<div dir="ltr"><div>Ah, but an Ethernet/USB dongle exists. I have one and it works well.</div><div><br></div><div>Sean<br></div></div><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Sun, Dec 6, 2020 at 1:17 PM David A. De Graaf via Ale <<a href="mailto:ale@ale.org">ale@ale.org</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex">On 12/6/20 12:44 PM, Bob Toxen via Ale wrote:<br>
> I'm looking for advice on purchasing a new Laptop to install and run<br>
> Linux, almost certainly CentOS but maybe Slackware. I'l occasionally<br>
> do some C programming. This would be for when I travel so it should<br>
> have a Linux-usable WiFi module.<br>
><br>
> My main use is browsing, text email, and watching DVDs. (I realize that<br>
> I'll have to buy an external USB DVD burner.)<br>
><br>
><br>
> I've always had good luck with Lenovo laptops and have a strong preference<br>
> for them. I have a preference for NVIDIA as more compatible graphics and<br>
> might some day try to install the Silicon Graphics graphics software.<br>
> I'll add an external trackball. (My genuine IBM 2001 laptop still<br>
> runs too.)<br>
><br>
><br>
> I'm leaning towards mail ordering the following from Microcenter as I'm<br>
> now living in the Provinces here in Fort Lauderdale:<br>
><br>
> Lenovo IdeaPad 3 17IML 17.3" Laptop Computer - Grey Intel Core i5-10210U Processor 1.6GHz;<br>
> NVIDIA GeForce MX330 2GB GDDR5; 8GB DDR4-2666 RAM; 512GB Solid State Drive<br>
> $699<br>
><br>
> I'm not thrilled with the small amount of RAM; perhaps I should research large RAM sticks.<br>
><br>
><br>
> I welcome any advice. Any advice on how hard to break it's stupid<br>
> security to boot from a CentOS install DVD is welcome; of course I can<br>
> figure it out and have.<br>
><br>
> I have no interest in HP or Dell having had poor experiences with them.<br>
><br>
> All help welcome with thanks!<br>
<br>
My son has just purchased this very model for his daughter for <br>
Christmas. His comments:<br>
<br>
I recommend this Lenovo IdeaPad 5 very highly should anyone need one at <br>
Xmas.<br>
<br>
Fast, light, thin, quiet, sturdy-feeling, long battery life (>6 hours), <br>
webcam shutter, great virtualization, good speakers.<br>
<br>
Intel Core i5 (quad-core), 16GB RAM, 512GB NVME-SSD.<br>
<br>
The price is even lower than when I bought Steffi's - now $669<br>
<br>
<a href="https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1543438-REG/lenovo_81yk004bus_15_6_ideapad_5_14.html/qa" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1543438-REG/lenovo_81yk004bus_15_6_ideapad_5_14.html/qa</a> <br>
<br>
<br>
THERE ARE CHEAPER VERSIONS WITH LESS MEMORY WHICH YOU DON"T WANT.<br>
<br>
So what are the shortcomings?<br>
<br>
Sealed. Apparently neither memory nor SSD can be upgraded. They may be <br>
soldered in. No ethernet; wireless only.<br>
<br>
<br>
He has installed Fedora 33 alongside the original Windows 10, configured <br>
for alternate booting.<br>
It is very fast. Most importantly, virtualization is NOT crippled and <br>
VirtualBox runs Windows 10 inside Fedora just as fast as natively. The <br>
keyboard is nicely lighted.<br>
<br>
The memory IS soldered in, so cannot be upgraded.<br>
Users are warned that only certified technicians can change the SSD to <br>
something larger. We have observed nine screws hold the case together <br>
but have not attempted to open it. Conceivably, it is also glued - we <br>
don't know.<br>
<br>
><br>
> Bob Toxen<br>
> <a href="mailto:bob@verysecurelinux.com" target="_blank">bob@verysecurelinux.com</a> [Please use for email to me]<br>
> <a href="http://www.verysecurelinux.com" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">http://www.verysecurelinux.com</a> [Network&Linux security consulting]<br>
> <a href="http://www.realworldlinuxsecurity.com" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">http://www.realworldlinuxsecurity.com</a> [My book:"Real World Linux Security 2/e"]<br>
><br>
> "One disk to rule them all, One disk to find them. One disk to bring<br>
> them all and in the darkness grind them. In the Land of Redmond where<br>
> the shadows lie...and the Eye is everwatching"<br>
> -- The Silicon Valley Tarot Henrique Holschuh with ... BobT's enhancement<br>
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<br>
<br>
-- <br>
David A. De Graaf DATIX, Inc. Hendersonville, NC<br>
<a href="mailto:dad@datix.us" target="_blank">dad@datix.us</a> <a href="http://www.datix.us" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">www.datix.us</a><br>
<br>
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</blockquote></div>