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

[Darren Menachem Drapkin]

I have an upgraded ThinkPad from a company that specializes in 
ore-installed GNU/Linux hardware. There are several of these companies. 
Some companies will install open source firmware. Sorry I can not 
remember any company names.

On 12/23/2015 10:01 PM, John Robert Hudson wrote:
> 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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-- 
--
Darren Menachem Drapkin