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Forum Index : Microcontroller and PC projects : Time for something quite satisfying....
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Grogster Admin Group  Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 10043 |
I bought a new low-end laptop today(brand new) for a client, who already uses Linux Mint on their main machine. LINK... This machine is a lower-end notebook, with an Intel N-series quad-core CPU at up to 3.4GHz and 6MB cache, 8GB of LPDDR5 embedded RAM(soldered to MB), 128GB NVMe SSD, WiFi etc, Intel UHD graphics........and Windoze 11 Pro Education version. As soon as I unpack it, the very first thing I will be doing, is TOTALLY WIPING the factory W11 install, and putting LMDE7 on it at the client's request. They already have a desktop Linux Mint machine that I setup for them, and they like it so much, they now want a portable laptop with Linux Mint on it. You gotta love this - if even just a little bit.  So many of us now HATE what Windoze 11 has become and what it represents, I have to admit to perhaps having a bit of schadenfreude about buying a brand-new notebook computer with W11 preinstalled.......that will get WIPED as the very first step after unpacking it.  Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops! |
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Martin H. Guru  Joined: 04/06/2022 Location: GermanyPosts: 1552 |
The problem is that you end up paying for Windows even if you don't need it. Before the semiconductor shortage, I bought an N100 mini PC with a 512 GB SSD and 16 GB of RAM for about 170€ (339,27 NZ$)to use as a media computer. I replaced the preinstalled Windows 11 right away; now it runs KOdi and Batocera. 'no comment |
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Mixtel90 Guru Joined: 05/10/2019 Location: United KingdomPosts: 9136 |
I don't object to that too much. At least it's a "get you going" OS to let you test the hardware with. The alternative would probably be no OS as not everyone can agree on the same Linux either. :) At least you aren't paying the retail price for that copy of Windows. Mick Zilog Inside! nascom.info for Nascom & Gemini |
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| circuit Guru Joined: 10/01/2016 Location: United KingdomPosts: 309 |
Yes, I could see that we had a "bargain window" in early 2025 and I bought three minicomputers, each with N97 processor, 16GB DDR5 and 512GB drives; at £159 each! They each have three HDMI ports, driving 4K monitors on each port. I also bought several WD Blue 1TB NVME drives - PCIE Gen 4.0 - at £51 each; now listed at £153.99! All items were from Amazon UK. I expected prices to rise, but the rises are quite shocking. I am quite taken aback at the performance of the N97 processor and its capabilities. Not exactly for AI or gaming, but for routine stuff, quite amazing. I am writing this on an Asus Zenbook with an I7 processor, some generations old. but still very functional. The N97 benchmarks way higher, to my complete surprise. I never anticipated having a £159 computer running three 4K screens on my desk - which is what I now have. Sadly, the days of such bargains are way behind us now. Edited 2026-09-14 20:02 by circuit |
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| Grogster Admin Group Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 10043 |
I hear what you are saying about W11 being there so that there is SOMETHING in terms of OS on the machine to get you up and running - I agree with that comment and I know what you mean. I just mean I will be taking personal satisfaction in wiping it for Linux!    ....as the first step on a brand new computer.  Edited 2026-09-15 10:06 by Grogster Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops! |
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| Grogster Admin Group Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 10043 |
.....and......that WAS rather satisfying! Runs LMDE7 beautifully, and only took about 10 minutes to install the entire system, not including the updates. To be fair to Windoze, including the LMDE7 updates, still took only about 30 minutes for the full OS, AND all the updates. Full install of W11 in 30 minutes including updates? Not a chance in Hell. I find myself thinking about buying another one of these netbooks for myself. Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops! |
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Volhout Guru Joined: 05/03/2018 Location: NetherlandsPosts: 6118 |
This is a modern version of a 'Netbook". Something quite extinct now. And the early Chromebooks where similar (i.e. Acer 720). 10"-11" display. These all ran Linux perfectly. Used them of years. One of these was used a ssh terminal and was THE ONLY COMPUTER THAT WOULD NOT CRASH when performing electrical surge tests on military grade products.... a netbook.... yeah... All the Lenovo and HP laptops...restarting at every few surges. Even when running on batteries. This old netbook survived all. Lubuntu ran on it. Volhout Edited 2026-09-17 19:24 by Volhout PicomiteVGA PETSCII ROBOTS |
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