Low cost Linux Laptops...
My computing is largely based around a classic style mini-tower and some Raspberry PI computers. But I sometimes need to take things on the road, for which I have a low-end laptop that originally came with Windows 10, and I replaced that with Debian GNU/Linux. When it comes to computing on the move, I see it as an accessory to my desktop, no heavy duty tasks. This mobile arrangement all works for me (your mileage might vary). When I was getting that laptop I ignored the Chromebooks as they didn't seem capable of doing anything other than ChromeOS. Well, live and learn, below is a video about installing Linux on a Chromebook, Yes, there are some ... somewhat ugly hoops ... you have to jump through to get Linux on a Chromebook. Then you have to deal with the limitations of a Chromebook, limited RAM, sluggish CPU, and limited storage. Still, it can be done, using a lightweight Linux distribution, and well, knowing everything is limited. I am in no rush to replace my current laptop (it is running just fine for what I want to do), but next time I have to shop for a laptop, I will at least consider a Chromebook (at least as long as I am confident I can put a Linux distribution on the device). So, anyone looking for portable Linux on a VERY tight budget may want to consider this. https://youtu.be/iydjjpvkoDE?si=FCYCCuNZBVQjUxsv
I have "HP Chromebook 11 G3" with Crouton installed. It's "chroot", and you can install text-mode only or full desktop. But, you are limited to old Ubuntu. Last time I looked at replacing ChromeOS with Linux, only the later Chromebook models can do that. My chromebook can't. Might as well, since I'm not confident that all their hardwares are supported by mainstream Linux distros. Cheap means cheap hardware and battery. My Chromebook killed 2 batteries. So, I gave up and just removed the battery. Cost of batteries were than the Chromebook. All in all, Windows laptops are better investment, because you can do text stuffs in WSL. Now, if Chromebooks come with GPIO pins, then they can kill Raspberry Pi, period. On 2026-02-15 11:18, Colin McGregor via Talk wrote:
My computing is largely based around a classic style mini-tower and some Raspberry PI computers. But I sometimes need to take things on the road, for which I have a low-end laptop that originally came with Windows 10, and I replaced that with Debian GNU/Linux. When it comes to computing on the move, I see it as an accessory to my desktop, no heavy duty tasks. This mobile arrangement all works for me (your mileage might vary). When I was getting that laptop I ignored the Chromebooks as they didn't seem capable of doing anything other than ChromeOS.
Well, live and learn, below is a video about installing Linux on a Chromebook, Yes, there are some ... somewhat ugly hoops ... you have to jump through to get Linux on a Chromebook. Then you have to deal with the limitations of a Chromebook, limited RAM, sluggish CPU, and limited storage. Still, it can be done, using a lightweight Linux distribution, and well, knowing everything is limited. I am in no rush to replace my current laptop (it is running just fine for what I want to do), but next time I have to shop for a laptop, I will at least consider a Chromebook (at least as long as I am confident I can put a Linux distribution on the device). So, anyone looking for portable Linux on a VERY tight budget may want to consider this.
https://youtu.be/iydjjpvkoDE?si=FCYCCuNZBVQjUxsv ------------------------------------ Description: GTALUG Talk Unsubscribe via Talk-unsubscribe@lists.gtalug.org Start a new thread: talk@lists.gtalug.org This message archived at https://lists.gtalug.org/archives/list/talk@lists.gtalug.org/message/HNBZHVW...
On 2026-02-15 11:18, Colin McGregor via Talk wrote:
My computing is largely based around a classic style mini-tower and some Raspberry PI computers. But I sometimes need to take things on the road, for which I have a low-end laptop that originally came with Windows 10, and I replaced that with Debian GNU/Linux. When it comes to computing on the move, I see it as an accessory to my desktop, no heavy duty tasks. This mobile arrangement all works for me (your mileage might vary). When I was getting that laptop I ignored the Chromebooks as they didn't seem capable of doing anything other than ChromeOS.
Well, live and learn, below is a video about installing Linux on a Chromebook, Yes, there are some ... somewhat ugly hoops ... you have to jump through to get Linux on a Chromebook. Then you have to deal with the limitations of a Chromebook, limited RAM, sluggish CPU, and limited storage. Still, it can be done, using a lightweight Linux distribution, and well, knowing everything is limited. I am in no rush to replace my current laptop (it is running just fine for what I want to do), but next time I have to shop for a laptop, I will at least consider a Chromebook (at least as long as I am confident I can put a Linux distribution on the device). So, anyone looking for portable Linux on a VERY tight budget may want to consider this.
https://youtu.be/iydjjpvkoDE?si=FCYCCuNZBVQjUxsv ------------------------------------ Description: GTALUG Talk Unsubscribe via Talk-unsubscribe@lists.gtalug.org Start a new thread: talk@lists.gtalug.org This message archived at https://lists.gtalug.org/archives/list/talk@lists.gtalug.org/message/HNBZHVW...
