[PLUG] Suggestions for featherweight laptop

Mon Sep 11 02:37:02 UTC 2017

Tom-

Following your idea I bought an HP Stream 14 from WalMart for $229. To 
be used as a featherweight Mint only machine for coming up to speed in 
Linux (waaaay overdue) and learning Python while sitting in an easy 
chair watching football (with the sound off). So far, so good. :-D.

I've had dozens of PCs over 4 decades starting with Altair and Imsai. 
Then one of the 3 wire-wrap prototypes of the TRS-80 Model I. And run 
everything from OS/2 to BEoS and more but have not yet found the perfect 
PC. This little HP is no exception, but for the low price and decent 
performance it's good. It's close to the target of 3 lbs and $200 with a 
large enough screen and ultra long battery life.

Tried installing MINT alongside the Windows 10 for fun but the Linux 
mouse pad drivers were apparently not installed yet so was unable to 
adjust the HD partition. By the time I added a USB mouse I had 
apparently crossed a no return install point and HD space adjust was no 
longer an option. So I tried a dual-boot using the default partition but 
there was not enough space. So I wiped the HD and moved on.

No serious documentation is included but critical information is on the 
net; like to bring up the Setup screen tap ESC repeatedly during the 
fast boot, select F10 to enter BIOS Setup, then System Config, then Boot 
Options, and enable Legacy Support.

To install Linux from an ISO burned to a USB thumb drive enter Setup 
again and select F9, then Boot From USB Hard Drive (UEFI). (I still 
don't know which if any USB ports are really 3.0 and which are 2???)

My MINT 18.2 MATE 64 install was uneventful. No quirks noted so far and 
performance is good.

Like most portables the Stream 14 runs very hot beneath the CPU when 
running hard, but cool enuf otherwise. I assume the HP Stream 11 
operates the same as the 14.

Thanks for the good suggestions, Tom. This should work out fine. And I 
hope this info helps others.

-Dave

On 9/4/2017 2:54 PM, Tomas Kuchta wrote:
> I have it as general use shared laptop for the kids, anyone. Got it new
> about 2 years ago for $199 new. It is light, surprisingly well constructed,
> it has no fan, 2xUSB, HDMI and SD card slot. It lasts about 8 hours on
> battery.
>
>   The new/latest version has 4GB RAM and faster WiFi which would be nice,
> but it is good enough for browsing, Netflix, basic stuff.
>
> Note: It comes in funny blue color only. I do not believe that it is
> upgradable beyond plugging stuff to USB ports, or SD card. It is the only
> laptop I have not opened.
>
> It survived a lot of abuse, fully drained batteries, lot of car/plane
> travel, sticky fingers, .... Don't get me started!
>
> I run stock Ubuntu on it, currently 16.04
>
> I like it and would buy it again for this purpose.
>
> Tomas
>
> On Sep 4, 2017 1:17 PM, "Dave Lien - W7DAL"<W7DAL at comcast.net>  wrote:
>
> Thanks, Tom. I think you found the sweet spot with the HP Stream 11. No
> problem here giving up dual-boot. I'd rather have a good dedicated
> inexpensive lightweight RELIABLE Linux portable that has current
> hardware and will be good for a few years.
>
> If you have had a good experience with the HP Stream 11 as a dedicated
> no-hassle Linux machine I'm tempted to go with it. WalMart has them from
> ~$135 as does NewEgg for refurbs. What specific model have you had good
> luck with? I see there are many variations at different prices...?
>
> Any model to avoid?
>
> I presume it will boot USB and external USB DVD drive.
>
> And finally, is there any magic I need to know about when installing
> MINT and overwriting Windows and other crapware? I see some people have
> had problems installing MINT. (But I'll settle for any decent version of
> Linux.)
>
> -Dave
>
>
> On 9/4/2017 11:58 AM, Tomas Kuchta wrote:
>> If you decide to go for used thikpad X2x0 laptop. I cannot recommend
>> anything older than x220/x230 for many reasons - performance, power
>> consumption, too old architecture and age (you would be buying almost 10
>> years old laptop).
>>
>> In used Thinkpads, there is pretty awesome selection on Newegg Outlet.
>> Example for 2 years old x250:
>> https://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=
> BESTMATCH&Description=X250&ignorear=0&N=-1&isNodeId=1
>> You could get refurbished x250 for about $350 and over time upgrade RAM
> and
>> replace hard drive with SSD. You should be able to get at least 3 more
>> years out of that laptop.
>>
>> For new item in around $200 - you can look into HP Stream 11. It works
>> great with Linux and it is sturdy with good battery life. However it
>> doesn't have enough storage to run both Linux and windows, and it is not
>> upgradable. The only way to add storage is to use SD card or USB stick.
>>
>> For $200 and decent hardware, you will have to make significant
> compromises
>> unless you give up Windows or Linux.
>>
>> Tomas
>>
>> On Sep 4, 2017 10:34 AM, "Chuck Hast"<wchast at gmail.com>  wrote:
>>
>> I have dualbooted the X200 with both Linux and Win7 pro. Worked quite well
>> but I prefer to load it up with RAM and run windows in a VM, works better
> in
>> my view.
>>
>> On Mon, Sep 4, 2017 at 11:40 AM, Rich Shepard<rshepard at appl-ecosys.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> On Mon, 4 Sep 2017, Dave Lien - W7DAL wrote:
>>>
>>>> Does the ThinkPad X200 dual-boot Linux OK for you?  Dave.
>>> Dave,
>>>
>>>      I've no idea as I run only linux on it; haven't done M$ in 20 years
>>> now. A
>>> web search might find the answer for you.
>>>
>>>      If you'll allow a suggestion, replace the existing hard drive with a
>>> large
>>> Samsung SSD, install linux and use qemu to build a virtual machine. Then
>>> you
>>> can install Windows in that. Benefits include: faster and better Windows
>>> performance with greatly reduced risk of crashes, booting only a single
> OS
>>> (no dual boot issues), and now having faster, larger disk storage.
>>>
>>> Regards,
>>>
>>> Rich
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> PLUG mailing list
>>> PLUG at lists.pdxlinux.org
>>> http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug
>>>
>> --
>>
>> Chuck Hast  -- KP4DJT --
>> I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
>> Ph 4:13 KJV
>> Todo lo puedo en Cristo que me fortalece.
>> Fil 4:13 RVR1960
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