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Linux Laptop

As an small weekend projects and to prepare for future discussions on innovative topics, I found that I need to buy a Linux device. I found a Linux laptop.

I had an idea for a Linux-based Laptop for following topics:

  • Windows 11 needed for Windows activities (Visual Studio development) and I need it for firmware updates for my Docking station from Dell
  • Linux installation and usage to get experiences for Linux on Laptops and more
  • Like to had a look on UI processing or Steam to check how it works
  • Compare Linux on Laptop experiences in comparison to former days where Linux was only a separate Unix operating system
  • Like to have an cheap Laptop to take it to vacations or travel. It might be a refurbished old Laptop like a good Thinkpad Linux Laptop

Buy Enterprise Model / Why not refurbished

I'd like to use the Laptop only for small experiences with Linux. I don't like to invest a lot of money. It makes sense to use a refurbished Laptop which will not be big. Im my student time I had a IBM Thinkpad which was not cheap but it took longer until it was outdated. And the Laptop was not looking bad when I finally bought a new one that time. The main topic is the support of Linux on Thinpad Laptops. Linux runs very well on the Laptops and the corresponding community seems still to be available. The chase is similar stable like the one of Macbooks.

After some evaluation in the net I found out that the Lenovo Thinkpad T14x might be the one. But I found out really quick, that I don't like to touch my monitor. The more important was the possibilities to enhance hardware. So I found the Lenovo Thinkpad T14 which can be updated really good. The memory and the SSD can be enhanced. I can buy a small T14 with 8GB memory and 256GB SSD only and can enhance it with a small amount of money. I decided to take the AMD CPU with a good graphic card inside. I had good experiences with AMD.

On ebay I found an refurbished Laptop version for 269,- € with 8GB and 512SSD. I bought a 32GB DDR3 memory and a 1TB SSD. It was not looking brand new but it even not looking scrappy. Both are upgrade in the Laptop very quickly. After that I installed Windows...

Windows 11 to get rid

Only because it was already on the Laptop, I installed Windows 11. I need to say, it is 100% Malware. At least 3 times I was ask for a subscription fee (Office 365, Game pass ....) and several number of question were done if I would like to send data. Here in Germany it is not that open to send your own data into the world. We are more like Sandra Bullock in "The Net". This form of bad installation of an basic operating systems is a new dimension.

This is not serious and shows, the sense of privacy protection Microsoft has and Windows includes.

Unfortunately the Dell Docking station update fails. The installation gone thru without problem but the hardware firmware was not updated. I still have connection problems so that I need to reconnect USB-C several times until the Docking station is noticed and the network works. Linux, without questions for subscription and data send, works well on the Lenovo Thinkpad.

How install Linux

I found a lot of information how to install Dual boot on an Laptop. After the experiences with Windows 11 I decided to get rid of Windows. I installed Linux only on the new SSD. In case of problems I may get back to the old origin SSD with Windows 11.

I worked on Linux on work already so I don't miss Windows at all. I still don't need Office 365 or similar programs. It may be that you have other needs.

I used Etcher to write Linux installation ISO images to an USB-Stick. I tried two versions of Linux distributions, Mint and EndevourOS. First Mint makes a good impression but I'm to near on Linux and a developer. Here EndevourOS fits better. It contains newer packages and fits to my Linux evaluation mode better. Except that for EndevourOS I need to disable Secure Boot, both installation work as expected. You need to enable the boot device in Lenovo BIOS but the installation ISO images start as expected. Linux drives are encrypted and the LVM usage provides better dynamic. Everything like I need it.

Specification

Model/components costs
Lenovo Thinkpad T14 Gen 1
8GB Memory and 512GB SSD		 269,- €
Crucial RAM CT32G4SFD832A 32GB DDR4 3200MHz CL22 (2933MHz oder 2666MHz) 54,90 €
Crucial P3 Plus SSD 1TB M.2 PCIe Gen4 NVMe Interne SSD 63,49 €
Sum 387,39 €

The final Laptop configuration is a AMD Ryzen 5 Pro 4650U-based Lenovo Thinkpad Laptop. The Laptop has 40GB Memory and a 1TB SSD Festplatte. On the Laptop runs a Linux EndevourOS without problems with fingerprinter and encrypted hard drive.