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TygrBright

(20,987 posts)
Fri Jan 10, 2020, 12:09 AM Jan 2020

Need a new laptop. Recommendations?

I'm looking for something that can support both a Linux partition and >>gag<< Windoze 10.

I've looked at gaming machines in the past for the graphics cards and rendering speed (don't actually game much anymore, but do some graphics-heavy work) and I'd like something that can run old software from a disc drive.

Don't necessarily need much storage space as we'll be investing in a desktop storage drive to dock it to.

Anyone seen a really good deal around lately?

hopefully,
Bright

13 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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alwaysinasnit

(5,232 posts)
1. FWIW. I have had several Asus computers and have never had a problem. I get my electronics from
Fri Jan 10, 2020, 12:17 AM
Jan 2020
https://www.newegg.com/

They also have customer service that can likely answer a lot of your questions.

Good luck.
 

mr_lebowski

(33,643 posts)
7. +2 for The Egg ... just bought a new mobo, cpu, ram, and nvme drive ...
Fri Jan 10, 2020, 03:18 AM
Jan 2020

And like was the case with nearly all my PC gear, it came from the Egg. It's also the only 'store credit card' I've had in the last ... 20 years or so.

Susan Calvin

(2,075 posts)
8. Somewhat related.
Fri Jan 10, 2020, 06:02 AM
Jan 2020

I bought a little Asus a year or two ago with Windows 10, ick. I love the little computer but I hate Windows 10. So basically I never use it. That's how much I hate Windows 10.

How do I find out if it's possible to install Linux on it? Other than by just trying I mean, because I'm afraid if I just try I'll mess the computer up so that it's unusable. Or is that a stupid question and the answer is always of course you can install Linux?

alwaysinasnit

(5,232 posts)
10. I, unfortunately, don't have the technical know-how to help you. My son is a software engineer and I
Fri Jan 10, 2020, 02:47 PM
Jan 2020

get tech help from him. I do know that you can call Newegg's customer service and get some help there. As to Sin 10 (Windows 10), I also resist using it, more because of it's surveillance capabilities so I purchased a new Asus with Win 7. I have several layers of anti-virus and encryption on it because Microsoft will no longer support it, and I will hang on to my Win 7 computer for as long as I can. Linux, hopefully, will be more widely used in the future but for now, all we have is scattered support.

fleabiscuit

(4,542 posts)
4. I'd be less than useful, having only Apple machines for the last 30 years.
Fri Jan 10, 2020, 12:34 AM
Jan 2020

However, if you haven't been to Ars forums I like to point people there. I have received positive responses from them.

https://arstechnica.com/civis/

JDC

(10,475 posts)
9. I have a MacBook Pro; I run VMWare Fusion
Fri Jan 10, 2020, 07:42 AM
Jan 2020

And have both Windows 10 and Ubuntu Linux instances running on it.

TygrBright

(20,987 posts)
11. That hadn't entered my possibles list, but you're right, it's do-able.
Fri Jan 10, 2020, 07:35 PM
Jan 2020

I'm just not sure that the MacBook would offer anything (other than reliability which is, granted, no small advantage!) that would justify having to work it as (essentially) a foreign environment for the other OS?

curiously,
Bright

JDC

(10,475 posts)
12. I'm not sure I understand the question.
Fri Jan 10, 2020, 08:26 PM
Jan 2020

I run Mac OS for all my day to day. But for times when I need to run windows or need to run Linux, I turn on my VMWare and boot whichever OS I want to run in parallel with my MacBook OS. I can toggle from "machine" to "machine" in real time as they are both running simultaneously. It is a battery suck I'll admit, but I'm plugged into power mostly. Things get slower on the machines if I have all 3 OSs running at the same time. I usually just pause one so I only have 2 running max at any given time. The VMWare offers "Unity" mode where all OSs are given a blended feel, but it's a pain and kinda confusing.

It is much more efficient when you use 2 or three monitors. If you want 3, you'll have to get a docking station/hub. Belkin makes an OK one. What's nice is I usually have 2 Deaktops set up per monitor, so I can run multiple apps in their own screen and just toggle between them with a fingers swipe or hot corner.

One thing about my Mac that I do not like is that it only has 4 USB-C ports. Period. Good that Any of which can be used for power and accessories; BUT, I have to use a dongle if I don't have my dock connected. So if I want to use a thumb drive that is regular USB, out comes the dongle. HDMI so I can connect to a customer's conference room projector...dongle. It's a pain.

TygrBright

(20,987 posts)
13. It's not just the MacBook that is cutting down on ports...
Sat Jan 11, 2020, 12:06 AM
Jan 2020

As I'm looking at various options it's clear that most laptop makers are limiting ports, probably for reasons of profile and weight.

What I meant by my query was that I don't have any reason to use the Mac OS for a particular function, so would probably spend almost all time in other OS.

But I understand from Mac-based users that it's superior for a number of graphics functions, so it might be worth a try.

No matter what I end up with, I'm fairly sure I'll need a dock, though.

ka-ching, ka-ching...

regretfully,
Bright

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