Computer to play with Linux Mint 17

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I like to play with computers, not just use them. I learn from it. The last time I tried Linux, it was Ubuntu 10. Now I’d like to try Mint 17. I’ve run it from a DVD on one of my newer computers, but I’d rather install it on one of my “spares”, and for space reasons, a laptop. I have a 2005 Dell laptop that I rarely use anymore, actually wiping it clean and re-installed XP. I tried to install Mint (as a dual boot), but it tells me I can’t, because “PAE is disabled on this Pentium M”.
I can’t see buying a new computer, so I’m looking for a used one. I’ve had problems with used laptops via eBay (no kidding!) and flea markets (ditto!) so I’m considering a refurbished unit from Newegg. But the thought occurred to me about new Chromebooks- would they support Linux systems? I’m guessing “no”. Am I right? Why?

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Lots of hits on Google for “install Mint on Chromebook”.
It would be worth finding how to image the disk first, so you could return ChromeOS if you wanted to.
Or just put in a brand new disk?

BATcher

Plethora means a lot to me.

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I’d be attracted to the price tag for a brand new laptop, not the Chrome operating system; no use for that. I was thinking it may be unsuitable because of reasons similar to a Windows 8 RT machine.

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Most processors made since 1995 support PAE. The Wikipedia article specifically mentions Pentium M as one that does not. Core 2 duo does, and you can get some good laptops such as Lenovo t61 or Dell d630/d830 for $100 to $200 dollars.

I have Linux Mint 17 Qiana running on a Dell Optiplex 755 with a Core 2 Quad processor, and also as a virtual machine on VMware Player.

Some Linux distributions can be installed on some Chromebooks. Linux Mint 16, Ubuntu 14.04, and Bodhi can be installed on an Acer c720, Ubuntu can be installed on an HP 14 inch Chromebook.

You mentioned Linux Mint 17, I didn’t find an install for that, but it’s probably coming soon. Just make sure before you buy a Chromebook, that you know what, if any, distribution can be installed on it, and look for a blog that has comments from people who have tried it, and succeeded in installing it.

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I just got a 3 year old refurbished Dell Latitude E6410 from Newegg for $209 that looks and works perfectly. I installed Linux Mint 17, dual boot, partitioning the HD in half. It seems to be working fine. Now I’ll have some fun spending time trying to figure out how certain things are done, so I guess I’m all set.

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Dell Latitude E6410

Good Choice. Which Processor?

Linux Mint 17

Cinnamon or Mate?

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I went with Cinnamon.
It’s got an i5-540M but only 2GB RAM – easily fixed, of course. The geek in me really got excited to see the entire back cover comes off with the removal of just two screws.

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Good Choice. Which Processor?
Cinnamon or Mate?

Please be advised that “Cinnamon” and “Mate” are called “Desktops” in Linux. And, there are many others.

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I have a similar generation laptop (Dell Latitude D600), with the PAE problem, on which I am successfully running Linux Mint 17 and also other Ubuntu-derived distros. It’s actually got much easier with the most recent releases (Mint 17 and Ubuntu 14.04) as there is now a parameter ‘forcepae’ that you can add to the command line when you start your installation.

Have a look at https://help.ubuntu.com/community/PAE for further details.

I actually prefer Lubuntu to Mint for such elderly hardware. The other challenge I had with Linux on my laptop was getting the drivers for the Broadcom wireless adapter to install. There are various online resources which address this. I found http://tech.rickumali.com/blog/2012/02/04/making-wireless-work-dell-d600-ubuntu very useful.

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I picked up a Dell D630 from Tigerdirect a while back coming off-lease For about $250. While I didn’t put Mint with Cinnamon on it (I did burn an .iso disc and did a live CD check just to see) and then upgraded from XP to Windows 7, the upgrade did take well. I did put the Mint on a netbook: Acer Aspire D150 after doing the live CD to ensure proper working. Works nice.

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This is why I won’t buy any computer that has a Broadcom chip. Just too much trouble to get it working.

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http://www.mepiscommunity.org/node/67 If you still want to use the old laptop you may want to try MX-14. It has a non-PAE version. It works great on older hardware.
Also SolydX 32 should work. It is very similat to Linux Mint’s Debian edition, but kept updated better. Here is a link to a discussion on their forum.
http://forums.solydxk.com/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=3951&p=37123&hilit=pae#p37123

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Linux Mint 13 Cinnamon 32-bit is working for me on a Dell Inspiron 700m with Centrino and wouldn’t support newer versions that need the PAE. Apparently the Centrino part is a stumbling block with older Notebooks. I do have Linux Mint 17 Cinnamon 64-bit on an HP Notebook and a Dell Optiplex Desktop.

Before you wonder "Am I doing things right," ask "Am I doing the right things?"

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Maybe it can be more practical to install the Mint on USB flash drive and thoroughly test it firstly on Chromebook? The specifics of Chromebook may outnumber the benefits of its modest price.

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It’s been a few months now since I’ve had Mint running on the Dell laptop. In the meantime, since I already had Windows 7 on a few other computers, I re-did this one. I got a deal on a Windows 8.1 disk, so I wiped the HD, installed W8, then installed Mint on a smaller partition than before. So now it’s got two OS to try out. I was a Windows 8 hater since I tried the Consumer Preview, but after installing Classic Shell and eliminating the need to log in every time, I can honestly say it’s ok now. I could live with it. I don’t have a lot of time to play with Mint, but my two impressions are- 1) I think it’s for geeks 2) I could get bored with it.

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