this post was submitted on 28 Aug 2024
43 points (89.1% liked)
Linux
48742 readers
1235 users here now
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).
Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.
Rules
- Posts must be relevant to operating systems running the Linux kernel. GNU/Linux or otherwise.
- No misinformation
- No NSFW content
- No hate speech, bigotry, etc
Related Communities
Community icon by Alpár-Etele Méder, licensed under CC BY 3.0
founded 5 years ago
MODERATORS
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
view the rest of the comments
An old Chromebook sounds perfect.
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=Chromebook+10+inch
Looks like most of those are 11.6". Double check before buying that it can be wiped and you can put Linux on it.
I own old Chromebook.
Chromebook software updates are not forever.
It is my understanding that some Chromebooks might be locked in such a way that installation of Linux might NOT be an option or the might be a high chance of bricking the device.
At least that was the case with my Chromebook.
So, once OS updates are unavailable, the machine might become a weak link from security standpoint or stop running some software.
Chromebook is still a great option, but be careful with very old ones.
It's always worth checking if MrChromebox supports your specific Chromebook. I got Debian running on an old Chromebook a few months back for fun, but I had to compile a custom kernel to get audio working because AMD Stoney Ridge is weird.
That's why I specified:
I got a $50 EOL Chromebook that I loaded CinnaMint (it's right there... Why say "Mint Cinnamon "...) on.
I use it as my sketchy torrent getting machine, Because if something goes wrong, oh well.
What is sketchy about downloading a torrent that it could save you from? Wouldn't it be executing whatever you downloaded on another machine that would be the risky part?
Or at least be able to ssh into a linux environment.
Came to second this. I have an old hp Chromebook that is indestructible, has insane battery life, and still has a few years of updates left. The built in Linux terminal is fine and just about anything you can get through apt-get, dpkg, or otherwise works fine as well (if there is an arm version), it'll even add menu entries for GUI apps.
I do light reading or dev work on it, and use the built in terminal to keep track of and ssh into my remote boxes. I take it on the road to take notes or hop on a wifi.
When I first got it the interface was kinda crap for a laptop, but through the updates (dark mode, new menu, etc) it's actually just fine now.
It's slow, low ram and only usable for a few tabs at a time, but for what I use it for it does fine, and it was cheap enough I won't cry if it dies.
Yep, that's what I started with. I had a 2014 Toshiba Chromebook with 16 GB storage and 2 GB memory.
It was my lil ssh/vnc machine for the longest time until the battery stopped working. I replaced it with a proper Thinkpad recently.
Mine is a 2020 with 32gb storage and 3gb ram but same ballpark. I just replaced my PC earlier this year but the Chromebook is next. I'm looking at renewed HP elitebooks or renewed ThinkPads, but I'm not sure either come in a size OP would want.