Kitz Forum
Computer Software => Linux => Topic started by: tickmike on July 18, 2016, 07:15:07 PM
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I'm just looking for a cheap secondhand laptop/notebook to take on holidays with me, it's got to be able to have Linux put on it.
Is there any way just looking at the 'processor specs' to tell if it will be ok for 64Bit OS ?, or does it have to say 32Bit or 64Bit or both ?.
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Almost all modern laptops/notebooks will have a 64-bit processor.
Certainly any of the Intel Core2Duo, Core2Quad, i3, i5, i7, etc, processors will be 64-bit.
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Plus most of the AMD processors.....
Stuart
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I suggest buying a chromebook if you are not against google (don't be evil) then unlocking the bootloader and install linux via crouton.
http://lifehacker.com/how-to-install-linux-on-a-chromebook-and-unlock-its-ful-509039343 (http://lifehacker.com/how-to-install-linux-on-a-chromebook-and-unlock-its-ful-509039343)
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Ok.
But the one I was looking at (HP 2133) has Win7 32Bit loaded, Does that say anything ?.
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Why does it matter if it's 32 or 64 bit?
If it's a 32 bit machine then you can load a 32 bit operating system. If it's a 64 bit machine then you can load a 32 bit or a 64 bit operating system.
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It really wasn't difficult, two searches later and it has a x86 (32 bit) CPU.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/HP_2133_Mini-Note_PC
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/VIA_C7
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Why does it matter if it's 32 or 64 bit?
If it's a 32 bit machine then you can load a 32 bit operating system. If it's a 64 bit machine then you can load a 32 bit or a 64 bit operating system.
32bit operating systems have a lot of limitations, 64 bit is alot more than just able to use larger amounts of system memory.
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What about an example showing why 64 bit is a requirement here?
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Thanks, I will not bother to bit on that one.
With the support for 32Bit on a Linux based operating system being phased out it's not worth getting a older machine that only will take 32Bit OS.
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Even if Ubuntu dropped support today, they would still be supporting 16.04 until 2021. Do you think you'll still be working with those laptops in another 5 years?
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If its just desktop use not server use it might be ok, Dray I wasnt saying dont use it :) just warning that using 32bit has multiple implications over 64bit. A lot of people think 64bit only matters if you need more than 4 gig of ram.
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On Linux there's an optional PAE (Physical Address Extension) kernel which allows a 32-bit OS to address much more memory than 4 GB. This works very well unless you have unusually high performance needs. Debian (for example) employs a PAE kernel as standard in its 32-bit releases.
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@Eric As do PCLinuxOS 32bit but they have stopped doing any updates for 32bit OS.
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If its just a notebook to take on holiday, 32bit Ubuntu will be more than adequate.
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Ubuntu
:thumbdown:
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What's wrong with Ubuntu?
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If it is no longer supporting 32bit then I guess that's what wrong with it. In my view 64bit is the only sensible option as 32bit will be phased out at some point and since you can run 32bit OS on 64bit processor if you need 32bit for some application then you can still load a 32bit OS. Even the Raspberry PI has gone 64bit ;)
Stuart
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Ubuntu still supports 32bit
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I'd still buy 64bit only ;)
Stuart
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This is a requirement for a cheap netbook for a bit of email and browsing whilst on holiday. ANYTHING will do!!! If you don't update for 10 years, so what?
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What's wrong with Ubuntu?
Now I use PCLinuxOS Ubuntu has got nothing on it.
Every person to there own. :)
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watch out for atom cpus, they're almost all 32 bit.
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Ok thanks.