Cheap netbook
If i were after a laptop, my question would be answerable in one word: 'Thinkpad'
But what i'm looking for my client is a small netbook with say a 10 inch screen that is light and as powerful as possible that can be picked up cheaply as a used item. I used to be pretty happy with Sony Vaio netbooks with Atom processors, even ones with 1GB of RAM. But i don't think even double that is realistic these days, web pages being as bloated as they are. This would be for general use, with a Debian Linux ( probably Mate) desktop. I'd probably be using ebay.co.uk but am willing to look at new options as well as used. Any good recommendations?
But what i'm looking for my client is a small netbook with say a 10 inch screen that is light and as powerful as possible that can be picked up cheaply as a used item. I used to be pretty happy with Sony Vaio netbooks with Atom processors, even ones with 1GB of RAM. But i don't think even double that is realistic these days, web pages being as bloated as they are. This would be for general use, with a Debian Linux ( probably Mate) desktop. I'd probably be using ebay.co.uk but am willing to look at new options as well as used. Any good recommendations?
You.can probably pick up a.cheap Dell Venue Pro 11 Core i5 for.a good price - with keyboard, these should be around $200 to $300.
Here is a Venue Pro 11 for less than $300.00
https://m.ebay.com/itm/Dell-Venue-11-Pro-7130MS-10-Intel-i5-4GB-RAM-128GB-SSD-Win10-Tablet-Keyboard/332464917993?hash=item4d68740de9:g:CoIAAOSwSeVaPAzM
https://m.ebay.com/itm/Dell-Venue-11-Pro-7130MS-10-Intel-i5-4GB-RAM-128GB-SSD-Win10-Tablet-Keyboard/332464917993?hash=item4d68740de9:g:CoIAAOSwSeVaPAzM
ASKER
Thanks. Would you say the build quality is OK on those?
Hi,
I have owned one for 4 years since it was launched and it's still in excellent condition with no faults.
I have owned one for 4 years since it was launched and it's still in excellent condition with no faults.
is a chromebook out of the question? https://www.newegg.ca/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=chromebook&ignorear=0&N=-1&isNodeId=1
ASKER
It is really. The reasons:
a. too big
b. bootloader won't boot Linux afaik. You can get it running 'virtually' though
a. too big
b. bootloader won't boot Linux afaik. You can get it running 'virtually' though
If you're interested in going even smaller, I like my 7" GPD pocket. It performs well and can run Linux.
A couple of years ago I tried pretty hard to find a good 10" but couldn't find a performant one so I ended up getting a Surface Pro which is 12". You can get an older refurb Surface Pro for cheap that will be high-performance and run Linux better (since it's older) but the downside would be the battery life.
Something to keep in mind is that if you get a thin bezel lightweight <= 13" it will seem like a 10" fat bezel laptop.
If you only need Linux and not Windows then you could get an older macbook air (circa 2015?)
A couple of years ago I tried pretty hard to find a good 10" but couldn't find a performant one so I ended up getting a Surface Pro which is 12". You can get an older refurb Surface Pro for cheap that will be high-performance and run Linux better (since it's older) but the downside would be the battery life.
Something to keep in mind is that if you get a thin bezel lightweight <= 13" it will seem like a 10" fat bezel laptop.
If you only need Linux and not Windows then you could get an older macbook air (circa 2015?)
ASKER
This is for travelling so surface area is a factor as well as weight.
Actually i've just seen a Thinkpad X and the size of that was not too bad. Still a bit too big though
I'll take a look at the Pocket for other use cases
Actually i've just seen a Thinkpad X and the size of that was not too bad. Still a bit too big though
I'll take a look at the Pocket for other use cases
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Perhaps consider an older i3 device with a 12" display as an alternative?