Would appreciate advice buying a laptop to install Zorin

Hi I'm new here. I need to buy a 2H laptop. I've done a lot of research on distros and Zorin is my pic. My use is basic office tasks, content consumption and research. I have used both Windows and Mac. Does Zorin work well on Intel Macs or better on Windows. I've researched on Reddit and YT. I know there is comprehensive help info on this site for installation, system requirements etc but I would appreciate any pointers or experience with Mac or Windows. I know there are some great Zorin ready laptops to buy but they are bit too much for my budget. TYIA.

When you have an old laptop the best is to install Zorin there for first experiences with Linux. It's often a bit more difficult to install Zorin on Mac than on Window computers. Many computers are not specially made for Linux and because of this sometimes some devices don't work because of missing drivers.
The best is to create a Zorin boot stick and test it on the laptop in "Try Zorin" mode to see which devices are detected and work.
New up-to-date hardware often doesn't work well on Linux because the drivers are not yet included.
If you don't need the newest hardware and only want to install Zorin on the computer, you could also buy a used business notebook.

You can also take a look here which notebooks are ubuntu certified:

https://ubuntu.com/certified/laptops

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Get a laptop with Radeon/AMD card if you have that option. Less headache as Nvidia driver to their laptop card can be tedious.

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Welcome to the Forum!

I would agree with @Storm here and suggest to take something with AMD because the Drivers are already included in the Kernel. And if You don't have the newest Hardware, it should work out of the Box.

I never used Mac's, so this is not a neutral Opinion but I would look for a Windows PC because You can go in the BIOS and set it up properly with Secure Boot and Fast Boot.

Your Use Case:

doesn't sound like You would need High End Hardware. So, 16Gig's of RAM and a 6-Core CPU should be enough. Maybe an AMD APU with integrated Graphics could be fine I think.

And how is Your Budget?

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I have 3 different models of 3-5 years old Fujitsu Notebooks running Kubuntu and Zorin without any probs.

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Re budget, I would consider up to 1k (AUD) for a laptop but for fairly basic use needs that may be overkill. I'm fine with 2H.

Thanks heaps for your replies (everyone), this is such helpful advice :grinning_face:

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If budget is not a problem I would look at Zorin's Computer links for dedicated GNU/Linux hardware. If budget is an issue try and get hold of an old Dell Latitude off secondhand online marketplace. I upgraded a Dell Latitude E5500 to 8 Gb RAM, 1 Tb SSD, replaced CMOS Battery and upgraded optical drive from DVD/CDR to DVD/RW.

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Hardware is expensive these Days ... So, it might not so much overkill as You think. But maybe something like the Lenovo IdeaPad or ThinkPad Line or ASUS Vivobook Line could be worth a Look.

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My ASUS Zenbook died a little while ago and I needed to replace it around the time I switched to Zorin. I found some advice on one video that said to look for a company that will also ship their computers with linux. For laptops the Lenovo range came with an option for linux so I chose a refurbed X1 Thinkpad from 3 or 4yrs ago. Under NZ$500 and looks like new. They can also be repaired and upgraded fairly easily. I have been very happy with it.

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They have PCs for sale here, lol. But otherwise try to avoid most MediaTek WiFi cards and Snapdragon CPUs, and as others have said, stick with AMD or Intel.

There are lots of sub AUD$1000 pc's on Ebay Australia
eg. This Lenovo Thinkpad Carbon 32gb ram and 256 SSD AUD$828 just upgrade the SSD to larger capacity and fresh install Zorin and it will be a "bewdy mate" :kangaroo: :smiley:

edit: Welcome matey

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Lenovo ThinkPad or Framework

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I'm running Zorin on an 8 year old Thinkpad X1 with 8gb RAM and a 256gb SSD with no problems at all.

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Where did you buy your X1 from? I've looked at laptops with Linux in Australia and they are pricey. I'd be happy with refurbed laptop

Good on ya mate (lol)

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I'm very happy with my two refurbed business notebooks (Dell latitudes). I bought them in internet from a refurbisher company.
New laptops with linux are very expensive.

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Have been checking out X1 Carbon, T14 G3, Elitebooks and Latitudes. I'm not sure about the quality of ASUS.

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Avoid in my opinion. I'm using an ASUS laptop, bought new in 2020, Intel Core 3 with 20gb ram. It came with linux pre-installed however I changed it to another distro then never used it not once. I put it in a cupboard and fished it out beginning of 2024 so literally brand new still and ... Keyboard was kaput even though it had never been used, by years end the screen began to play up, bottom half going white so physical problem not software, shutting the lid and reopening a few times usually fixed it however about 3 weeks ago the bottom half of the screen went white permanently. I bought an external monitor and continue to use this piece of junk (much better experience on a larger monitor is a bonus) so IMHO avoid it like it's the plague.

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I endorse Thinpads, most of them can have storage added, cheap to buy used, e.g. T480. I am running Zorin 17.3 and 18 on T450S, 12GB and 2 x 500GB drives.

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