On 2021-06-14 10:11, J C Nash wrote: > The Thinkpads have been popular for Linux users for a while. Am I wrong in > finding Thinkpad prices greater than twice as high as the examples I gave for similar > specs. unless I choose refurbished machines? I accept that specs. can often > mislead when it comes to machine "balance" and reliability. One aspect of > my decision making is that I generally prefer a desktop setup for my "main" > use, and am looking for a travel machine. Hence I labelled this thread as > "Discussion". There's unlikely to be a perfect answer, and I appreciate comments > that force careful thinking. I hadn't looked at the prices recently, but what I remembered was in the ballpark of what you had quoted below. You might also check The Trailing Edge refurbs: https://www.tte.ca/collections/laptops-refurbished https://www.tte.ca/collections/laptops-new-open-box > JN > > On 2021-06-14 9:59 a.m., Richard Guy Briggs wrote: > > On 2021-06-14 09:39, J C Nash wrote: > >> With possible opening up of travel and having laptops that are vintage 2014 and 2015, > >> we're thinking of a new one for road trips. > >> > >> Our considerations: > >> > >> - 2 people sharing for email > >> - need for plenty of storage for photos and family history information, plus > >> some technical projects > >> - reasonably fast > >> - robust > >> - we find 14" screen about right balance between visibility and portability > >> > >> Our experience: > >> > >> - our 2 Asus Zenbooks (I7, >8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) are quite nice, but > >> -- the 3800 UHD screen gives lots of woes with apps that reset the > >> resolution. Zoom really messes things about on exit. > >> -- both have had hinge failure. Spent $200 to fix one, but have > >> made a frame for the other and velcroed it so hinge fixed. > >> -- batteries likely near end of useful life, and on the road > >> you sometimes need a battery > >> > >> - our 2010 Asus UL30A still has nicely balanced features, though now > >> too slow and charging circuit beginning to be a nuisance. But a > >> 1TB spinning disk has proved exceptionally nice for road trips, since > >> it can store a pretty well complete set of family photos etc. > >> > >> Keeping watch on offerings, the HP machines > >> https://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=710_1925_1912_1909&item_id=150936 $699 i5 1920 > >> https://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=710_1925_1912_1909&item_id=182955 $699 Ryzen 5 1366 > >> https://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=710_1925_1912_1909&item_id=182956 $849 Ryzen 7 1920 > >> > >> seem interesting. Had to look at specs to see that the cheaper Ryzen is only 1366 resolution. > > > > I'm a huge fan of the commercial line of Thinkpads since 2001, in a 14" > > you would be looking at the T series or the X series. They have > > recently started offering Ryzen processors too. They are robust and > > support Linux reasonably well. They are the preference for RH's kernel > > and Linux developers. > > > >> Does anyone have opinions on these? Have not had a hands-on look, which will be important to making > >> sure keyboard not "strange". Also to try to gauge whether hinge and rest of physical structure robust > >> enough. However, they seem to offer reasonable bang for the buck. We're not stuck on HP, or Asus, or ... > >> Mainly interested in reliable and long-term workhorse that we are comfortable using. > >> > >> JN > > > > slainte mhath, RGB slainte mhath, RGB -- Richard Guy Briggs -- ~\ -- ~\ <hpv.tricolour.ca> <www.TriColour.ca> -- \___ o \@ @ Ride yer bike! Ottawa, ON, CANADA -- Lo_>__M__\\/\%__\\/\% Vote! -- <greenparty.ca>_____GTVS6#790__(*)__(*)________(*)(*)_________________ To unsubscribe send a blank message to linux+unsubscribe [ at ] linux-ottawa [ dot ] org To get help send a blank message to linux+help [ at ] linux-ottawa [ dot ] org To visit the archives: https://lists.linux-ottawa.org