I tried the Chromebook approach. I was tired of dragging a heavy laptop while traveling so I bought a cheap low-end chromebook at Best Buy for $99.99, a lenovo ideapad 3 11" chromebook, celeron-n4020 64gb emmc, 4gb-ram, 1 Kg weight! But I quickly got tired of Chromeos and fighting to keep my linux apps running, so I installed the coreboot bootloader over it, and then ran debian on top of that. I run Debian testing on a crypted file system. I would be annoyed if was stolen or lost, but at $99 I wouldn't be crying, and my data would be unreadable. My experience has been great, the laptop is very nimble. I was even prepared to use xfce on it but it runs KDE 5 perfectly fine! I run openoffice for my wife's travel notes, firefox, and thunderbird to collect mail from home via a wireguard vpn. And movies. -- Michael Galea
Michael Galea via Talk wrote on 2026-02-15 15:39:
a lenovo ideapad 3 11" chromebook, celeron-n4020 64gb emmc, *4gb- ram*, 1 Kg weight!
it runs KDE 5 perfectly fine! Nice.
It's been said that KDE Plasma has shaken its reputation as being a resource hog. I've had no problem with it, and your post seems to confirm what's said.
Ron via Talk said on Sun, 15 Feb 2026 18:05:47 -0800
Michael Galea via Talk wrote on 2026-02-15 15:39:
a lenovo ideapad 3 11" chromebook, celeron-n4020 64gb emmc, *4gb- ram*, 1 Kg weight!
it runs KDE 5 perfectly fine! Nice.
It's been said that KDE Plasma has shaken its reputation as being a resource hog. I've had no problem with it, and your post seems to confirm what's said.
I've also heard that the KDE Plasma Desktop Environment isn't as piggy as the KDE from the 00's and 10's. Every once in a while I think of trying it again. But then I remember that using a single KDE application like K3B (a truly great DVD recorder) pulls in dozens of KDE libraries, some of which bog down the computer when running. So even though I'd love to have K3B again and use Dolphin instead of PCManFM, I just can't pull the trigger. SteveT Steve Litt http://444domains.com
From: Steve Litt via Talk <talk@lists.gtalug.org>
I've also heard that the KDE Plasma Desktop Environment isn't as piggy as the KDE from the 00's and 10's. Every once in a while I think of trying it again. But then I remember that using a single KDE application like K3B (a truly great DVD recorder) pulls in dozens of KDE libraries, some of which bog down the computer when running.
These libraries are probably shared libraries. Most of the code will be in read/execute - only segments. - they will only be loaded when they are in use - when memory pressure requires a page of a shared library to be evicted, it need not be written to a page file: it's unchanged so it can be reloaded from the library file. K3B works under GNOME too. At least when I last tried it.
Oh, KDE is still piggy, heck, piggest of them all. But, latest KDE is the fastest. That's why I still use it, even though all GUI apps I use (Firefox, Thunderbird, and LibreOffice) are separate apps. On 2026-02-17 21:52, Steve Litt via Talk wrote:
I've also heard that the KDE Plasma Desktop Environment isn't as piggy as the KDE from the 00's and 10's.
William Park via Talk said on Wed, 18 Feb 2026 13:55:46 -0500
Oh, KDE is still piggy, heck, piggest of them all.
But, latest KDE is the fastest.
