Hi,

I’m looking for a laptop in the $200 - $400 mark (can be second hand) that has reasonable support for linux and also has a touchscreen.

Touchscreen will be mainly for scrolling.

I’m happy to do some stunts to get linux installed but I’m looking for something that supports it reasonable well.

Thanks for any suggestions!

  • DessalinesA
    4·
    3 years ago

    I have a more expensive linux laptop with a touchscreen, but I think it does make the battery life take a big hit, unlike android or chromeos. If I were to go for a touchscreen device, i might go with the lenovo chromebook duet. Cheap chromebook, great battery life, runs android apps, and you can install a linux subsystem.

    • jazzfesOP
      2·
      3 years ago

      Thanks, looked into this one as well. Can you replace the OS itself? I’d prefer running linux.

      The touchscreen is mostly an accessibility item for the person who will use it. I have a touchscreen on my work laptop, and don’t see much utility in it.

      • DessalinesA
        2·
        3 years ago

        I think you can, but the battery life takes a big hit when you do it.

    • bruhbeans
      2·
      3 years ago

      +1 to a Chromebook with the Linux VM. I don’t know why Chromebooks are so cheap when some of the hardware can be really premium. I got my HP Chromebook X2 2-3 years ago on sale for $330, it’s a beautiful machine with a better screen than laptops 3X the cost.

      • TheKernalBlog
        4·
        3 years ago

        A lot of the reason that you can get a Chromebook for around 100$ is that they don’t have to pay for a windows licence like other manufacturers.

        • TheKernalBlog
          4·
          3 years ago

          Also, Chromebooks have low profit margines so the price is even lower. They mostly survive on schools and small businesses buying Chromebooks.

  • jazzfesOP
    2·
    3 years ago

    At the moment looking at a Dell Venue 11 Pro (7130). Anyone has any experience running linux on it?

  • CarrotsHaveEars
    2·
    3 years ago

    Generally you don’t have to worry about installing Linux onto a laptop by any mainstream manufacturers. They’re built with well-supported components that would function great with any popular distros. The only problem is not many of the laptops has a touchscreen. So you just find one with a touchscreen.