[ale] Good Linux Laptop from Lenovo?

[David A. De Graaf]

On 12/6/20 12:44 PM, Bob Toxen via Ale wrote:
> I'm looking for advice on purchasing a new Laptop to install and run
> Linux, almost certainly CentOS but maybe Slackware.  I'l occasionally
> do some C programming.  This would be for when I travel so it should
> have a Linux-usable WiFi module.
>
> My main use is browsing, text email, and watching DVDs.  (I realize that
> I'll have to buy an external USB DVD burner.)
>
>
> I've always had good luck with Lenovo laptops and have a strong preference
> for them.  I have a preference for NVIDIA as more compatible graphics and
> might some day try to install the Silicon Graphics graphics software.
> I'll add an external trackball.  (My genuine IBM 2001 laptop still
> runs too.)
>
>
> I'm leaning towards mail ordering the following from Microcenter as I'm
> now living in the Provinces here in Fort Lauderdale:
>
>    Lenovo IdeaPad 3 17IML 17.3" Laptop Computer - Grey Intel Core i5-10210U Processor 1.6GHz;
>    NVIDIA GeForce MX330 2GB GDDR5; 8GB DDR4-2666 RAM; 512GB Solid State Drive
>    $699
>
> I'm not thrilled with the small amount of RAM; perhaps I should research large RAM sticks.
>
>
> I welcome any advice.  Any advice on how hard to break it's stupid
> security to boot from a CentOS install DVD is welcome; of course I can
> figure it out and have.
>
> I have no interest in HP or Dell having had poor experiences with them.
>
> All help welcome with thanks!

My son has just purchased this very model for his daughter for 
Christmas.  His comments:

I recommend this Lenovo IdeaPad 5 very highly should anyone need one at 
Xmas.

Fast, light, thin, quiet, sturdy-feeling, long battery life (>6 hours), 
webcam shutter, great virtualization, good speakers.

Intel Core i5 (quad-core), 16GB RAM, 512GB NVME-SSD.

The price is even lower than when I bought Steffi's - now $669

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1543438-REG/lenovo_81yk004bus_15_6_ideapad_5_14.html/qa 


THERE ARE CHEAPER VERSIONS WITH LESS MEMORY WHICH YOU DON"T WANT.

So what are the shortcomings?

Sealed. Apparently neither memory nor SSD can be upgraded. They may be 
soldered in. No ethernet; wireless only.


He has installed Fedora 33 alongside the original Windows 10, configured 
for alternate booting.
It is very fast.  Most importantly, virtualization is NOT crippled and 
VirtualBox runs Windows 10 inside Fedora just as fast as natively.  The 
keyboard is nicely lighted.

The memory IS soldered in, so cannot be upgraded.
Users are warned that only certified technicians can change the SSD to 
something larger.  We have observed nine screws hold the case together 
but have not attempted to open it.  Conceivably, it is also glued - we 
don't know.

>
> Bob Toxen
> bob at verysecurelinux.com               [Please use for email to me]
> http://www.verysecurelinux.com        [Network&Linux security consulting]
> http://www.realworldlinuxsecurity.com [My book:"Real World Linux Security 2/e"]
>
> "One disk to rule them all, One disk to find them. One disk to bring
> them all and in the darkness grind them. In the Land of Redmond where
> the shadows lie...and the Eye is everwatching"
> -- The Silicon Valley Tarot Henrique Holschuh with ... BobT's enhancement
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-- 
	David A. De Graaf    DATIX, Inc.    Hendersonville, NC
	dad at datix.us         www.datix.us