Torn between getting a used thinkpad vs a new Chromebook reddit / BSD ---------------------------------------------------------------------- kyleW_ne · 2021-11-16 08:31 I really like secure operating systems and am a huge fan of OpenBSD and have run it on the desktop but never a laptop. Currently I dual boot Linux and ChromeOS on an old chromebook with only 4GB of RAM and a dual core processor. I really want to eat my own dog food and buy a 15.6 inch used thinkpad and install OpenBSD on it, BUT used thinkpads are expensive where I'm at. My second option is to buy a Jasper Lake based Chromebook and keep doing what I am doing. My question is a Kaby Lake core series processor and integrated graphics going to be faster than a 2021 Jasper Lake Chromebook. The model I have in question has support till 2029 (chromebook) but OpenBSD on AMD64 would pretty much be supported next to forever on a used thinkpad, plus thinkpads have upgradable memory and user serviceable SSDs and hardware. What would you do in my case? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- jjanel · 2021-11-16 09:26 How about a 5-9yo Dell, 4G and add another 4G ram? PC much more flexible! Under $100 in USA ---------------------------------------------------------------------- lowenware · 2021-11-16 10:10 I’ve been using t440s for a while and it was the best PC I ever had. Unfortunatelly successors of T serie have worse quality. If you consider ThinkPad I would recommend X1 serie, but they are expensive. I have never used ChromeBooks, so can’t say. As an alternative I can recommend System76 and TuxedoComputers (depends on your location, they resell the same OEM brand). They have good chassis and full Linux support of the HW. Using Tuxedo as my main now. Update: as my next PC I would also consider tuxedo ---------------------------------------------------------------------- kyleW_ne · 2021-11-16 10:38 I found this guide: https://www.bobble.tech/free-stuff/used-thinkpad- buyers-guide and really like any of the T5xx series Thinkpads, it is just finding them in stock has been real hard. In university I really liked the other students thinkpads, the keyboard was a joy and the trackpoint with the buttons above the trackpad made me envious to get one. I'll look into system76 and Tuxedo! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- kyleW_ne · 2021-11-16 10:40 Cool! Thanks for the tip! I had not considered Dell. We use Dell servers at work and I am not impressed by their quality. Constantly RMAing servers. Are their laptops any better? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Midar3 · 2021-11-16 16:34 Thinkpad. If you want good BSD support, get a Thinkpad. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- VENTDEV · 2021-11-16 18:17 Consider Pinebook Pro over a Chromebook. It has OpenBSD (FreeBSD, NetBSD) support, ARM, good battery life, decent performance, and is pretty cheap (although price has gone up because of COVID). Only knock is wifi support on the BSDs. As far as I know, none of them are stable, so you will need a dongle. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- SomeIdiotOnEarth · 2021-11-16 19:40 Not the best but decent laptops in my opinion. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- motific · 2021-11-16 21:53 The only place for a chromebook is the recycling centre. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- [deleted] · 2021-11-17 05:26 I would only suggest, if you buy an old thinkpad or any other business class machine, just do not choose the most powerful core in generation unless you leave around some seriously low temp weather. Yes, older machines more modular and easy to repair, but newer gen cores heat less and less. Also probably unique fetish, but I like to have optical disk in my old t430 (mostly because it's a htpc now..). PS: for personal use, I would always go with old tech, on a 3+ years old product you know what you facing with. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- kyleW_ne · 2021-11-17 06:18 Thank you! Thats a good point I don't want to burn my legs. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- GreenSage13 · 2021-11-17 07:28 Fk the chromebook lol. Get the thinkpad and put a linux (or your OpenBSD) on it. Thinkpads are notorious for that craptastic IBM onboard graphics but it is what it is. Don't get the chromebook unless it's the very last option and they are threatening your life. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- kyleW_ne · 2021-11-17 12:24 Why do you say that? My first laptop was an atom powered netbook 32bit, it sucked. My second laptop was an Acer Chromebook 15. Other than having 4gb of fixed ram it has served me well. Put it into devoloper mode and run Linux inside crouton. I've never owned a powerful laptop before. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- kyleW_ne · 2021-11-17 12:24 That's what I'm thinking too! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- kmos-ports · 2021-11-18 16:34 While I've now got a Thinkpad T490 as my daily driver, I was using HP Probooks for years before that. Generally, not a light laptop (you'll need the elitebook line for that) but they (and are still) solid. (I have a 6470b and 6460b)