(Part 2) Top products from r/linuxhardware

Sure, here's a super cheap SSD of equivalent capacity:

SanDisk SSD PLUS 240GB Internal SSD - SATA III 6 Gb/s, 2.5"/7mm - SDSSDA-240G-G26

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01F9G43WU/

If you want to get a different SSD, just make sure it's a 2.5in SATA. I like SanDisk, Samsung and Intel brand SSD's.

Here's a 4gb Stick that should be compatible (don't hold me to that, and make sure you can return it if it isn't):

Lenovo 55Y3711 RAM Module - 4 GB - DDR3 SDRAM - 1333MHz DDR3-1333/PC3-10600 - ECC - 204-pin SoDIMM

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003BC5ZBI/

That will get you up to 8GB or 6GB, depending on if it comes with 1 4gb or 2 2gb sticks. Either will be better than 4.

And here's some generic info and resources I like to give new Linux users:

The biggest change from the Windows world will be the different interfaces to choose from. While they're one of the best features of Linux, the number of choices and strong opinions on the matter can be overwhelming to new users. And everyone in the community is certain that theirs is the best. Don't stress out about picking the "right" one. You can always change it later (especially if you choose something Ubuntu based). Pick one that has a large user base, good community, and excellent documentation.

Linux comes in many different flavors, or "Distributions". Often shortened to "Distros". The most obvious difference between Distros is the interface (or "Desktop Environment" or "DE"). It's not the only thing that sets them apart, but it's the most noticeable.

I would recommend Ubuntu or any one of it's variants. The best variants (in my opinion) are Linux mint and Linux Lite. Linux Lite having the most "Windows like" interface. Linux Lite also has additional tools to install common programs that Windows users are accustomed to. Ones that don't come with other Distros by default.

Until recently Ubuntu used an interface called "Unity". As of the last couple of releases, they have switched to Gnome. However, they've made gnome look a lot like Unity, so you should be able to follow instructions you find on the internet without too much trouble.

Gnome has a ton of customizations available via the "Gnome extensions" website. If you're willing to relearn how to interact with your computer's interface, it's a good fit for someone who wants customization.

Here's a good article with the basics of getting up and running with Ubuntu.

https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/migrating-from-windows-7-to-ubuntu/

Here's Ubuntu's website for downloading and documentation:

https://www.ubuntu.com/desktop

The official "Getting starting" guide:

https://tutorials.ubuntu.com/tutorial/try-ubuntu-before-you-install#0

Here's the list of official Ubuntu Distributions:

https://www.ubuntu.com/download/flavours

Here's a great article explaining the difference between the official Ubuntu Distribution (written by an awesome Redditor Killyourfm):

"Forbes: Linux For Beginners: Understanding The Many Versions Of Ubuntu":
https://www.forbes.com/sites/jasonevangelho/2018/11/28/linux-for-beginners-understanding-the-many-versions-of-ubuntu/

Here's the official install guide:

https://tutorials.ubuntu.com/tutorial/tutorial-install-ubuntu-desktop#0

An install guide for Dual Booting:

http://linuxiumcomau.blogspot.com/2018/04/installing-ubuntu-along-side-windows-ie.html?m=1

And here's Linux Lite's official page:

https://www.linuxliteos.com

Gnome extensions:

https://extensions.gnome.org

Like /u/ulgreswo, I used a different card; the Xonar DG. In my case, it did work under linux alright, but I'd always have to tamper with a setting under alsamixer in the terminal to get it to output sound on any fresh install of linux. Not sure if the DGX would be any different in that regard.

Also the audio-quality wasn't really all that spectacular, as I would still get buzzing and beeps due to interference from the LAN port.

In the end, I sold it and instead replaced it with this external USB DAC (Digital to Analog Converter), which was very affordable, and put out excellent sound. This particular DAC interested me due to the well written review on the Amazon page from Jayteck, where he describes replacing the capacitors on the board for even better sound quality. I followed the instructions contained in the comments, and found that it does indeed sound quite superb when these modifications are done (though it sounded better than the Xonar DG even without the mod).

Alternatively, I've also read great things on various audio enthusiast forums about this Behringer DAC, which is also quite affordable.

Due to using USB, both of those DAC's are plug-n-play with Linux, and require absolutely no configuration to get working. The only potential downside is that they do not have microphone inputs, and only output stereo audio.

A few tips:

1. You do not have to use Clevo Control Center. Obsidian PC has developed a utility for that, Control Station, which you can fetch here. You can reach the developer on NBR for more info on the tools, and the threads there concerning these facilities.
   
