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this post was submitted on 07 Aug 2023
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Have you looked at something like a Mac Mini or older MacBook? I have a 2008-era MacBook that Apple abandoned years ago, but it keeps up with modern Linux just fine. I don’t think they’re very expensive, and they’re workhorses.
I have a Mid-2012 model running linux, absolutely love the build quality and design despite the age. Performance is perfectly usable, just gets a bit loud doing some tasks
Part of my decision was also based on it being the last repairable model (swappable RAM, full size SSD) and Louis Rossmann having a wealth of repair videos on said model
Right, I was sorta under the impression macbooks were not meant to be taken apart hence no upgrades available, but I could be wayyy off there
Modern MacBooks are not meant to be opened. When Jobs still had a hand in designing them, RAM, HD, and battery were easily replaced. Opening the whole thing only involves removing a half dozen screws. It takes a small screwdriver and spudger, but it can be done on your dining room table. Parts are (or were) readily available at reasonable cost.
Very good to know. Are there certain models I should be looking at? Are some deemed "better" than others?
Honestly, I don't know. The last Mac I bought was for my kid's high school graduation about ten years ago. I only know that I'd steer clear of anything with "Air" in the name.
Yeaaaa that makes sense they are too compact and I figure it would be difficult working on one... Unless there's a different reason
No, too compact and hermetically sealed precisely to prevent the owner working on them is exactly the main reason I avoid any Apple "Air" product. I've lost my fanboy membership card since they started "iOS-ifying" their full computers, removing ports and optical drives, and breaking the right to repair.
Dude no not at all, I honestly never thought of getting an old macbook. That could be a great idea. Are there generations or models that are better or worse than others? Like I wouldn't know where to start, but I suppose something with good documentation and preferably a following or community would be best.
Anything from 2004(?) to 2020(?) is going to have an Intel processor. I’d do some research to find the last user-serviceable year, then get the best processor I could afford. Upgrade the RAM and internal drive to the biggest your Linux distro can handle.
While you’re at it, check out the forums at your distro’s website. I’d bet good money that someone has already worked out what you need and shared that info with the community. :)
Edit: typo - bloody autocorrect
Awesome man thanks! At this point though, I'm wondering if I should just replace the motherboard in the dell? I've seen a few of these USB c reinforcement brackets too, but not a whole lot of info out there. Then that way all I would need is a docking station and I'll never have to really rely on the two laptop ports and adapters and dongles, etc. And they should hypothetically remain safe, but idk. What do you think?
Sounds like a good idea. I own a couple of Dells, but I don't work on them very much (although that may change since my laptop keyboard seems to be dying). Someone around here surely knows about reinforcement brackets and docking ports.
If you're considering docking your laptop anyway, have you thought about getting a desktop case and fan so that you can repurpose your existing motherboard into a tower?