Hey everyone! I'm on the lookout for a reliable yet affordable laptop to install and learn Linux alongside my current Windows setup. I'm also diving into networking and considering a career in cybersecurity or network engineering, so it would be great to have a laptop that can handle multiple virtual machines. I'm currently in Europe and found a Black Friday deal for a Lenovo Ideapad SLIM 3 (15AMN8) with the following specs: AMD Ryzen 5, 512 GB SSD, and 16 GB RAM for 450 EUR. I've also considered a refurbished ThinkPad T14, but they seem to have similar pricing and don't feature the keyboard layout I prefer. I thought the Ideapad might be a better choice since it's new and matches my layout. Here are some of its specs: 15.6 inch Full HD IPS display, Quad-Core Ryzen 5 at 2.8 GHz (boosts to 4.3 GHz), AMD Radeon 610M. Any thoughts on this laptop or suggestions for alternatives? Thanks in advance!
4 Answers
I've heard mixed things about the Ideapad. It's more of a consumer model, which might not excel in durability and Linux compatibility like ThinkPads do. I'm still using my T430 and it runs Mint beautifully. If you're serious about VMs and learning, the ThinkPad is likely a better bet.
If you're looking for a solid Linux experience, I'd recommend going for a ThinkPad. I got my T480s on eBay for around $200, and it's been great for school. ThinkPads generally have excellent Linux compatibility and are really durable. I'd say stick with one of those if you can find it at a decent price, especially in Europe where they can get a bit pricey.
A bit different, but I'm using an old MacBook Air with EndeavourOS and it's been pretty smooth! If you find an affordable used one, it could work well for you too.
I have a mid-2011 MacBook Air running Linux Mint, and it works flawlessly! Just a thought if you're open to alternatives.
Honestly, I've been snagging cheap laptops from people tossing them out. Most can easily run Mint Cinnamon, even the really old ones with just 4GB RAM. You might want to check out local listings for similar deals.
Yeah, I agree! Just be cautious because T480s can be costly in Europe. The ThinkPad T480 with an i5 and 16 GB is around $400, which is a bit steep.