[SOLVED] Class is buying a computer for one member who can't afford one

Kytsuine · 09-01-2015, 08:50 PM

One of the classes I am enrolled in practically requires access to a computer to pass, and one of my classmates cannot afford a computer. As a class, we are pitching in to get her a computer, and we have an approximate budget of $300 (estimated. We currently have collected $89 and a bunch of promises.) We hope to get her a laptop or netbook for use as a school laptop that will hopefully last her at least 4 years. As a stretch goal, if we have money left over, we might get her a printer and/or a drawing tablet (her planned majors are sequential art and animation.) She is completely unfamiliar with computers and the Windows interface, so I expect that any reasonable OS would be fine for her. She has a great ability to find her way around technology (she is one of three people in the class that understand how our projector works,) so that's not a problem. Since I'm the person in the class with the most knowledge of computers, I was chosen to decide on what precisely to get her. Oh, and she doesn't have internet access. What would you recommend that we get for her? (I already have a spare USB mouse, a pair of headphones, and am willing to replace/upgrade parts (e.g. put in a larger hard drive in a Chromebook.))

I will probably be able to respond to this topic most days between about 5:00 and 9:00 U.S. Central Time.

For help and support purposes, I have used Ubuntu 14.04, Linux Mint, Vector Linux, and Porteus; with desktops of Cinnamon, KDE, LXDE, XFCE, Unity, Openbox, and some variants of those. I currently run Ubuntu with Openbox and/or Cinnamon (depending on whether I am working or casually internetting, respectively.)

If you can think of anything else you need to know, just ask. I'll try to answer as best as I can.

Thank you all so much for helping to make this gift the best one possible!

fatmac · 09-02-2015, 03:57 AM

Welcome aboard.

Any laptop/notebook produced in the last 5 years will likely be suitable for use with Linux, but consider well known brands first, as they will likely be easiest to get graphics working without a hitch. (Avoid Chromebooks.)

My personal recommendation is for AntiX MX, Debian based, uses XFCE desktop, has a user manual, a friendly forum, & is light on resources. http://antix.mepis.com/index.php?title=Main_Page

Debian has the biggest selection of programs of any of the distros. Lack of internet access will not be a problem for installing extra programs as long as someone can download them for her, as they can be installed on her machine by the package manager.

Kytsuine · 09-02-2015, 06:44 AM

Thank you. When it comes to purchasing a netbook, I was simply worried about how much was enough for usability on various distros. I know that my 5 year old (ish?) HP Pavilion still runs beautifully, but on the other hand, the Toshiba Satellite I had before that became unusable in about three years. My biggest questions are:
What type of processor should I aim for?
Is a ssd worth the cost and reduced storage space?
Are any brands known for being incompatible with Debian-based distros?

Again, thanks for the help.

rokytnji · 09-02-2015, 09:40 AM

If in the USA. I am posting from a 40 dollar touchscreen netbook bought used off ebay with no charger adapter or harddrive when I purchased it. It only had 3 gig of ram also at the time. Wacom Pen was in slot.

After a SSD hard drive purchase. 60 bucks
A Dell power adapter purchase. 15 bucks
2 gigs more of ram to bump to 5 gig. 12 bucks.

total cost of unit before Linux install now at 127 bucks. This turned this into a nice speedy laptop with a touchscreen working interface. Is Light and hardy.

Specs:

Code:

$ inxi -Fxz
System:    Host: harry-Latitude-XT2 Kernel: 4.2.0-linuxlite i686 (32 bit gcc: 4.8.4)
           Desktop: Xfce 4.11.8 (Gtk 2.24.23) Distro: Ubuntu 14.04 trusty
Machine:   System: Dell product: Latitude XT2
           Mobo: Dell model: 0HJ48R Bios: Dell v: A01 date: 05/07/2009
CPU:       Dual core Intel Core2 Duo U9600 (-MCP-) cache: 3072 KB
           flags: (lm nx pae sse sse2 sse3 sse4_1 ssse3 vmx) bmips: 6379
           clock speeds: max: 1601 MHz 1: 1200 MHz 2: 1200 MHz
Graphics:  Card: Intel Mobile 4 Series Integrated Graphics Controller
           bus-ID: 00:02.0
           Display Server: X.Org 1.15.1 drivers: intel (unloaded: fbdev,vesa)
           Resolution: 1280x800@60.1hz
           GLX Renderer: Mesa DRI Mobile Intel GM45 Express x86/MMX/SSE2
           GLX Version: 2.1 Mesa 10.1.3 Direct Rendering: Yes
Audio:     Card Intel 82801I (ICH9 Family) HD Audio Controller
           driver: snd_hda_intel bus-ID: 00:1b.0
           Sound: Advanced Linux Sound Architecture v: k4.2.0-linuxlite
Network:   Card-1: Intel 82567LM Gigabit Network Connection
           driver: e1000e v: 3.2.5-k port: efe0 bus-ID: 00:19.0
           IF: eth0 state: down mac: <filter>
           Card-2: Intel WiFi Link 5100 driver: iwlwifi bus-ID: 0c:00.0
           IF: wlan0 state: up mac: <filter>
Drives:    HDD Total Size: 180.0GB (28.6 used)
           ID-1: /dev/sda model: D2CSTK181M11 size: 180.0GB
Partition: ID-1: / size: 8.6G used: 4.8G (59) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda1
           ID-2: /home size: 157G used: 44G (30) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda2
RAID:      No RAID devices: /proc/mdstat, md_mod kernel module present
Sensors:   System Temperatures: cpu: 50.0C mobo: N/A
           Fan Speeds (in rpm): cpu: N/A
Info:      Processes: 177 Uptime: 3:15 Memory: 987.5/5004.5MB
           Init: Upstart runlevel: 2 Gcc sys: 4.8.4
           Client: Shell (bash 4.3.111) inxi: 2.2.27

