conclusion of: wanted: suggestions for used Linux compatible notebooks

[Liam Proven]

On Mon, 23 Dec 2019 at 19:39, M. Fioretti <mfioretti at nexaima.net> wrote:
>
> Eventually, taking this advice into account and checking what was
> actually available at the moment with shipping to Italy, I ended up
> ordering two refurbished Thinkpads:
>
> * one X220 (for a relative, not for me)

Nice. Still use a Core i5 X220  as my main personal laptop. (To be
fair it doesn't get much use except when travelling, as I have an iMac
as my home desktop.)

Considering trying to find a maxed-out one so it will last a bit
longer -- a Core i7 model with 16 GB RAM.


> * one T420 for me.
>
> The X220 arrived with a battery at ~50% capability, but otherwise it's
> fine.

I bought a replacement battery for mine from my local vendor
(www.alza.cz). It works fine and is recognised etc. in both Win10 and
Ubuntu.

> The T420.. I ordered it, but they just sent me a T430 instead.
> It has one small hole in the right front corner (you could put a
> pencil in there), just the plastic, not the chassis. However, I loaded
> Ubuntu 19.10 live CD on it and all the hardware and ports look fine
> and are recognized without problems. Besides, it has 1600x900
> resolution, higher than on the T420 I had ordered, so I am almost sure
> I will keep it. Any reason I shouldn't? Probably not, but your
> thoughts are welcome as always. Also, any other check I should do
> before definitely "committing" to it? memtest, what else?

If you're fine with the keyboard then by all means keep it.

It sounds a bit battered -- mine is, too, and I'm not super happy
about that. I have a missing strut in the cooling vent, a sloppy hinge
and letters missing in the Lenovo logo on the lid. (1st and last are
trivial, but annoying.)

But it *was* only about €125.

Maybe I'll treat myself to a 520 as well. :-D

I really prefer the "classic" keyboards so I don't want newer
Thinkpads. If you don't mind, then no problem.

I hope at some point I can pick up an inexpensive used 25th Anniversary model .

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2018/04/the-25th-anniversary-thinkpad-every-laptop-should-add-some-retro-appeal/


> I also have questions to prepare the definitive installation, but those
> are for another thread.

Shoot!

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