Wait: Those two sentences sound like a contradiction. Or did you mean the latest KDE (I assume plasma) is the fastest *KDE* there's ever been? SteveT Steve Litt http://444domains.com
I have run Linux on a few Chromebooks. I started with the MrChromeBox method but that stopped being maintained. Newer models have better support for normal Linux. Most recent I have completely removed all chromesOS, it is full Linux. Had an arch family distro at one point but now low powered Debian distro. I got the device for $50, I think it was a discontinued education model that flooded the market. Have had it for 2 or 3 years now. This model is not too bad for hardware quality. I recently replaced the battery which was an ambitious repair for me. Was very proud of myself to get it done! Then I dropped it on the kitchen tile floor and the hinges have become misaligned so it can't close. Very frustrating. But can't blame anybody but myself. It still works otherwise. It should be possible to get a working netbook for under $100. Ensure it comes with a charger and consider cost of SD card if you don't have one to use. Freegeek usually has some "barebones" laptops or netbooks available for fair price. I recommend installing all or part of the system partitions to an SD card because the 8 or 16 GB internal storage is used very quickly. However many consider this unsafe due to potential catastrophic failures on SD cards. If you want to do this, try to get a model where the SD card is completely inserted rather than sicking out halfway! And have a backup plan if your system is not disposable. (I have not had any issues with this.) Performance wise, you have to moderate your expectations of course. There will be no miracles. But if you manage your tasks properly and run appropriate software, its very serviceable. A netbook is NOT a daily driver replacement for many people. It is better as an ancillary device. Trying to do much work on it would become frustrating due to low resources. I love Linux netbooks. Actually its how I got back into Linux after a decade away. A much better (re)introduction than dual booting. Far less disruptive, risky. Would suggest to anyone looking to give Linux a spin. Especially if the initial install can be done by someone with more experience. :) On Sun, Feb 15, 2026, at 11:18 AM, Colin McGregor via Talk wrote:
My computing is largely based around a classic style mini-tower and some Raspberry PI computers. But I sometimes need to take things on the road, for which I have a low-end laptop that originally came with Windows 10, and I replaced that with Debian GNU/Linux. When it comes to computing on the move, I see it as an accessory to my desktop, no heavy duty tasks. This mobile arrangement all works for me (your mileage might vary). When I was getting that laptop I ignored the Chromebooks as they didn't seem capable of doing anything other than ChromeOS.
Well, live and learn, below is a video about installing Linux on a Chromebook, Yes, there are some ... somewhat ugly hoops ... you have to jump through to get Linux on a Chromebook. Then you have to deal with the limitations of a Chromebook, limited RAM, sluggish CPU, and limited storage. Still, it can be done, using a lightweight Linux distribution, and well, knowing everything is limited. I am in no rush to replace my current laptop (it is running just fine for what I want to do), but next time I have to shop for a laptop, I will at least consider a Chromebook (at least as long as I am confident I can put a Linux distribution on the device). So, anyone looking for portable Linux on a VERY tight budget may want to consider this.
https://youtu.be/iydjjpvkoDE?si=FCYCCuNZBVQjUxsv ------------------------------------ Description: GTALUG Talk Unsubscribe via Talk-unsubscribe@lists.gtalug.org Start a new thread: talk@lists.gtalug.org This message archived at https://lists.gtalug.org/archives/list/talk@lists.gtalug.org/message/HNBZHVW...
Interesting thread. About ChromeBooks: I once tried to install Linux on a ChromeBook that many others had success with. It didn't work for me and I never got back to the project. But that was many years ago -- the hardware wouldn't be very useful these days. I have a couple of ChromeBooks - by design, the inexpensive ones are underpowered for Linux use. generally: slow processors, little RAM, slow and small disks (eMMC usually). Still, it is usually enough to actually function. - if you can, choose one with UFS over one with eMMC. Same idea, but faster. NVMe is better still. - the expensive ChromeBooks can have nice resources but they are usually not cheaper than similarly resourced Windows devices. - they can run most Android apps. Unfortunately, performance seems a little slow. - they can run debian-variant Linux in a shell. This option is part of ChromeOS now. I've found it quite useful. It takes quite a bit of the precious disk space. - ChromeBooks come with a commitment for firmware upgrades for many years, spelled out. Much more than most Android devices. This seems to be because the license Google gives the manufacturer requires that. A side-effect is that many SoCs for Android cannot be used for ChromeOS. <https://support.google.com/chrome/a/answer/6220366> - if you run Linux on the bare metal, you probably cannot go back due to security restrictions. I'm not sure of this. - running Linux on the bare metal takes following a slightly tricky recipe, slightly different for each model. I imagine that this is only practical on x86-based machines. Don't try this on a model without a recipe -- too much pioneering. I find it easier and more rewarding to run Linux on machines designed for Windows. Windows is so fat that the resources are generous for Linux. The firmware environment standardized for Windows almost always works for Linux. I will admit that the Windows Netbook world has shrunk a lot.
participants (7)
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bitmap -
Colin McGregor -
D. Hugh Redelmeier -
Michael Galea -
Ron -
Steve Litt -
William Park