Hey all - what’s your experience with refurb Lenovo laptops for Linux from companies/shops that specialize in this as a service? I’m looking at LinuxPusher.dk but am also curious about other EU-based shops. It seems like a good, affordable way to get a Linux machine if you’re a novice, like me (some experience with Ubuntu and Kubuntu about 10 years ago).
I checked LinuxPusher and I wouldn’t say they’re affordable. Their laptops are 2-3x the price of the same laptop running no OS on sites like eBay.de. For example, their cheapest T470 is 3000 krone, while the equivalent laptop on ebay is like 150 euro or 1120 krone.
I looked at a Thinkpad L14 G1, an elitebook 840 G5, and the dell 3060 Micro and it’s the same. Consistently 2x and higher markup.
Is that markup worth a 2 year warranty?
You could literally buy a second device if the first one kicks the bucket and still be out ahead monetarily.
If you want to slowly start using linux and already have a pc, make a portable install on any flash drive (I like external ssds for this exact reason) you want, and boot it. (ideally set the RealTimeIsUniversal registry entry in windows so Linux and windows don’t fuck up the bios time).
That’s helpful, thanks. I’m guessing they charge a premium because they provide a service. I’m not afraid to tinker a bit, but my interest in Linux is not tinkering - it’s to switch to a freer, more sustainable OS. So I’m curious about services that offer support.
For that reason I’ve also looked at Tuxedo computers, but I’m worried that I’m locking myself into another company’s OS again (from Microsoft/Apple to Tuxedo) rather than having the freedom to choose my own distro. But I guess with support comes a price: less freedom.
Right now I’m deeply locked into the Apple ecosystem. Apple makes wonderful hardware and apps, but it’s still a straitjacket, even if it’s a designer straitjacket. 😀
Well I think Tuxedo computers would work easily with any other distribution. It’s not based on anything factual but I guess we would have heard a lot of bad things about Tuxedo if they were acting like this.
From the little I know, they have some aditional stuff with Tuxedo OS, but they are also trying to get it added to the Linux kernel.
If course I would want to be corrected if I’m wrong as my knowledge is kind of limited.
Tuxedo OS as far as i know is an optional distro they give preinstalled. You can buy them with no OS and install one yourself via usb it takes like 15 mins. This is true of any laptop with an unlocked bootloader (something like a mac can be done but its harder.)
Excellent point - guess I was just applying proprietary thinking to what Tuxedo offers, but of course it’s a different kettle of fish.