[Wylug-discuss] Recommendations please: Ubuntu-compatible Cheapo laptop, no/few config hoops to jump

[John Robert Hudson]

Hi Dave

I picked up a £200 Toshiba laptop a year ago and there appear to be similar 
offers on other Toshiba laptops at present. I couldn't get UEFI to work (it 
wouldn't allow efibootmgr to write the necessary stuff) but it has a 
'compatibility mode' which means I can install and run stuff in legacy mode.

I've had no problem using the various features on it with Linux. I suggest you 
wander round somewhere like Staples or PCWorld and look at what they have on 
offer to see if they have what you need in the way of keys.

Also it wasn't hard to find a Toshiba manual for it online. So if you like the 
look of a particular model, you can probably download its manual to check the 
specs.

John
--
On Wednesday 23 Dec 2015 20:58:39 Dave Fisher wrote:
> We've been using Asus C720 chromebooks for teaching over the last
> couple of years.
> 
> Only 2 significant flaws:
> 1. Over 50% attrition rate on SSDs ... yeah, that bad
> 2. Lack of Home/End PgUp/PgDn keys ... and lack of documentation about
> how to permanently re-map keys in modern Linux GUIs
> 
> Problem 1 means that I now urgently need to replace at least 2 cbooks
> (immediately) and probably more in the next couple of months.
> 
> I'd rather buy a stack of identical machines, so we can have one
> config and cannibalise if necessary.
> 
> Unfortunately, I'm clueless about the current status of 'secure boot'
> BIOS stuff.
> 
> Can you still install Linux on all / nearly all by using a 'legacy bios'
> option?
> 
> Anyone know of recent machines (under £250, maybe  £300 at a pinch)
> that are known to 'just work'?
> 
> Oh ... I should have mentioned, these replacement laptops need to be
> light-weight. Non-negiiable, cos our trainers often carry 4 or more to
> training sessions.
> 
> So I'm looking for stuff at around the 1kg weight of our C720s, with
> SSDs but also  Home/End PgUp/PgDn keys.
> 
> Thanks in advance
> 
> Dave
> 
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