Hello all,

I’m in the market for buying a new laptop to install Linux on. I’m trying to stay with something relatively cheap (Around $300 and below). I’m getting ready to start a degree program in cyber security and did some research, and it seems Kali Linux would be the best distro for me to install.

I would install it on my current computer, but I only have a 2015 MacBook Pro, and I’ve read that a few people run into some issues installing on a Mac compared to a regular PC.

With the above in mind, do I need to increase my budget or does Linux run fine on low-end laptops?

Thanks!

  • BigTrout75@lemmy.worldEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    I have a cheap Acer laptop with AMD and it works great. I’m dual booting with Windows. I do remember having to struggle with the install though. I had to turn off secure boot and can’t remember what else. Good luck.

    • boonhet@lemm.eeEnglish
      1·
      1 year ago

      In my experience, Acer build quality has been shoddy. There’s a reason everyone recommends used Thinkpads. They have great build quality so you can get more years out of a used one than a new cheap consumer laptop.

      • BigTrout75@lemmy.worldEnglish
        1·
        1 year ago

        Acer is not business grade for sure. But other than the dumb power cable I’ve been happy. The power cable looks like it was designed to break, lol. I put electrical tape on it to prevent it from destroying itself. With cheap laptops they do some silly things like, crappy outdated screens with low resolution or super low brightness. Soldered ram with no is little upgrade. No usb-c charging or display.

        Good luck

        • boonhet@lemm.eeEnglish
          1·
          1 year ago

          The power cable looks like it was designed to break

          It probably was lol

          Any time I opened up an Acer, the main thought in my head was “whyyyyy do they make them like this”. The same also applies for other non-business laptops, even from the companies that make business laptops themselves. HP Elitebook 840 G2? Yes please, give me 10. HP Pavilion whatever,itdoesntmatterwhichone? I’m sure I can find gasoline and a lighter.

          At the end of the day, you get slightly better specs out of the new non-business laptop for the same money, but the used business class one is going to last you way longer. And it might be cheaper. If you only want a laptop for 3 years, a brand new Acer will probably be great for you. If you want a laptop for 5 or more years, get a 5 year old Thinkpad.