intel wifi N. Runs fast. Runs good. Parts are cheap. Lots of features but no internal webcam. Need external usb webcam if needed for class. My Dell e4500 is pretty industrial and heavy duty with a bigger screen than this.

Good Deals are to be had also on IBM T400 laptops that are used. Not sure if you want new or used though. The T400 is built like a tank.

Since on a 300 buck budget. Chromebooks require online functioning. I know because I own a Acer C710 Chromebook also I bought as a open box return on ebay for 79 bucks.
It is a sweet unit also. But requires a INTERNET connection for a lot of functions.
Nice thing you folks are doing for that girl.

Good luck with what ever you set her up with, Rok

orbea · 09-02-2015, 09:46 AM

Can't go wrong with something like a Thinkpad t420 and should cost lest than $300, would be a nice compromise between quality and price.

Kytsuine · 09-02-2015, 12:59 PM

Thanks, Roky.
I think that I will do something like that, as it would leave money to get her a printer and possibly a drawing tablet. I'll shop around tonight. Thanks again!

rokytnji · 09-02-2015, 02:46 PM

It will be kind of hit or miss on battery life. Mine meets in the middle where not the greatest, but not the worst either.

Code:

~$ acpi -b
Battery 0: Discharging, 97, 02:48:25 remaining

Parts are cheap though.=used

New

ardvark71 · 09-02-2015, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kytsuine

One of the classes I am enrolled in practically requires access to a computer to pass, and one of my classmates cannot afford a computer. As a class, we are pitching in to get her a computer, and we have an approximate budget of $300 (estimated. We currently have collected $89 and a bunch of promises.)

Hi...

Welcome to the forum

Thank you and your classmates for your kindness towards this woman, it's really nice that you guys are doing this for her!

In addition to what others have recommended, I would suggest that whatever you buy, make sure that all the components of this system are readily supported ("out of the box," as much as possible) by Linux. This is really important and will make it a lot easier for everyone concerned.

Regards...

jefro · 09-02-2015, 05:19 PM

I see sales of 15 inch laptops in the $200 range that should be OK for general use.

There are tons of refurbished stuff out there. I used to buy those all the time and have been generally happy.

Kytsuine · 09-02-2015, 08:05 PM

Ardvark: This is true, I'll probably ask any potential seller for a parts list and google them all.
Jefro: I've seen most of those, but I'll probably go with the pre-owned idea.

Kytsuine · 09-03-2015, 06:20 AM

Okay, a local lady is selling a good laptop at a price we can't refuse. The decision has been made, but I might need advice once I actually get it. I'm not sure of forum etiquette here: do I close the thread now or when the laptop is given to her and she starts thanking us all profusely?

rokytnji · 09-03-2015, 07:38 AM

If me. I'd give just a few small details on the laptop you are buying from the lady. Then use the thread tools above your 1st post to mark this thread as solved.

That should cover it I think. Here is hoping the girl is getting a good functional unit.
Good luck, Rok

onlyonemac · 09-03-2015, 09:37 AM

I haven't read the whole thread but the main thing is to make sure that you get an Intel graphics card. I've yet to get the 3D accelleration working on any of my nVidia cards, but we've also had three Intel cards and they all worked out of the box. It may be hard to find that information out before the purchase though...

As far as software goes, for what it's worth I'll recommend Linux Mint with the MATE desktop environment mainly because a) Linux Mint includes all the difficult-to-set-up codecs out of the box and b) I prefer MATE to Cinnamon, but that's really just my preference and while I hate the Ubuntu desktop environment and somehow managed to totally break the system twice while trying to get YouTube to work nevertheless there's nothing wrong with those systems either. As she is not an experienced user, I doubt she would be able to give much feedback if you showed her a few desktop environments and asked her which one she preferred, otherwise I would recommend that to ease your decision of software.

Kytsuine · 09-03-2015, 04:39 PM

Thank you all again for your help and advice. I will be purchasing a laptop off of our local resale network (after investigating it, of course, with a live CD for compatibility (the seller will probably think I'm practising black magic or something.

) and upgrading it as necessary. I will install Linux Mint with the Cinnamon and desktop, as I am most used to it among the Mint desktops. If I need help again, I will start another thread. I think I can consider this plea for help answered. Thank you all.
God bless,
Kytsuine

oldtechaa · 09-04-2015, 07:24 AM

Let us know how it turns out, if Linux works all right and everything.