I was told I own too many laptops... :|

[VirtualLarry]

I want a Ryzen Mobile -based laptop, for $600 or less, with two SO-DIMM slots, an M.2 PCI-E socket, and a 1080P IPS screen. Will install 256GB SSD, and 2x8GB DDR4.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

I want a Ryzen Mobile -based laptop, for $600 or less, with two SO-DIMM slots, an M.2 PCI-E socket, and a 1080P IPS screen. Will install 256GB SSD, and 2x8GB DDR4.

Makes sense to me.

Wait until Black Friday and look for one of these. In the meantime, start getting all the stuff you have on eBay.

 

[nakedfrog]

Physical isolation >>> Logical isolation.

Windows malware could, in theory, place trojan programs on the Linux filesystem / partition, when booted into Windows.

I mean, sure, in theory... but who's going to bother writing malware that does this, with such a small percentage of users that dual boot Windows and Linux? First you've got to write it, then have someone actually contract the malware, and then finally have your payoff.

 

[ElFenix]

if you're that concerned about bank security you should probably just go ahead and do all your banking in person.

 

[XavierMace]

if you're that concerned about bank security you should probably just go ahead and do all your banking in person.

If he's that concerned about banking security, he shouldn't use banks.

 

[mxnerd]

Physical isolation >>> Logical isolation.

Windows malware could, in theory, place trojan programs on the Linux filesystem / partition, when booted into Windows.

The problem is Windows does not come with a file system natively to read-write Linux partition.

 

[Moana]

Hiya VirtualLarry!
May I ask you if you still need help regarding this issue? (The thread is about half a year old). After reading about your problem I have a few models I can suggest you get for your (rather basic) needs. Also, it may be great if you could elaborate a bit more about the type of work you do and whether it is your full time job (it looks as if you are a computer technician).

Just for some background of myself, while I have just joined Ananadtech recently, I actually do have some background in technology. While I am not trained, I have helped dozens of family and friends (too many to number, including my mother, grandma, and way more friends, most of whom look up to me as their IT support) and my primary expertise is in mobile devices even though I regularly dabble in computers too.

By the way, since Oct 2017, have you changed your computers or bought any new ones? If so, what are they? Please do let me know as I'd be most happy to help as I already have some ideas of what models you can buy for your needs. And P.S. Larry, I do think you have way too many laptops, especially since your budget doesn't really allow for it. My principle - sometimes quality is more important than quantity.

 

[Moana]

I've got a pile of laptops on my bed, and was told / suggested to pare it down to maybe two, and sell the others.

I've got a Dell with an N2830 CPU, and a 120GB Samsung SSD.
An Asus with an N2830 CPU, and a 480GB SSD. (Using that one right now.)
A pair of Lenovo business class laptops, with A6-6310 APUs and 4GB DDR3 and one has a 240GB SSD, one is still factory-spec. (Willing to sell the factory-spec one.)

And a couple of laptops I bought just to flip, primarily.
A Lenovo IdeaPad 110S w/N3060, 2GB, 32GB eMMC, 11.6".
A Blue Dell Inspiron 3000 series, 11.6", N3060, 4GB (I think... maybe?), 32GB eMMC, 64-bit.

And I've got a pair of 11.6" laptops, that I use Linux on for banking. One is an older IVB U-series CPU, with a HDD, which I could sell. The other is a more recent Acer CloudBook, that I managed to shoe-horn Linux Mint onto it.

My needs are thus:
A daily-driver laptop, running Windows most likely, that I can use to web browse and Skype from the comfort of my bed.
A laptop running Linux, to be used for online banking.
A laptop that I can take on-site to clients to use to look up stuff online, download drivers, and configure routers with. (Needs both wireless, and an ethernet port. Not all cheap laptops have ethernet ports any more.) This one should not be a big deal if it gets lost / stolen / damage. Basically, a "disposable" laptop, with an ethernet jack.

And possibly a backup daily-driver running Windows, in case my primary DD gets a virus or malware, and I need to use a Windows-based laptop to fix it. (MS Media Creation tool to create a Win10 USB requires Windows to run.)

Budget: I have $0 available right now for new laptop purchases, but if anyone knows anything coming up soon that will be cheap, but faster than an Atom-based laptop, then chime in. (Maybe wait for Raven Ridge-based laptops, for a new DD laptop?)

Performance requirements: I'm happy with the performance of the N2830-based laptops, at least with a real SATA SSD installed. The N3060-based laptops with limited RAM and eMMC really suck though, I couldn't quite stand to use those as a DD. The A6-6310 laptops are fairly fast too, but they don't have as good a battery life as the N2830 ones do.

