<html> <head> <meta content="text/html; charset=windows-1252" http-equiv="Content-Type"> </head> <body bgcolor="#FFFFFF" text="#000000"> On 12/9/2015 7:47 AM, Douglas Pollard wrote: <blockquote cite="mid:20151209104708.2959f888cbdf814899829c8c@Gmail.com" type="cite"> <pre wrap="">I am presntly using a 2005 Dell 6000 with Navagatrix installed in Lubuntu for Navagtion and Ham radio control. It's a great set up for that purpose. I want to dual boot using what I now have plus Ubuntu 15.10 Mate for doing Video and enternet use. I don't feel I can spend over $400. I likley will buy one with windows 10 installed then remove Windows and install my dual boot Ubuntu and am wanting a machine that has hardwre compatable with Linux drivers. I would say a couple megabites of memory and at least 250 megs maybe 500 of hard drive space. I don't need a touch screen and 14 inch one would be a handy size for use on a boat. I am 81 years old so this will likely be my last laptop. Anybody have any sugestions? Thanks, Doug</pre> </blockquote> Yes. My suggestion is not to overlook refurbished equipment that may be one generation older, but stronger than comparably priced newer gear. For example, today I see Walmart is offering a "Refurbished Dell Black 14" Latitude E6420 Laptop PC with Core i5-2520M Processor, 8GB Memory, 750GB Hard Drive and Windows 7 Professional" (that's their advertising headline). As you may see from the specifications at the URL below, the Dell E6420 has a WiFi radio and a nice selection of ports, including a drive bay that can interchange a DVD drive, a floppy drive, or an extra battery. Concerning batteries, my guess is that the existing one is not so new, and another backup battery is likely a good idea. The screen on this one is only WXGA (1280 x 800), which is fine for most computing, but if you're looking for movie-quality graphics such as 1920 x 1080, you'll have to search further. Walmart is asking $283.21 for the unit. Here's a URL to the advertisement I am mentioning: <a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://tinyurl.com/zlcqsj9">http://tinyurl.com/zlcqsj9</a> I would not hesitate to add the 2-year care package onto the Walmart warranty, and a carrying case will come in handy right away. The Case Logic brand has a pretty good selection, and amazon.com seems to carry quite a few of them. I don't know if a battery backup unit makes any sense on a boat, but it does on land, so here's a reminder for that safety device, too, if you don't already have one ready at hand. Well, that's all I have to write at the moment, except to kid you just a little about mentioning megabytes a couple of times. That is so 1990s! Multiply by a thousand for modern memory levels, and even more for storage levels. This machine could have its hard drive replaced with a one or two terabyte solid state drive, though that's beyond the budget limit you set. Whether you choose a refurbished or a new unit, best regards. Ken <blockquote cite="mid:20151209104708.2959f888cbdf814899829c8c@Gmail.com" type="cite"> </blockquote> </body> </html>