Considering A Dell Inspiron 15.6 inch i15RM-2687sLV

XINU · 2014-04-30 02:11:01

Hey everybody. I'm a brand new Linux/Crunchbang user and I need a good laptop for learning Linux in school.
I'm a student and I have quite a bit of extra time in my classes. Rather than spending that time doing redundant tasks, (like studying), I frequently find my self using my school-issued laptop (which is running Chrome OS(ew)) to learn the Linux command line amongst other things. Unfortunately, due to obvious security reasons, I am unable to do anything with Linux other than book learning, forum creeping, and general research.

So without a doubt, I need another laptop. Also unfortunately I doubt the IT department would allow me to attach it to the WiFi network due to evermore security reasons (especially after a minor security breach this year that compromised some network information).

I am looking for a laptop under $600, and specifically it needs to be a dell. As I am very poor, my father (who works in IT) is helping me pay for a laptop, but he insists it must be a Dell because of Chinese backdoors in some other products. I do not know if this is really an issue or not, but either way, for me to get a laptop, It must be a dell.

So I need a Dell that is under $600, is of good quality and preferably substantial power, and is compatible with Debian/Crunchbang.
I've been looking at the i15RM-2687sLV, and since I am very inexperienced with laptops, have no idea what else to look for. I did a search of the forums for this model, but found nothing that I could tell that was of value. I was hoping somebody could either point me in the right direction here or elsewhere on the internet, or provide their own insights. I apologize if I am going about this wrong, but if the i15RM is what I should go with, I'm hoping to snag it before it goes off of sale on Amazon. Thanks.

Last edited by XINU (2014-04-30 02:16:57)

CSCoder4ever · 2014-04-30 02:33:46

Looks solid, if you can lower your budget to $500, You can still get a decent laptop as well as achieve a ~120GB SSD, which I would highly recommend.

Also I'm not sure how your father thinks Dell isn't made in china, when in fact it is. roll
if you can convince him, Try to get a lenovo thinkpad of sorts!

ohnonot · 2014-04-30 06:07:03

actually i just skimmed a thread on linuxquestions.org where someone wanted to buy a thinkpad for about 100$, and said they'd found one on ebay.
so, i really don't think your financial limit is a problem.
it might take slightly longer to compile software on an older machine, and playing games is not so good, but other than that you're fine.
i have an old laptop here, single core, must be about 8 years old, crunchbang no problemo, and snappy, too.
a warning about NEW lenovo thinkpads - i think they decided to use their good reputation to throw a cheapo on the market. i don't remember the model, but i had it in my hands in a shop in a year ago and it felt like it might break just from opening the lid. i do recommend OLD thinkpad.

but oh i forgot your dad said it must be dell. nothing wrong with that, they have a good reputation, and quoting that other thread again, look out for their "corporate models", as dell, too, sells cheapo stuff.

would be interesting to hear more about those chinese backdoors.

the dell you mentioned looks ok.

as for compatibility, check the graphic chip beforehand, you might run into trouble installing debian(based), but nothing unsolvable!

Last edited by ohnonot (2014-04-30 06:09:48)

XINU · 2014-04-30 22:30:29

I'm now looking at the i15RV-8574BLK as it is a bit cheaper mainly due to a smaller hdd. I doubt i'll be doing anything with it on #! that will even require 750 gigs anyway. Thanks for the help.

inspiration · 2014-05-01 01:27:17

I think I have a similar model, a Dell Inspiron 13z, and I have enjoyed it. Two-finger scroll wouldn't work but I figured it out after a lot of searching (ask me for details). Whatever you decide on, though, I would check out Best Buy's clearance deals (click on Shops & Deals > Clearance & More on their site). For instance, in my area there is a Dell Inspiron 15.6" Ultrabook (with SSD) for $570. I think that's a good deal, and you might be able to find a similar one in your area. (It depends on the store.) Plus, it feels a bit safer than buying from some random person on Ebay.

I was looking for a new laptop at BestBuy and an Intel (not BestBuy specifically) salesman approached me and after a while recommended I take some time and check these deals out for myself rather than buying new in the store. I think I saved over a $100 on my laptop as a result.

Good luck!

Last edited by inspiration (2014-05-01 01:28:06)

XINU · 2014-05-08 00:25:38

Well I decided on the i15RV-8574BLK and guess what - I'm typing this on it.
It's running windows 8.1 out of the box (and of course I will replace it with either #!, Debian, or Manjaro) and I'll be evaluating it for a little while and if and when I determine it to be suitable for my uses, I'll penguin it up and post the results. So far this thing feels really good, I love the finish, and I can't wait to actually start using it for things.

I'll post a detailed install and setup list when I get around to it. So far so good.