Battery life is somewhat important. I want more than 4 hours. My Lenovo IdeaPad 100S has nearly 9-10 hours battery life just web browsing. Bonus if laptop battery is user-removable.

I'm looking for another cheap laptop to run Linux, though, because the IVB-based one, when you upgrade the distro too far, it doesn't support the onboard graphics any more, so cannot upgrade from the factory distro, and the Acer Cloudbook, has a key on the keyboard that returns the wrong letter when you hit it. (Weird problem.) It was a refurb that I got cheap, might have been bad from day one but I just never noticed.

Edit: This thread is in no way a brag thread, all of these laptops are really low-end. Only I've souped up a few of them with SSDs.

Hiya Virtual Larry!

I guess that based on your thread "I Was Told I own too many laptops", you are looking to downsize your laptop collection to something a little more practical for your budget. (To be honest, that's something I'll recommend too). Well, if you asked me, I'd recommend you simply get rid of pretty much every laptop aside from the Asus N2830 with 480GB SSD and your Lenovo Ideapad 110s (seems you like its battery life). You can try loading Linux on either of them if you'd like. You can use the proceeds from the sale of the old laptops to getting a new one.

Here are some Windows laptops that should serve some of your needs. I have noted you would appreciate an Ethernet port and flash-based storage. Also, I have included some low-cost chromeOS laptops. chromeOS is based on Linux, so it is actually safer than Windows. Many have lauded chromeOS for its incompatibility with 99.999% of common viruses, malware and trojans.

1. Lenovo Ideapad 320 15-inch
Pentium N4200/4GB RAM/1TB HDD for $269. Other specs available.
+ Has Ethernet RJ45 LAN port
+ Large 15-inch display for your "comfortable home usage and Skype from your bed"
- Only 6 hour battery life
- Hard-disk storage

Link: https://www3.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops/ideapad/ideapad-300-series/Ideapad-320-15-Intel/p/88IP3000842
Online reviews: https://www.notebookcheck.net/Lenovo-IdeaPad-320-15IKBRN-8250U-MX150-FHD-Laptop-Review.284462.0.html

2. Lenovo Ideapad 110 14-inch
N3160/4GB ram/ 500GB HDD for $329
+ Has Ethernet port and 802.11ac WiFi
- Very short 3 hour battery life
Link: https://www3.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops/ideapad/ideapad-100-series/Ideapad-110-14/p/88IP1000707

3. Lenovo Ideapad 120S 11 inch is a beautifully designed laptop with 11 inch display and 8 hours of battery life. However, it only has 2GB RAM and 32GB eMMC. No Ethernet port. Costs only $199, the cheapest in this group.
Link: https://www3.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops/ideapad/ideapad-100-series/Ideapad-120S-11-Intel/p/88IP10S0891
Online reviews: https://www.laptopmag.com/reviews/laptops/lenovo-ideapad-120s-11-inch
http://www.notebookcheck.net/Lenovo-Ideapad-120s-11-inch-Notebook-Review.268204.0.html
https://www.gottabemobile.com/lenovo-ideapad-120s-11-review/

4. Lenovo Miix 320
For this, you are getting a detachable Windows device for $349, with the keyboard included in the box. Battery is rated at 10 hours, and you get an Atom x5 processor, 4GB ram, and 64GB eMMC.
Link: https://www3.lenovo.com/us/en/tablets/windows-tablets/miix-series/-Miix-320/p/88IPMX30837
Online reviews: https://www.laptopmag.com/reviews/laptops/lenovo-miix-320
https://www.notebookcheck.net/Lenov...0-LTE-128-GB-Convertible-Review.239704.0.html
https://www.slashgear.com/lenovo-miix-320-review-a-tiny-200-windows-2-in-1-laptop-24490213/

5. Dell Inspiron 11 3000 series, which has a 7th gen AMD-E2 processor ($199) or AMD A6 processor ($229), 4GB RAM, 32GB eMMC. Comes with 11 inch display. No Ethernet port though. Excellent battery life.
Link: http://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/dell...532_view_all_config_SOCPD&view=configurations
Online reviews: https://www.laptopmag.com/reviews/laptops/dell-inspiron-11-3000

6. Dell Inspiron 15 3000
This laptop does HAVE an Ethernet port and WiFi. At 15-inch screen size, this laptop is quite large and heavy at 2.153kg. However, it packs a solid i3-6006U, 4GB RAM, AND 1TB HDD, all for just $299! It's a Dell offer seemingly only available on Dells own website. In my opinion, this is the best laptop you should get as it fulfills all of your needs and the 6th Gen i3 is way faster than your Celerons and Atoms. Only problem is the weight though.

