Hi everyone! I need some help finding a laptop for my 14-year-old son for high school. I want something that balances usability, durability, and flexibility since we're not sure if he'll go into computer science, graphic design, or something else. Here's what I'm considering:
1. **Hardware**: I'd appreciate any insights on CPU, RAM, storage (HDD vs. SSD), and screen resolution that might suit his needs.
2. **Operating System**: I've mostly used Windows for years, but I now have a MacBook Air that I find okay, though I prefer Excel on Windows. I'm wary of bloatware from Chromebooks and am exploring Linux, but I'm not quite sure what would work best for a high schooler.
His work will include documents, presentations, spreadsheets, and possibly technical writing with mathematical formulas. He also enjoys drawing and might need some basic art or editing software. I want him to be tech-savvy and learn about how computers work, not just use apps without understanding tech fundamentals.
Thanks for any guidance you can offer!
3 Answers
There are quite a few solid options! If gaming isn't a priority, refurbished Macs run Linux pretty well after some tweaks. I personally use a 2012 MacBook Pro with Manjaro Linux and love it. ThinkPads are also a good choice—you just can't go wrong there. If you want something a bit different, Dell workstations are great too!
For an OS, Ubuntu is super user-friendly for newbies. Linux Mint gives a nice Windows 7-like vibe, while Manjaro and Elementary OS feel more like a Mac. It really depends on what you're comfortable with!
I was wondering about the Macs too! Do they offer any special benefits for running Linux compared to other Intel-based refurbished computers?
I recently got a Lenovo Thinkpad X390. It's a 2-in-1 and while it's a bit older, it has an 8th Gen Intel processor with 8GB of RAM and an NVME drive, and it runs really smoothly! Before that, my son used my older Yoga S1, but I wouldn't recommend going too old.
Thanks for the recommendation! I'll look into the Thinkpad models, especially for flexibility.
When it comes to Linux, the distro doesn't limit what you can do; it's all about the software you choose. So whether it's gaming or graphic design, almost any distro can handle it if you have the right programs. For hardware, you don't need the latest and greatest either; Linux is quite light, so a modest setup works well. Just keep in mind things like 3D modeling might require more power!
Plus, I recommend staying away from Nvidia GPUs as they're tricky on Linux.
Thanks for explaining that! It's definitely helpful to know that the distro isn't the main concern. I'll keep an eye on those GPUs.
Good question! I'm also curious about the Mac compatibility with Linux, especially with the newer M chips.