2. For Linux, you could use Tuxedo's fan control and keyboard backlight utilities. If you need help setting that up, I'd be glad to help. See this and these gists on how I set up these tools on my former Eurocom Q6, based on the Clevo P955ER chassis.
   
3. For thermals, a repaste will do. Personal recommendation: Use Phobya Nanogrease Extreme. It's composition (and viscosity) renders it the same advantages of the likes of Gelid GC Extreme, and is easy to apply. The longevity is also quite outstanding. One to avoid: The HeGrease variant. Its' garbage.
   
4. On BIOS and EC firmware: If you're considering a Clevo system in your purchase, get it from one of the Premamod Partners, such as XoticPC. The advantages of the Prema BIOS mods are self explanatory, including access to advanced BIOS settings and in-BIOS voltage controls (such as under-volting).

$1000 means midrange new or high end used. Unfortunately, the WQHD requirement is your big constraint here. That's still a premium feature, so it's not available in new mid-range devices in your price range. That leaves you with high-end used devices. I'd consider looking at some 1080p devices too, since that would widen your options drastically.

A refurb Thinkpad X1 Carbon is probably the nicest Linux laptop out there, with high quality construction, light weight, decent battery life and a usable keyboard.

Going any lighter than the X1 means compromising on the keyboard with inconveniently short key travel.

Heavier than the X1 there's a lot of perfectly good options. Thinkpad T/X series machines are good in general. Dell Latitudes can be nice, and the Precision series should be fine too, if you really want that desktop replacement feel.

Bigger than that you get into chunky 15" devices with numpads and/or discrete graphics. I haven't paid enough attention to that segment to have opinions.

> Throw any strange thing you can at me.

The first thing I thought of was the Sharp Wizard OZ-770. A PDA of yore. Best small keyboard I have ever used and I have used many. I still miss this PDA. Battery life (a couple of AAs) was insane - I'm talking monthly with extensive use. Terrible suggestion, just wanted to give this device a shoutout:-)

A more reasonable suggestion would be a 7" Android Laptop as far as "low power, light weight and affordable" goes. Goes without saying: read the reviews.

You also have the Zagg Autofit Folio Case that will turn (nearly) any 7" Android Tablet into a laptop. I have the 10" version - keyboard isn't that great (keys just feel cramped) but love having my tablet actually behave like a real laptop, plus the Android specific buttons are fantastic.

Bunch of older clamshell devices running through my head right now but I think they're more trouble than they're worth in terms of sharing local data, connecting to other devices, keyboard issues, Windows CE (limited), etc.

Nice find!
That was very... "entertaining" read. Sadly I already had Legacy USB disabled in UEFI setup. I am definitely going to check the mentioned usb mailing list later.

The thread also references it being used on a laptop, which throws in a sizable chunk of power management quirks and BIOS hacks, on top of it being ExpressCard device. I have PCIe x1 desktop card, but by pure luck I have same ExpressCard controller. I'll grab some spare SSD and drop Linux on my laptop later to see if issue exists there.

Just for the sake of completness I forced mentioned pcihp, but I am not going to rip out the card from my mobo

I am very, very close to abandoning this device altogether. But... you mentioned libvirtd and vfio, which happens to be my use case too, and yours works. Would you mind sharing some details? Whether the guest is linux or Windows, or does the hotplug works? In my case, the guest is also Linux, which just escalates the issue one level deeper, since power cycling the machine is a lot of hassle already.

You also dropped another gem in form of Fresco Logic - I think I recognize this company from its USB to VGA adapters, but you say they also make USB controller chips? I believe I have seen only VIA and Renesas solutions before (there's Intel too, but their design is internally based on Renesas one) What are your experiences with these?

edit: Found this one for $12, it doesn't have 19-pin internal connector, sadly, but as long as it works.

edit2: Orico makes Fresco 2+2 adapter :)

edit3: Well, Orico states Fresco is not compatible with MacOS and Linux, and suggests a SKU with VLI chip.

edit4: The ExpressCard behaves like a drunken madman, even in Windows. Like depending when I insert it to the system, it gets detected or not, throws PCIe errors or not, detects devices or not, but even if it works, it overheats quickly (i.e. when copying to USB SSD) and shuts down, disappearing until next power cycle. (including removing battery). I gave up trying to check it under Linux.

then https://www.linuxtv.org/wiki/index.php/Hauppauge_WinTV-HVR-955Q
looks to be baked right in the kernel these days

but to be honest wouldnt something like https://www.amazon.com/SuperSonic-Portable-Widescreen-Display-Compatible/dp/B00DTZNCCQ be easier to work with and yes a couple bucks cheaper?
computers are for pr0n and tvs are for watching tv

Not controlled by the OS but I got these and it works nicely AC Infinity CONTROLLER 2, Fan Thermostat and Speed Controller, controls AIRPLATE, MULTIFAN, USB fans and devices, for AV Cabinet Cooling https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NG9TSG4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_LCzQBbB5J88HJ

And the AC Infinity S5 fans.

