I'm cautious in writing this since it may just be a statistical anomaly. But over many years I have bought several PC's and laptops (business and personal) from the likes of Novatech, PCWorld and a couple from Laptops Direct and the latter never lasted anywhere near as long.

edit: Novatech may be worth looking at as they will sell without an operating system…

pgk

Edited By pgk pgk on 23/03/2021 09:47:58

I have 5 (6 if you include one with a French keyboard) Lenovo X-series now somewhat ancient but all will run 64 bit Linux systems usually Mint of various generations inc old 32bit versions or Debian XFCE or Ubuntu (which however I dislike intensely but Pico tech for scopes only will run under Ubuntu) but pre covid I never paid more than ?120 for these and often a lot less, sometimes even ?30 or so at auction – the older models are easy to upgrade – maximising memory and of course a SSD work wonders for speed and your workload doesn’t sound particularly demanding.

Newer models of Lenovo might have certain restrictions on non-Lenovo batteries etc and may not be readily upgraded

I'm in a similar position. Linux's compatibility with up-to-date hardware is much better than it used to be. Unless you're going for some bleeding edge gear with exotic chipsets, it will probably be OK, although occasionally silly things like a finger-print detector module won't have a Linux driver, so won't work. You should be able to test the thing out with Mint on a USB stick (if the shop will let you).

I searched 'Linux Mint hardware compatability' and got this **LINK** as the first hit. There's plenty more on the various fora… I'll be looking soon, when I decide to buy the boss her new laptop…

Having said that, older gear works far better with Linux than with bloated Windoze! So end-of-line deals may be an option, if buying new.

Edited By Kiwi Bloke on 23/03/2021 10:09:33

Dell products aimed at the business market generally have a good reputation – I’d be very wary of those aimed at the consumer and sold at places such as PC-World – also Dell tended to have some features that can make it expensive to upgrade (eg non-standard PSUs)

Hi Peter,

Personally I would not bother with new laptop, as your intended purpose is Linux you will get a lot more "bang for your buck" than if you were using Windows, I would re-purpose a nearly new or refurbished laptop instead, can prbably get two 2nd user laptops for the price of one new one

Just my $0.02 worth

I am with you Peter – And that is someone who has 2 laptops on the table – I am typing on one – and another 4 leaning up against the table leg and there are numerous others. The newest ones are about 3 years old and the others up to 14 years old and running a selection of Windows, Pixel and Linux operating systems.

But while they all operate only one of the 4 year old ones still has a totally functioning battery – the other is warning me the capacity is not what it was. All of the rest will operate off the mains for lesser periods. I have another 'premium' system sitting in the corner that is not in use as it cannot be upgraded to Win10, its batteries are dead and I have no need for another Linux box at present.

Basically if you want a reliable 'new' laptop – that is what you need to buy. If you are prepared to accept a shorter battery life (and that of some older laptops wasn't anything to write home about, even when new) and potentially screen, power socket or keyboard issues then go ahead and buy a used one. I have done that in the past but would not do so again.

Most of those I have here have been superceded in other roles and so did not cost much if anything – but the 'main' desktop and 'main' laptop were each bought new.

That one will run very well with Linux, the battery may not be strong in a second hand laptop, that is the only slight concern.