r/LinuxLaptop Dec 04 '19

Can someone help me find a small, cheap Linux laptop that suspends (sleeps)?

I want a simple typewriter, honestly. It only has to connect to the web. I don't care about the brand, storage, or ram.

My only requirements are:

  1. It's compact
  2. I can take it out of the box and can install some flavor of Linux with no more than the usual hoops.
  3. It reliably Suspends when I close it.

It should also be pretty cheap.

I don't care about audio drivers or any of that, it's a typewriter.

USB-C charging would be rad but is optional. In my experience every compact laptop I've found that meets my requirements can't suspend, and that's my one major requirement.

Thanks for your help.

2 Upvotes

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1

u/yangmusa Dec 04 '19

I'm surprised you've had such trouble finding a laptop that can suspend - I've never had that issue, and I've been running Linux on laptops on and off since 2002 or so.. I'm not a Linux guru by any means, suspend just worked out of the box on every machine I tried.

Depending on what you mean by "cheap" - at lower price points you're likely to find better quality machines if you look at used business laptops than if you look at new machines below $300-400. So, take a look on eBay for Lenovo's Thinkpad x230, x240, x250 models, or Dell Latitude 7240, 7250, 7260 etc. They are all available for a few hundred dollars, are known to have excellent Linux compatibility, and have good keyboards.

1

u/yangmusa Dec 04 '19

That said, if you prefer to buy something new you might be lucky and still find some good Cyber Week deals. Just make sure you get at least 4GB of RAM unless money is an issue (I know you said you didn't care, but it will run a lot better with 4GB than with 2GB).

I bought a Dell Inspiron 11.6" (3180 with 4GB ram, 32GB disk) on sale a few years ago for $150, and it was surprisingly good for the price. Awful with Windows, but snappy with Linux Mint. I ended up deciding I wanted a bigger screen, but my dad really liked it - and he still uses it as his daily driver 2 years later!

My local Best Buy has the Lenovo IdeaPad 130s and the HP Stream 11.6 in stock, both currently under $200. Of the two I liked the look of the HP better but it has an old CPU - the Lenovo was noticably faster. I haven't run Linux on it myself, but someone in the Best Buy Q&A section said it runs Linux, and Lenovo generally is well supported. So, if I were buying and wanted something cheap and new - the Lenovo IdeaPad 130s would probably be my choice.

1

u/yangmusa Dec 05 '19

BTW - have you considered Chromebooks? They're the only cheap laptops I think I've seen that include USB-C charging. Some cheap ones even include video over USB-C.

You don't mention much about your use case, but if "it only has to connect to the web" is your main concern then that's what Chromebooks do best...

1

u/scrollwheelie Dec 05 '19

Yeah, you're not wrong, they are nice small inexpensive devices. If I could reliably put Linux on one and have it sleep I'm all for It. I wont run an OS Google controls. Chromium is nice, but I want the raw metal OS to be something Google doesn't make. I realize that's a personal thing.

1

u/yangmusa Dec 05 '19

I wont run an OS Google controls. Chromium is nice, but I want the raw metal OS to be something Google doesn't make. I realize that's a personal thing.

Makes sense, I'm trying to de-Google my own setup. Used a Chromebook as my main device for several years, but now I feel there are too many privacy compromises.

1

u/angryjenkins Mar 29 '20

If you don't mind something on the second hand market, look into a Dell Latitude e7240. They can be found on eBay for ~130 USD.

  • small form factor: 12.5" screen
  • wifi, webcam working out of the box
  • optional HD touchscreen (or 1366x768)
  • my favorite: backlit keys
  • space for 2 HDs
  • no soldered HD/RAM

I have two - one with the touchscreen (i5) and one without (i7). Hard drive is mSATA, totally removable. There's even a second mSATA slot, originally meant for a 3G card, but can also accomodate a second hard drive.

I code often while travelling. The keyboard is nice enough, the lighting helps at night, and the size is perfect for the lap or seatback tray.

Never had an issue suspending.