Cheap hardware options to host Ubuntu

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Chaitanya

42 posts

Geek

Topic # 111621 9-Nov-2012 12:32
I am wondering what options do I have if I want to buy a cheap laptop to put Ubuntu in it. Or rather is it easy to get the hard disk in my archaic laptop repaired? Any and all thoughts and suggestions are welcome. Thank you.

sidefx

1147 posts

Uber Geek

Reply # 714610 9-Nov-2012 12:45
What laptop is it? Laptop hard drives are generally very easy to replace if you can find a replacement. Ubuntu will run reasonably well on pretty much anything.

Chaitanya

42 posts

Geek

Reply # 714615 9-Nov-2012 12:50
sidefx: What laptop is it? Laptop hard drives are generally very easy to replace if you can find a replacement. Ubuntu will run reasonably well on pretty much anything. Mine is a 6 year old Lenovo 3000 N 100, very aged one. Its HDD failed recently possibly because it is old and my bub banged it many times! Before I get a replacement machine in couple of months, I wanna try and see if I can bring it back to life and use it with Ubuntu hopefully off existing HDD.

alexx

407 posts

Ultimate Geek

Reply # 714616 9-Nov-2012 12:52
How old is that archaic laptop? It depends on what you want to do with it... I hope you were planning to run a lightweight desktop like XFCE or LXDE. RAM is likely to be the limitation. But assuming that's o.k. then replacement hard disk sounds like the best option. #include <standard.disclaimer>

alexx

407 posts

Ultimate Geek

Reply # 714622 9-Nov-2012 12:57
Didn't see that you have already replied. If you are looking to run Linux on an IBM/Lenovo laptop, then this site can be quite useful. http://www.thinkwiki.org/ #include <standard.disclaimer>

sidefx

1147 posts

Uber Geek

Reply # 714642 9-Nov-2012 13:09
If existing drive won't work you could probably get a 2.5 drive off trademe (SATA 1.0) for around $20-30 and then: http://support.lenovo.com/en_NZ/product-and-parts/detail.page?&LegacyDocID=MIGR-66512

mainlydata

30 posts

Geek

Reply # 714644 9-Nov-2012 13:10
As Alexx commented it may be that you're (A) lacking sufficient RAM to run Ubuntu with a GUI (I think 512MB is the low end) and (B) unable to put any more in (because not always easy to expand RAM on laptops). There are various cut down versions of Ubuntu (this is one : https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Lubuntu) which bring the memory bar down to 256Mb but I can't remember what you trade off in order to use those . Best of luck - it's good to use old hardware rather than chuck it if you can.

Chaitanya

42 posts

Geek

Reply # 714684 9-Nov-2012 13:55
Best of luck - it's good to use old hardware rather than chuck it if you can. That's exactly what I am trying to do. I added 2 GB RAM last year making my total RAM to 2.5GB so that's not an issue. My hard disk has some bad sectors partly because it is aged and partly because I mistreated it. Today I loaded http://www.pendrivelinux.com/universal-usb-installer-easy-as-1-2-3/#button to my USB drive. I am hoping to boot Ubuntu Live off this USB. Then scan hard disk using Ubuntu's in-built disk checker tools and see if I can repair and use the current HD despite some bad sectors. If HDD is irrecoverable I am planning to buy a cheap SSD and use it temporarily. Thanks all for your suggestions and help. It is much appreciated. I will update you with how it all went once I actually work on it tonight or later.

davidcole

1572 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Reply # 714718 9-Nov-2012 14:47
When trying to to an old laptop with ubuntu, the biggest issue I found with the live cd was getting past loading the video driver. It just wouldn't find one suitable. Had to give up and put windows 2003 server on it instead - with no problems. Previously knows as psycik NextPVR Based HTPC: 2 x HVR3000 - DVB-S - Freeview, HVR3000 - DVB-T Freeview\|HD, Nova-T 500 - Dual Freeview\|HD, Digital Coax --> Yamaha RX-v540, 8600GT --> Samsung LA46A650D via HDMI Clients: Popcorn Hour A-100, 1xATV2, 1xATV3 Windows 7 Ultimate Host 4x2TB + 1x1.5TB using DriveBender, VMWare Server 2 with 1xW7, 2xW2k3 1xUbuntu 11.10 Desktop, 1xWHS2011, Plex

Chaitanya

42 posts

Geek

Reply # 714777 9-Nov-2012 15:49
I will let you know if I come across any spoilers.

Chaitanya

42 posts

Geek

Reply # 714850 9-Nov-2012 17:47
yay! online from Ubuntu booted off USB stick. will try to get my hard disk working tonight so that i can start using my laptop hopefully for some more months.

naggyman

517 posts

Ultimate Geek

Reply # 714853 9-Nov-2012 17:58
If you are looking for a new laptop your best bet is system76: https://www.system76.com/ The Naggyman! http://naggyman.wordpress.com

Chaitanya

42 posts

Geek

Reply # 715671 12-Nov-2012 09:34
I successfully infused some life into my almost dead laptop. I am loading Ubuntu off USB. It gets clunky at time but mostly I am able to use my laptop for browsing web and editing tiny docs. It appears that my hard disk is hopelessly screwed up. I am now looking for some dirt cheap hard drives. I browsed for some on the websites of PbTech and Ascent but couldn't find anything under 50 NZD. I searched on Trade Me as well but I am only getting cases of hard drives for under 20 NZD! I welcome any ideas but I understand this question inappropriate for this forum. Thanks a ton for everyone who cared to respond to me.

dman

732 posts

Ultimate Geek

Reply # 717637 15-Nov-2012 12:48
Get a cheap Chromebook (either the Samsung for US$249 or the C7 for $199) then stick Ubuntu on it. Who I am: multi time Ironman finisher, University of Auckland graduate, Freelancer (mainly focused on website development, message me for work). twitter.com/TersoIT