wanted: suggestions for used Linux compatible notebooks

Thu Nov 7 15:43:45 UTC 2019

Hi Liam, and thanks to you and all the others who are already providing useful feedback.
Let's start from this:
> This is like saying "I do not want a rowing boat" and then insisting
> on an aircraft carrier.
Yes, I am well/painfully aware that some of my expectations can be like that.
That's why I come to experts who can bring me back on theground.
Until your email, I had not realized that 15+ inches screens on laptops have become

very rare, and albeit I've seen and used them many times, I had no idea that certain types of keyboards are called "chiclets". I've been an IC designer for many years. I could still write HDL code for a living if I had to, or write developers manuals for microprocessors if I had to.
But  for whatever reason I really fail to get interested in, or retain, certain notions about personal computing hardware, except in moments like this, when I'm forced by circumstances to replace it. One of the (many) reasons why I got involved in RULE is exactly that I did not want to re-learn what hardware is current or compatible with which other every 3 years or so...
Back to my current problem:
1) I prefer traditional keyboard, but that is not a must. Keyboard layout: italian or US, no problem
2) screen size/resolution: of course, the highest the resolution the better (and yes, I'm already equipped with glasses bought specifically to stare long hours at crisp, but tiny text, alas).
This said, I said 15 inches just because a) that is the size of the venerable HP Pavilion
I've been using until last month, which was really fine and b) yes it's not really portable, but enough
portable for my own needs. but I could live with 14 if that has become a problem.  Not less, however.
3) I live in Italy, so whatever I buy must be shipped here/ purchasable from here. International shipping is OK. So is buying from some used hardware store around the corner, if it happens to have the exact brand/model I need.
4) considering all this, and all the feedback received so far, it seems the best /less risky solution for me is to buy ANY Lenovo Thinkpad... as long as it has 14 inches screen, small SSD, 4GB RAM minimum, and it's not older than 4/5 years, so it may last just as much. Am I right? If yes, please just point me to the best series/model of Thinkpad, and I can take care of finding the right buyer myself. That's not a problem, what "kills" me is spending lots of time to figure out what the best model(s) is.
Thanks!
Marco

On Thu, Nov 7, 2019 at 12:21, Liam Proven  wrote:
On Thu, 7 Nov 2019 at 11:12, M. Fioretti  wrote:
Greetings,

Hi Marco

* used/refurbished, max 4/5 years old.

OK.

* In what country/currency?
* International shipping OK?
* what keyboard layout etc.?

* standard size keyboard

OK. Chiclet acceptable or only traditional?

* 15 inches or bigger screen

That is _big_. That's about as big as notebooks go at all these days.
It will _dramatically_ restrict your options.

(I cannot use subnotebooks/netbooks. I did in the past, but small
keyboards give me cramps, and small screens make e.g. reading a web
page and commenting it in an editor too slow. In case it matters, I
have NO use for numeric pads)

This is like saying "I do not want a rowing boat" and then insisting
on an aircraft carrier.

My main laptop is a Thinkpad X220 with a circa 12" screen. It's fine
for use when travelling, I've watched movies on it, etc.

I also have a 14" screen machine which is significantly bigger. It's
not so portable but would be better for multitasking.

I used to have a 17" laptop but I sold it. Lovely, suitable as a main
PC, but barely portable at all. For that reason the 17" class has
these days mostly been replaced by 15.2"-15.6" as desktop replacement
size.

I would urge 2 things. Well, maybe 3 but one isn't about the laptop.

[1] Consider resolution not just size
[2] Consider around the 14" size range but high res, e.g. 1600*900
[3] If higher-res screens are causing you problems, get your eyes
checked. Even off-the-shelf / over-the-counter reading glasses may
help. We've been corresponding since the RULE Project days and I think
you may be around my age, and human eyes start to deteriorate at about
38-39Y of age as the lenses crystallise.

firefox with 20+ tabs open all the time, as quickly
and smoothly as possible.

So you need _at least_ 8GB RAM, and more might help. An SSD will also
dramatically improve performance.

* fully compatible with Ubuntu, of course.

That clinches it, for me.

I always recommend Lenovo Thinkpads anyway, for superior build
quality, high-quality keyboards, and other characteristics. However, I
know Canonical uses a lot of Thinkpads (as does Red Hat) and so their
Linux support is among the best.

Avoid Dell, HP or Sony.

Toshiba can be OK.

But I would _strongly_ recommend Thinkpads.

Note, *NOT* IdeaPads or any other range. Thinkpad or nothing.

Optional, but very welcome: models available on Amazon, so I can use
some gift cards I got...

Not that I know of refurbed/used, no.

Use the tokens for some SSDs or RAM.

Depending on where and what localisation, and whether UK sourcing is
acceptable, I would suggest you look at:

https://www.morgancomputers.co.uk/c/512/IBM-Lenovo-Laptops/ (https://www.morgancomputers.co.uk/c/512/IBM-Lenovo-Laptops/)
-- for good prices

https://www.tier1online.com/ (https://www.tier1online.com/)
-- often better condition and spec but a little more expensive

-- 
Liam Proven - Profile: https://about.me/liamproven (https://about.me/liamproven)
Email: lproven at cix.co.uk (mailto:lproven at cix.co.uk) - Google Mail/Hangouts/Plus: lproven at gmail.com (mailto:lproven at gmail.com)
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