[Discuss] Linux on laptops

Robert Krawitz rlk at alum.mit.edu
Thu Nov 12 12:19:12 EST 2015


On Thu, 12 Nov 2015 12:11:31 -0500, Steve Litt wrote:
> On Thu, 12 Nov 2015 09:21:38 -0500
> Robert Krawitz <rlk at alum.mit.edu> wrote:
>
>> On Thu, 12 Nov 2015 09:18:51 -0500, Kent Borg wrote:
>> > On 11/12/2015 09:17 AM, Robert Krawitz wrote:
>> >> Another option is to buy a used laptop on eBay. 
>> >
>> > Isn't buying a used laptop a bit like buying a used sports car? Each
>> > might have had a rough time in its earlier life?
>> 
>> Perhaps, but you can get a lot more (except processor speed) for your
>> money.  I've bought five that way since 2000, and only had reliability
>> problems with one.
>
> U sure? I can go to Costco right now and bag a multicore modern
> processor with 4GB of RAM and well over 500GB of RAM for $400. How much
> less do you have to spend for a working used computer?

I can get a Dell Precision M6500 with a first gen quad core i7, 8 GB
(and expandability to 32 GB), a 1920x1200 screen, and 2 SATA bays, an
mSATA slot, and an optical drive that could be replaced by a
third/fourth SATA drive, for around $400.  Big and heavy, but built
like a tank, and it's easy to service.  It's on about 23 hours/day and
never gives me any grief.

I haven't looked at pricing for low end used laptops, though.
-- 
Robert Krawitz                                     <rlk at alum.mit.edu>

***  MIT Engineers   A Proud Tradition   http://mitathletics.com  ***
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--Eric Crampton



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