On Wed, Aug 11, 2010 at 1:22 PM, Florin Iucha <florin at iucha.net> wrote: > On Wed, Aug 11, 2010 at 12:50:02PM -0500, Mike Miller wrote: >> We definitely want to run Linux (Ubuntu, preferably) and still have >> everything working properly. He might have to run Windows in a VM, or as >> a dual-boot setup, but I'm not sure about that (he's mostly concerned that >> he hasn't been able copy music files to his iPod Touch from Ubuntu, but >> I'll try some experiments here while he's visiting). >> >> Just thought I'd check here to see what kinds of tips and ideas you guys >> have. It's a tricky decision because of the trade-offs with price, power, >> battery-life, features, etc. We'd like to keep the price down to $600. > > I recommend a second-hand Thinkpad T series and a fresh battery. With > X-mas money he should get an SSD, as it does wonders on battery life and > on general performance. > > Cheers, > florin > > -- > Bruce Schneier expects the Spanish Inquisition. > http://geekz.co.uk/schneierfacts/fact/163 > > _______________________________________________ > TCLUG Mailing List - Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota > tclug-list at mn-linux.org > http://mailman.mn-linux.org/mailman/listinfo/tclug-list > > There's a place near the U of M campus that does used Thinkpads (full disclosure, they're my neighbor and I did their website): http://www.computermegamall.com I picked up a T61 that came with no visible use for about $600. I ended up upgrading the RAM and adding an SSD myself. The T series really can take a beating; it's a huge improvement over the Toshiba Tecra I replaced. -- Donovan Niesen