Link- http://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/dell-laptops/inspiron-15-3000/spd/inspiron-15-3567-laptop
Online reviews : https://www.laptopmag.com/reviews/laptops/dell-15-inspiron-3000
https://www.ultrabookreview.com/7793-dell-inspiron-15-3543-review/

7. HP Pavilion 15
This may seem a little bit more expensive than the rest, but makes up for it with an expansive 15-inch display, Ethernet port, and fast WiFi. Costs $419 for AMD A10/8GB ram/1TB HDD. $469 for i5-7200U/8GB RAM/1TB HDD.
Link: https://store.hp.com/us/en/mdp/great-value-notebooks-348002--1/pavilion-15-348009--1#!&tab=vao
Online reviews: http://www.trustedreviews.com/reviews/hp-pavilion-15-au072sa

8. HP laptop 15t
Currently a limited time deal, the HP Laptop 15t does have an Ethernet port and a 15 inch display. Costs $389 for a i3-7100U, 8GB RAM, 1TB HDD, which sounds like a great deal. It is a new laptop and does have WiFi.
http://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/dell-laptops/inspiron-15-3000/spd/inspiron-15-3567-laptop
Online reviews : https://www.pcworld.com/article/296...rformance-this-budget-laptops-got-it-all.html

Since you are looking for online-banking security, here are some chromeOS laptops. Just to repeat chromeOS is based on Linux so what you are getting is really secure. These decides come preloaded with chromeOS out of the box, no tinkering needed. However, Chromebook usually do not have an Ethernet port.

9. Lenovo 100e Chromebook
It has a Celeron N3350, 4GB RAM, 32GB eMMC, an 11-inch display all for $199. Sadly, this too doesn't include an Ethernet port. As I mentioned, this would be best suited for home usage and banking. It does have 10 hours battery life.
Link: https://www3.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops/lenovo/lenovo-n-series/100e-Chromebook/p/88ELC1S9999

10. Dell Chromebook 3180
Has an N3060, 2 or 4 GB RAM and 32GB eMMC storage. 10 hours of battery life. 11-inch display. Costs $189 for 2 GB RAM and $239 for 4GB ram. Comes preloaded with chromeOS
Link: http://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/cty/pdp/spd/chromebook-11-3180-laptop
Online reviews: https://www.laptopmag.com/reviews/laptops/dell-chromebook-3180

Hops this list could have helped you! I would really appreciate if you get back to me and let me know how you feel about what I have suggested. Maybe together we can find a laptop that’s best suited for your needs.....Please do contact me at ilovemoana.test@gmail.com.

Regards
Moana
(Note: I am not any sort of sales person. Just wanting to help.)

 

[lakedude]

You do own too many laptops. I can relate, at one point I had a dozen desktops all running at the same time, mostly doing BOINC or Folding@Home.

For security I suggest FatDog or Puppy from optical or some other write protected media. Those distros are small so they boot fast and run fast because they fit completely in RAM. Since you don't ever need to mount a hard drive you can just yank the power cord out of the wall for a shutdown because no information is being locally saved. You don't even need a hard drive, in fact having a hard drive would be defeating the point. Best virus/malware protection ever!

Of course you need to remember and type all your login info every time because nothing is saved. I suppose you could do a remaster that saved that just that information but that would likely not be worth the trouble.

 

[compcons]

I have a lenovo w530 with an SSD in the main location, SSD in a ultra bay and an MSATA. 32 GB RAM and a quad core i7.

It triple boots to Windows, Mint Linux and Chromium. I can run vmware in Windows and run VMs off a usb3 enclosure with an SSD in it. Zero limitations with a single laptop. Then again, I have 5 other laptops and 2 netbooks...

 

[frozentundra123456]

I think your security concerns are somewhat excessive. My wife and I both do all our banking (credit cards and checking/savings accounts) on normal Win 10 PCs, with basic free antivirus programs. In many, many years, neither of us has had a breach through our online activity. There have been several due to hacking of the site we are dealing with, but none directly related to our activity. I could be wrong, but I am much more concerned about my data being obtained from big data bases than from my personal online activity.

As to the original question, I agree with the other posters. Get rid of everything atom and buy a decent big core laptop, or even wait and see what AMD brings to the table in mobile. Atom isnt horrible, it is OK for a cheap 7 or 8 inch tablet. But for any kind of laptop, I would avoid it.