Modmic is good and works well, I'd expect any 3.5mm jack mic to work but some USB ones might have issues.

This is an amazing mic and it's crazy cheap. Not quite as good as the modmic but it holds up by fair in price-performance.

Others have stated that TP-Link is a good bet, personnally i have 5 or 6 of these on my various machines at home, works out of the box every time (tested on Debian, Ubuntu, Arch, Raspbian).

The 1st generation Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Tablet seems to be mostly working out-of-the-box, and fits the requirements you've listed. I haven't had any personal experience with the device though, and have no idea whether the 2017 (2nd gen) iteration and (or the upcoming 2018 iteration) will be compatible or otherwise.

If you want something with more reports of favourable Linux compatability, there's also the Lenovo Thinkpad X230T, though that's an old model that leans closer to the 'convertible laptop' design (keyboard is attached, monitor swivels around). The ArchWiki and Linux Laptop wiki provide a decent amount of information regarding what works or doesn't work with the laptop (most of which is pretty much out-of-the-box, with a few features requiring specific packages). You can probably find a used X230T for cheap online.

I can't say to that particular mic, (holy cow that looks cheesy) but I can say that the Samson GoMic condenser works fine in Linux natively, and sounds fan-bloody-tastic.

https://www.amazon.com/Samson-Mic-Portable-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B001R76D42

$127.99 Intel NUC NUC5CPYH

Has VGA, HDMI, 3x USB 3.0 (wtf is that yellow port?), 2x 2.5mm Headphone Jack.

$38.79 8GB RAM for Intel NUC (it doesn't come with any RAM)

$39.99 PNY CS311 120GB (it doesn't come with any drives)

Total: $206.77

Intel Celeron N3050, the NUC's CPU. Dual Core w/o Hyperthreading, max 8GB RAM, Burst (NOT Turbo) to 2.16GHz. Has VT-x, but no VT-d. 64bit.

Disclaimer: The only mini-PC I know of is this NUC, someone else can probably find even cheaper or with better hardware than I can here.

I've never had an issue with Edimax adapters (example), although I've not bought one in a quite some time.

Anything that works with a RasPi should also be fine.

This one. Works EVERY time.
Buy 4.

I use this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MY9EVHI

With one of these for my desktop: https://www.amazon.com/Orange-Juice-Wireless-Converter-Bluetooth/dp/B0789DXJJP

I use this with Ubuntu GNOME daily. No config or software installation was necessary.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003MTTJOY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_-oU8yb19MESCZ

This one works for me with no additional drivers, using Linux Mint Kernel 3.13.


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JDVRCI0/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00429N18S/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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As far as the data you've already lost - I can't tell you how to recover it. But I would remove the drive from the computer until you have a plan.

Get this up to date:

https://pcsupport.lenovo.com/us/en/products/LAPTOPS-AND-NETBOOKS/THINKPAD-X-SERIES-LAPTOPS/THINKPAD-X250/downloads/DS102288

https://pcsupport.lenovo.com/us/en/products/LAPTOPS-AND-NETBOOKS/THINKPAD-X-SERIES-LAPTOPS/THINKPAD-X250/downloads/DS119349

https://pcsupport.lenovo.com/us/en/products/LAPTOPS-AND-NETBOOKS/THINKPAD-X-SERIES-LAPTOPS/THINKPAD-X250/downloads/DS038904

Then,

http://tipsonubuntu.com/2018/11/18/quick-tip-improve-battery-life-ubuntu-18-04-higher/

https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2016/04/improve-battery-life-linux

And lastly, your battery could just suck.

https://www.amazon.com/Lenovo-ThinkPad-Manufacturer-0C52862-Extended/dp/B00KOHS6UK

https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/accessories-and-monitors/chargers-and-batteries/batteries/BATT-BO-Thinkpad-Battery-68/p/0C52862