I'm looking for a budget-friendly device—like a mini PC, Chromebook, or laptop—to learn Linux on. I want to keep costs down, so I'm not interested in upgrading my current desktop. Is there a specific used machine that everyone swears by for running Linux smoothly? My main goals are getting comfortable with command line interfaces, SSH, casual browsing, and some streaming. I was hoping to spend around $100 CAD, but let me know if that's unrealistic! Thanks for any tips!
3 Answers
I got a refurbished Acer Chromebook C933 for under $70 USD, and it works great for running Linux. I had one small issue with the touchscreen, which I disabled, but overall it’s been smooth sailing with Fedora Workstation. While it might not be the top pick like a ThinkPad, it's reliable and perfect for learning!
If you're open to running Linux in a virtual machine (VM) on your current hardware, that might be a way to go without needing to buy a new machine right away. It can help you learn before making any investment into a new device!
Check out these top recommendations for affordable used machines running Linux:
1. ThinkPad T-Series (like the T450 or T460) - often seen as the "Linux starter king". You can grab one for around $80–120 CAD.
2. Dell Latitude models (E5450, 5480, or 5490) - similarly priced.
3. HP EliteBook (840 G2 or G3) is also a solid option.
4. Consider Mini PCs like Dell OptiPlex Micro or Lenovo Tiny. They’re budget-friendly and run Linux well!
I have an OptiPlex 7070, and it’s priced between 120-180 CAD here in the UK depending on RAM and storage. Definitely worth a look!