EDIT: BTW I hate windows 8.

Last edited by XINU (2014-05-08 00:26:07)

Sector11 · 2014-05-08 02:15:30

^ please head back to your first post and edit it. In the Subject: [Solved]

Thank you.

CSCoder4ever · 2014-05-08 02:17:44

Awesome, though if you are thinking about going manjaro, why not just go Arch instead?

XINU · 2014-05-08 19:30:40

Lol man I wouldn't know where to start with Arch. I am brand new to the Linux game and it's a miracle that I'm not putting Ubuntu on this laptop, unlike most windows transplants. Anyways, I am a self admitted distro hopper and I want to see for myself what it is all about.

jeffreyC · 2014-05-08 23:41:57

Can't be all that new to Linux if you know what a distro hopper is.

XINU · 2014-05-09 19:53:10

I was a distro hopper from the moment I installed Ubuntu 12.04 LTS as my first distro. I keep returning to #! for some reason...

KrunchTime · 2014-05-12 02:57:59

I'm considering a System76 laptop, and maybe an all-in-one, when I am in the market again for new equipment.

@XINU...Since you like to distro hop, hop on over and take a look at SolydXK. It's based on Debian Testing with quarterly updates. Some packages may get updated more frequently, e.g. Firefox and Thunderbird.

Last edited by KrunchTime (2014-05-12 03:00:51)

ohnonot · 2014-05-13 05:54:01

(is it ok to go OT? otherwise just disregard)

@Krunchtime:
i got interested in solydxk.
why did you suggest it to XINU?
i tried solydx in a vm and it seems very, very solid. although it seems quite a new distro?
the About is rather short and i'm wondering: what is their definition of "secure"?
is it based on linux mint or not?

jeffreyC · 2014-05-13 06:16:59

SolydXK is over a year old.
It started from Linux Mint Debian KDE (which never fully existed) and Linux Mint Debian Xfce (which was abandoned)

It is based on Debian testing, with some tools/applications that originated in Linux Mint, as well as other sources.

KrunchTime · 2014-05-14 07:56:04

ohnonot wrote:

@Krunchtime:
i got interested in solydxk.
why did you suggest it to XINU?

Because he mentioned distro hopping and I think it's a really nice distro. wink

ohnonot wrote:

i tried solydx in a vm and it seems very, very solid. although it seems quite a new distro?
is it based on linux mint or not?

What jeffreyC said.

ohnonot wrote:

the About is rather short and i'm wondering: what is their definition of "secure"?

It's more secure than pure Debian Testing because the development team tests new packages from Debian Testing and only releases newer packages on a quarterly basis if they don't cause breakage or dependency issues. If there are issues, the development team is not afraid to forego the quarterly release. So, a user can have a distro that somewhat tracks Debian Testing, meaning newer packages, with little worry about breakage.

CrunchBang Linux

SEARCH

#1 2014-04-30 02:11:01

Considering A Dell Inspiron 15.6 inch i15RM-2687sLV

#2 2014-04-30 02:33:46

Re: Considering A Dell Inspiron 15.6 inch i15RM-2687sLV

#3 2014-04-30 06:07:03

Re: Considering A Dell Inspiron 15.6 inch i15RM-2687sLV

#4 2014-04-30 22:30:29

Re: Considering A Dell Inspiron 15.6 inch i15RM-2687sLV

#5 2014-05-01 01:27:17

Re: Considering A Dell Inspiron 15.6 inch i15RM-2687sLV

#6 2014-05-08 00:25:38

Re: Considering A Dell Inspiron 15.6 inch i15RM-2687sLV

#7 2014-05-08 02:15:30

Re: Considering A Dell Inspiron 15.6 inch i15RM-2687sLV

#8 2014-05-08 02:17:44

Re: Considering A Dell Inspiron 15.6 inch i15RM-2687sLV

#9 2014-05-08 19:30:40

Re: Considering A Dell Inspiron 15.6 inch i15RM-2687sLV

#10 2014-05-08 23:41:57

Re: Considering A Dell Inspiron 15.6 inch i15RM-2687sLV

#11 2014-05-09 19:53:10

Re: Considering A Dell Inspiron 15.6 inch i15RM-2687sLV

#12 2014-05-12 02:57:59

Re: Considering A Dell Inspiron 15.6 inch i15RM-2687sLV

#13 2014-05-13 05:54:01

Re: Considering A Dell Inspiron 15.6 inch i15RM-2687sLV

#14 2014-05-13 06:16:59

Re: Considering A Dell Inspiron 15.6 inch i15RM-2687sLV

#15 2014-05-14 07:56:04

Re: Considering A Dell Inspiron 15.6 inch i15RM-2687sLV

Board footer