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Re: Best Desktop Computer for Linux Mint

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On 22/03/2021 22:08, Andrew wrote:
> Johnny wrote:
>>
>>
>> I have always used HP computers, then I got one with UEFI settings
>> instead of a legacy BIOS.  I didn't think I would ever get Linux Mint
>> installed on it.  I finally did get it installed, but it was a pain.
>>
>> I would like to try another brand of computer, like Asus, Lenovo, Acer
>> or some other brand.
>>
>> Anyone know which brand is more compatible with a Linux operating
>> system?
>>
> 
> Are you looking to set up dual boot or do you just want to run Linux on
> it?  I got my "main machine" new, three years ago from a local shop.  It
> is an AMD.
> An SSD for the OS stuff (although I don't keep /var on it) and a
> rotating disk for stuff like /home.

That's good advice - /if/ you are using a very small and cheapo SSD from
at least 10 years ago.

Otherwise, you need to be malicious or have a very specialised use-case
to have any hope of causing wear problems on your SSD.  If it is a
particularly cheapo device, you could conceivably have measurable
slowdown when it is nearing full.  The solution there is to leave a
small partition (5 GB, for example) unallocated when you partition the
blank disk - that gives you extra flash overprovisioning on the disk,
and ensures there is always free space for efficient writing and garbage
collection.

(Of course, if you have a big /home and need to be cost-effective, then
spinning rust gives you more space for your dollar, and you pick your
tradeoffs.  But it is badly outdated, if it was ever right at all, to
think that SSD's are unsuitable for files that are written often.)

>  It came without an OS installed and
> I set it up with UEFI.  The advantage of a decent "Generic PC" is that
> the manufacturer won't have added anything weird and generic which could
> cause Linux problems.  Ryzens are old enough now that a current
> distribution can handle them.

Once you have the basics right - the choice of 32-bit or 64-bit, x86 or
ARM, etc. - then any distribution will work fine with any cpu.  There
may be details in the power saving modes and that kind of thing.

> I have had problems with Nvidia graphics and tend to go for AMD.

If you are happy with non-free drivers and a modern Linux (like the
latest Mint), then Nvidia is usually a better choice than AMD.  If you
prefer open source drivers, then you might want AMD.  If you are not
into 3D gaming, heavy graphics programs or GPU-accelerated code, then
either will be absolutely fine, including the integrated GPU on some
modern Intel or AMD cpus.

> The problem at the moment is that it is not a good time to be buying a
> PC - they are pretty scarce on the ground and correspondingly expensive.

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Thread

Best Desktop Computer for Linux Mint Johnny <johnny@invalid.net> - 2021-03-22 14:58 -0500
  Re: Best Desktop Computer for Linux Mint Bobbie Sellers <bliss@mouse-potato.com> - 2021-03-22 13:20 -0700
    Re: Best Desktop Computer for Linux Mint Johnny <johnny@invalid.net> - 2021-03-22 15:46 -0500
      Re: Best Desktop Computer for Linux Mint Zebee Johnstone <zebeej@gmail.com> - 2021-03-23 00:35 +0000
  Re: Best Desktop Computer for Linux Mint Andrew <Doug@hyperspace.vogon.gov> - 2021-03-22 22:08 +0100
    Re: Best Desktop Computer for Linux Mint Johnny <johnny@invalid.net> - 2021-03-22 16:20 -0500
    Re: Best Desktop Computer for Linux Mint David Brown <david.brown@hesbynett.no> - 2021-03-23 08:30 +0100
  Re: Best Desktop Computer for Linux Mint David Brown <david.brown@hesbynett.no> - 2021-03-23 08:22 +0100
    Re: Best Desktop Computer for Linux Mint Scott Alfter <scott@alfter.diespammersdie.us> - 2021-03-24 16:24 +0000
      Re: Best Desktop Computer for Linux Mint Henrik Carlqvist <Henrik.Carlqvist@deadspam.com> - 2021-03-24 20:43 +0000
  Re: Best Desktop Computer for Linux Mint Marc Haber <mh+usenetspam1118@zugschl.us> - 2021-03-23 09:50 +0100
    Re: Best Desktop Computer for Linux Mint David Brown <david.brown@hesbynett.no> - 2021-03-23 11:13 +0100
      Re: Best Desktop Computer for Linux Mint Aragorn <thorongil@telenet.be> - 2021-03-23 11:59 +0100
        Re: Best Desktop Computer for Linux Mint David Brown <david.brown@hesbynett.no> - 2021-03-23 15:07 +0100
          Re: Best Desktop Computer for Linux Mint "David W. Hodgins" <dwhodgins@nomail.afraid.org> - 2021-03-23 13:19 -0400
            Re: Best Desktop Computer for Linux Mint David Brown <david.brown@hesbynett.no> - 2021-03-24 10:04 +0100
              Re: Best Desktop Computer for Linux Mint "David W. Hodgins" <dwhodgins@nomail.afraid.org> - 2021-03-24 05:36 -0400
      Re: Best Desktop Computer for Linux Mint Marc Haber <mh+usenetspam1118@zugschl.us> - 2021-03-23 13:46 +0100
        Re: Best Desktop Computer for Linux Mint David Brown <david.brown@hesbynett.no> - 2021-03-23 15:08 +0100
          Re: Best Desktop Computer for Linux Mint Marc Haber <mh+usenetspam1118@zugschl.us> - 2021-03-23 16:30 +0100
      Re: Best Desktop Computer for Linux Mint Henrik Carlqvist <Henrik.Carlqvist@deadspam.com> - 2021-03-23 19:40 +0000
        Re: Best Desktop Computer for Linux Mint David Brown <david.brown@hesbynett.no> - 2021-03-24 10:12 +0100
          Re: Best Desktop Computer for Linux Mint Henrik Carlqvist <Henrik.Carlqvist@deadspam.com> - 2021-03-24 20:55 +0000
        Re: Best Desktop Computer for Linux Mint Andrew <Doug@hyperspace.vogon.gov> - 2021-03-24 11:31 +0100
          Re: Best Desktop Computer for Linux Mint "David W. Hodgins" <dwhodgins@nomail.afraid.org> - 2021-03-24 11:20 -0400
        Re: Best Desktop Computer for Linux Mint Johnny <johnny@invalid.net> - 2021-03-24 07:49 -0500
          Re: Best Desktop Computer for Linux Mint Adrian Caspersz <email@here.invalid> - 2021-03-24 14:01 +0000
            Re: Best Desktop Computer for Linux Mint Johnny <johnny@invalid.net> - 2021-03-24 10:02 -0500
  Re: Best Desktop Computer for Linux Mint Scott Alfter <scott@alfter.diespammersdie.us> - 2021-03-24 16:05 +0000
    Re: Best Desktop Computer for Linux Mint Bobbie Sellers <bliss@mouse-potato.com> - 2021-03-24 11:46 -0700

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