Hey everyone! I'm looking to dive into learning Linux without messing up my primary machine, which is an M1 Macbook Air. I'm tired of tech limitations and want a low-cost notebook (under 100 euros) to experiment with—ideally something that can run Pop OS or Mint. I don't do any gaming or video editing, just want to browse, watch YouTube, take notes, and maybe try some coding. What specs should I be looking out for? Is 64-bit and at least 4GB of RAM essential? Should I steer clear of Chromebooks? Also, I have a spare 1TB SSD, so storage isn't a huge concern. Thanks and happy Easter!
2 Answers
Chromebooks are a solid option! They're lightweight and pretty secure. Plus, they have a built-in Linux app feature that lets you run some applications and commands easily. It might be a good start if you're looking into using Linux later on. Don’t sleep on them!
If your goal is mainly to learn and try things out, using a virtual machine might actually be an easier route for you on your Mac. That way, if something breaks, you can just delete the VM and start fresh. A lot of popular distros are beginner-friendly and should work just fine.
But won't a virtual machine on the M1 chip just be using the same hardware? That's my concern—looking for a way to learn without the risk of messing things up.
Okay, so Chromebooks can be good? What about RAM—will 4GB be adequate, or should I aim for more? Also, are there specific processors that I should avoid because they’re too slow?