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Geek Culture / I Want To Build/Buy A Super-Cheap Laptop

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Libervurto
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Posted: 22nd Aug 2013 02:58
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I basically want this so that I can procrastinate on the forums while sitting outside.

I want a really basic, but fast, lightweight computer. It doesn't have to do any 3D, I just want it for web-browsing, text editing and a bit of lightweight programming. The ability to play video would be an advantage.

Any ideas where I could find something like that for less than £50? I don't mind buying used, and I will be installing a lightweight GNU/Linux distro, such as PuppyLinux.



The gluteus-maximus mammary-gland formally known as OBese87.
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Dark Java Dude 64
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Posted: 22nd Aug 2013 03:49
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Eh, it won't fulfill your programming needs, but it's a start! Seems uber crappy, though.
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Aaron Miller
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Playing: osu!
Posted: 22nd Aug 2013 03:55 Edited at: 22nd Aug 2013 03:57
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My current laptop is a Lenovo ThinkPad T60~. Has dual core 1.83GHz Intel processor, SM3 capable graphics (some ATI Radeon), 2GB RAM, and runs Linux perfectly. It's currently used as a media center and can play Minecraft. I got it on eBay for $150 (£95.55) a couple years ago.

You may be able to find a similar deal.

Edit: Why not grab a cheap Android tablet that supports a keyboard? DroidEdit will fulfill the programming needs, and it should definitely be able to play video. It'll likely also be more portable. However, it won't run traditional GNU/Linux, just the locked down Android version. So it's understandable if that's a deal breaker.

Web - Tweets
“Typing is no substitution for thinking.”
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bitJericho
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Posted: 22nd Aug 2013 04:20
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You might be able to find a celeron powered laptop that cheap. Make sure you buy something with a decent video card so you can watch youtube.

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Phaelax
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Posted: 22nd Aug 2013 05:17
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Quote: "My current laptop is a Lenovo ThinkPad T60"

I've worked on a lot of those at an old job.


I know laptops are pretty cheap these days, but not £50 cheap! Cheapest Chromebook is more than twice that. Then there's this Android laptop running an A8 chip for £90.

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Seditious
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Posted: 22nd Aug 2013 05:59
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You can get a tablet PC for £50 but it'll be designed in China, so, yeah.
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Libervurto
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Posted: 22nd Aug 2013 06:18
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Thanks for the suggestions.
I found a ThinkPad with 128MB pre-populated RAM? What does that mean? Can I remove the pre-populated RAM and replace it with a larger card?



The gluteus-maximus mammary-gland formally known as OBese87.
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Dark Java Dude 64
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Posted: 22nd Aug 2013 06:20
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Eeeeeh, something says that means it's soldered in there or at least permanent to some degree, Lenovo has indeed done that with their lower end laptops before.
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Libervurto
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Posted: 22nd Aug 2013 06:49 Edited at: 22nd Aug 2013 07:05
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Quote: "Eeeeeh, something says that means it's soldered in there or at least permanent to some degree"

That's what I feared. The guy selling it has removed the HDD and caddy, so I'm sure he wouldn't leave any spare RAM floating around.

I think I will check out the local charity shops and read up a bit on hardware before I buy anything.



The gluteus-maximus mammary-gland formally known as OBese87.
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Van B
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Posted: 22nd Aug 2013 09:45
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You'd be better off asking around if anyone has an old laptop with a smashed screen, smashed keyboard, or smashed something that you could fix for around £50.

The other option would be to ask anyone you know in the IT field - they might have an old laptop that is worthless to them, but might just do what you need it to.

I am the one who knocks...
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The Wilderbeast
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Posted: 22nd Aug 2013 09:50
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The Thinkpad X40s had embedded RAM (256MB in my case), and an extra slot for more. Don't worry about the GPU if you don't plan on doing *any* 3D with it, even a 1.4GHz Pentium M is capable of 720p YouTube playback.

You get 500MB extra space on Dropbox... I get 500MB extra space on Dropbox

Everyone's happy!
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fallen one
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Posted: 23rd Aug 2013 22:17 Edited at: 23rd Aug 2013 22:17
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why not build one with one of those pi computer, buy the other parts fix em together, then make a case, there are companies that let you build your own stuff from CAD files, they use lazers or magic or something to make it then post it to you.


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Libervurto
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Posted: 24th Aug 2013 00:28 Edited at: 24th Aug 2013 01:35
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I've looked at the Pi but I would have to buy... hmm... I just remembered I have one of these that I never use:


hum-dee-hum...
I wonder if I took all the gubbings out I could fit a Pi in there.
I haven't done any electronics since high school, but this seems like it would be a fun project.

It's a Venturer PVS123 portable dvd player. There seems to be very little information about it online, and I can't find the manual.

I measure the screen to be 115mm (4.5"), 15:8 ratio, 315x168 resolution. Seems like an odd resolution to me but the pixels line up perfectly with my ruler lines.
Now to take the innards out and see if there is enough space inside...

[edit]
Stumbled across this project:

http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/raspberry-pi-computer-lab
For less than the cost of two MacBooks, an entire school can gain access to a computer lab for the first time.

Quote: "
Using low cost components and free software a fully functioning computer laboratory of ten computers can be set up in rural Swaziland, where many students currently make do without.
Establishing a Raspberry Pi computer lab will help to address the inequality my students are faced with on global and national levels. The Rapsberry Pi computer is appropriate for this campaign because it is inexpensive, uses very little electricity, will run Linux (reducing the need for costly proprietary software), and can even expose children to programming – an increasingly valuable skill in our increasingly digital world.
"




Formerly OBese87.
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Libervurto
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Posted: 25th Aug 2013 14:33 Edited at: 25th Aug 2013 15:43
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Anyone heard of the BeagleBone? It looks pretty good!


I've found a screen and keyboard. £31 for the pair.

RaspberryPi model-B is £28, BeagleBone is £32.



Formerly OBese87.
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Wolf
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Posted: 26th Aug 2013 01:40
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You should easily find something like this at yard sales, fleemarkets etc.

I sell LP's on these occasionally and see people sell 6 or so year old laptops for 20 € or less.

The issue with the internet is that its hard to find older tech stuff. Computer Hardware and rigs just seem to dissappear once they are outdated.



-Wolf

http://www.serygalacaffeine.com
"absurdity has become necessity"
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Dark Java Dude 64
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Posted: 26th Aug 2013 06:11
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I have... I have a children's learning laptop with all sorts of typing games installed on it and a guy who talks to you and a really cool 3 inch reflective LCD screen. I'd be more than happy to give that to you if you paid for the shipping!
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Libervurto
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Posted: 30th Aug 2013 17:14
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Why is it so hard to find the bloody resolution of a screen? You'd think it would be one of the first things to write about a screen!

My camera has stopped working. I've taken it apart but I doubt I will be able to fix it. It does have a rather nice 2.5 inch screen, which makes me wonder about making a handheld computer with the Pi and a wireless keyboard. Even if I can get the camera fixed it would be cool to splice it together with the pi to create a handheld pc/camera. That's a Pi in the sky idea though.



Formerly OBese87.
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Seditious
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Posted: 30th Aug 2013 19:30
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Have you tried gumtree.com? You can get some amazing deals on there from people that don't know the value of what they are selling.

http://www.gumtree.com/search?q=laptop&search_location=United+Kingdom&category=all&search_scope=title
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Libervurto
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Posted: 31st Aug 2013 01:01
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You weren't kidding. Wow, some bargains there!



Formerly OBese87.
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