Strict rules for NEW LAPTOP

[inquiring]

I am shopping for a lightweight laptop that I can carry to work and school.

I CAN'T BUY an AIRBOOK or other MAC laptop for various reasons.

The laptop MUST have a CD/DVD reader/burner.
USB port for local printer and flash drive.
Less than 5 lbs weight.
More than a 12 inch diagonal screen.
Battery life more than 4 hours.
As Thin as possible.

I will install UBUNTU after I buy the laptop hence the need for the DVD/CD drive. And to play DVDs and write from CD's.

I am not up on new laptop technology hence this post.

Thank you.

 

[mikeymikec]

About the DVD writer requirement - if you only really need an optical drive for OS installation (or something similarly rare), why not get a USB optical drive? I'm thinking weight/size requirements here. USB (bus) powered drives are the most common these days.

Apart from that, I would check that the laptop in question supports pre-UEFI options (ie. CSM support), unless Ubuntu definitely can install on UEFI systems now. I heard that there were some problems regarding Linux and UEFI.

 

[inquiring]

What does UEFI mean? I cant locate that term. Also, what exactly is an"optical" USB drive? Do you mean a standard flash drive that plugs into any USB port on a laptop?
Thank you.

 

[TheStu]

What does UEFI mean? I cant locate that term. Also, what exactly is an"optical" USB drive? Do you mean a standard flash drive that plugs into any USB port on a laptop?
Thank you.

An optical drive is a drive that uses optical media, such as DVDs or CDs. A USB Optical Drive is an optical drive that is external to the computer, and connects over USB. So rather than have it take up space and weight in the computer, it is only hooked up when needed.

UEFI is Unified Extensible Firmware Instruction. It is what is replacing the BIOS (Basic Input Output System), which is what actually boots the computer and ties all the hardware together, basically. It is what most newer systems should have, and I guess has issues with Linux.

If you're willing to roll with an external DVD drive (also you can install Linux off a thumbdrive), then most any ultrabook out there should do you just fine, but I hear that the Dell XPS13 and the Asus ZenBook are particularly nice.

Also, even though you aren't getting one, it's a MacBook Air, not AIRBOOK, and Mac, not MAC. MAC is Media Access Control, Mac is short for Macintosh. Just sayin'.

 

[inquiring]

Sure, I can buy and carry an external DVD drive and use as needed.
I'm working on a budget and see some lightweight smaller screen laptops but I can't afford to spend the $1000 or more that they cost.
What lag time do I incur using an external DVD drive if I play a DVD movie?
Also, could I install Ubuntu from my CD from the external drive to replace the OS that comes instaled on the laptop or notebook? I also need to print to a local printer from the laptop/notebook so it must have a full size USB port.

I like Ubuntu and have used it for years-it is reliable, simple, easy to use and free. I can choose my own browser and VPN/proxy with Ubuntu as well.

Would the SAMSUNG Chromebook allow me to use the external DVD drive to replace the native OS with Ubuntu?

Why did UEFI replace the older BIOS on the motherboards?

Any advantage?

Thank you.

 

[mikeymikec]

DVD playback isn't very demanding, a USB optical drive would handle it fine.

 

[TheStu]

Sure, I can buy and carry an external DVD drive and use as needed.
I'm working on a budget and see some lightweight smaller screen laptops but I can't afford to spend the $1000 or more that they cost.

What exactly is your budget? That's a good place to start.

What lag time do I incur using an external DVD drive if I play a DVD movie?

None.

Also, could I install Ubuntu from my CD from the external drive to replace the OS that comes instaled on the laptop or notebook?

Yes. You can also use a USB thumbdrive.

I also need to print to a local printer from the laptop/notebook so it must have a full size USB port.

Any laptop you buy will have a full size USB port. I don't think there are any that have a mini/micro-USB port.

Would the SAMSUNG Chromebook allow me to use the external DVD drive to replace the native OS with Ubuntu?

It's not the same, but it's close link.

 

[inquiring]

I'd like to spend under $500 as I plan to use the laptop/notebook only at work using my T-Mobile phone as a hotspot because our IT department has censored and blocked websites contained on a watchlist. (Playing back a DVD movie is a bonus if I'm bored at home or travel to a hotel).

I carry a satchel to work and my current cheap 15.6", 6 lb Lenovo laptop is too heavy and too thick to carry every day. I just need a thin and lightweight portable computer that I can carry and use to access the internet, type and print documents, and download and copy files to a flash drive running from my cell phone hotspot.

The laptop/notebook MUST offer a wireless connection so I can connect to my cell phone's hot spot. The HD or SSD must be large enough to allow updates to the OS and a few programs that I want to install into the Ubuntu OS.