Hi friends, I could use your input!
My mom has asked me to install Linux on her laptop, which distro should I pick?

- Dell Latitude 7320 Intel Core i7-Gen 11 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD
- Has to be stable, good hardware support
- Sysadmin tasks will be performed (remotely) by me, so doesn't have to be "beginner friendly" per se in that area (she won't be added to the wheel group 😅)
- Support for Xfce desktop (I guess most distros have that)
- Ideally support for encrypted root on ZFS

No: Ubuntu, Fedora, RHEL (or derivatives) please.

Given my recent fascination, I'd go with FreeBSD, but I'm afraid the hardware support isn't quite there yet. Voting and boosts are appreciated!

What should I pick?

#Linux #LaptopLinux #Poll #Debian #VoidLinux #AlpineLinux #ArchLinux

Update: I've found a (hopefully) good deal for a T14 gen 2 i5-1135G7 16GB RAM. Fingers crossed, I'll post an update.

Question for all the #Thinkpad fans: I'm thinking of buying a laptop and I remember from many years ago, that I liked the red trackpoint thingy a lot, also I love the design and reparability, so I figured I'd join the (secondhand) #thinkpad club!

Now, I've spent a lot of time poring over https://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/ThinkPad_History and similar pages, but still have a few questions:

* In terms of build quality, it seems I should get a T, P or X. But L, E models are sold much more frequently secondhand. Is there really that much of a difference that I should avoid those? E.g. are they much more prone to break etc.

* I'm looking to buy something that's a few years old, but snappy enough for my needs (Linux, web browsing, web development with go, some light photo editing, video conferencing). I'm thinking about a T14, gen 1 or 2 with an i5 or i7, 16GB RAM. Or could I go older, should I look for something newer?

I'm looking for 14 inch but would be open to 13 or 15 if that's a much better option. I don't think I need a dedicated GPU. It should support Linux and be easily repairable. I don't care either way if it has a touchscreen. Budget is anywhere between 200 - 400 euros (secondhand/refurbished).

So, given my wishes, would you go for a T14 gen 1/2 or something else?

Any advice (or boosts) are appreciated!

#laptoplinux

#AskFedi #LaptopLinux best system to load on a Dell Latitude 7490 which has Windows OS (10, I think) after a fresh factory reset.
This one's so old it still has a mechanical hard drive in it. All I've heard of is Mint, so please fill my ear about other versions and what's what in detail, thanks. #newbie to Linux although I've had a class in Unix a bazillion years ago.