course, the issue would be what to get rid of to make room for yet another laptop...

jim_d · 10-20-2016, 12:17 PM

Thanks for replies--appreciate the suggestions [and patience]--

About Windows 10--does it still use the BIOS system, or the new UEFI? I want to ensure that I'll be able to boot fr/Linux LiveDVD with no hassles--

I looked at this one yesterday, but the sales guy wouldn't let me test it with a Mint18 LiveDVD:

Lenovo-15.6" Laptop-Intel Celeron-4GB Memory-500GB Hard Drive
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/lenovo-1...ustomerreviews

rokytnji · 10-20-2016, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Intel® Celeron® processor N3060

Entry-level dual-core processor for general e-mail, Internet and productivity tasks.

Not as nice as the HP from Amazon in my opinion but if this is your thing

Quote:

500GB hard drive for serviceable file storage space

I'll let Timothy comment on the HP boot and install process. I bet it is painless as all get out though. I have UEFI bios, and on my gear. It is not a show stopper.

Edit: Comment on the laptop was pretty harsh. But then again. I kinda understand when it comes to Windows and weak ass gear.

Quote:

it is so unbelievable slow,

Timothy Miller · 10-20-2016, 01:35 PM

Most any new machine will be UEFI. Most will have the ability to turn off secure boot (haven't seen one that couldn't), and many will also be able to completely turn off UEFI and be used in legacy mode if you so choose. IMO, I prefer UEFI, it's faster, IMO easier to troubleshoot and fix, and I just thoroughly prefer it to MBR.

HP's UEFI spec is...wonky...on some of their hardware. On the an013nr it's actually straightforward and just works. This, from my experience, is odd for HP, but in a good way.

Just about every OS now supports UEFI boot and installation, so no real reason to avoid UEFI nowadays.