a used thinkpad is a solid bet
this post was submitted on 30 May 2024
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Asklemmy
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Yeah. They're like the Toyotas of the PC world. Reliable, capable, everywhere, and just keep getting the job done well after most others gave in. Certainly more modular for upgrades too.
Probably best option here. I worked at a computer repair shop and the prices for used hardware is astounding. Even for something new-ish, mint condition and good specs usually lands around 200-400$.
Get yourself the Lenovo. They are good.
Yeah honestly for casual use cases as this it doesn't matter that much. Just get a Lenovo of around 500 or 600 bucks and you're golden.
My recommendation for that price range is to buy a used business-class laptop. Emphasis on the business-class. These are the Dell Latitudes and the HP ProBooks. Try to find something less-than five years old (businesses tend to phase out older laptops in the three or four year mark). Buy from a reputable re-seller that offers support in case you get a lemon.
It won't be the fastest or sexiest laptop out there. But it will be long lasting and reliable.
Business class laptops are a different class from typical consumer laptops. I work repair and I see cheap crappy dells and hps come in all the time. They are built like wet newspaper, they'll creak and flex just by looking at them.
I use an HP 8770w and it's built like a tank. It's been used by my mom and then handed down to me, then I upgraded the snot out of it and still use it. It's been constantly used for 10 years straight.
Used macbook air
This was my initial idea but not sure how reliable they are, especially since Iโm looking at the older models from 2015-2017.
As a repair tech, the MacBook airs within 7 or so years are nightmares to repair and aren't upgradable. I'd personally avoid them because of the headache I've had maintaining them.
Also as an experience as a repair tech, we don't see these often, we rarely see them break. Dells and hps on the other hand, we get one of each nearly every day
So you would suggest an older model then?
They become more repairable, but they are also more obsolete. Used MacBooks are also a lot more expensive compared to other laptops
I would go for an M1 Air or Pro from 2020 or later, and definitely get 16gb of ram. Do not not worry about internal storage as there are always numerous cloud storage options if really necessary. Facebook marketplace is a good source, or OfferUp. Apple stuff is the most reliable out there, software and hardware. They are built like tanks, and almost never actually suffer 'blue screen of death' software issues or anything like that. Plus no viruses. I have a Macbook with me in the room from like 2008; it powers up and works like a charm. I also feel Apple is one of the better options privacy wise.
'Apple is one of the better option privacy wise'
Great battery life and linux unfortunately are a hard task and linux support is often spotty for consumer devices.
Sticking to used business hardware is usually a good start, but you should check for compability issues nonetheless.
Any Thinkpad. Great compatibilitt with Linux, easily fixable, ergonomic and last long
My Asus zenbook, purchased in 2015, is still going strong. They're pretty affordable and at least from my experience have held up well. I'm pretty sure you can run Linux on them too.