this post was submitted on 10 May 2025
82 points (91.8% liked)

Linux

54108 readers
478 users here now

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

Rules

Related Communities

Community icon by Alpár-Etele Méder, licensed under CC BY 3.0

founded 6 years ago
MODERATORS
 

More of a thought exercise/game than anything else. I saw the news that 486 support was getting cut from linux, and I was curious just how cheaply someone could replace a desktop 486 system with something new (provided the device had all the connectivity they needed).

Rules:

  1. Device must be able to run linux.

  2. Device should be cheap as possible. A good starting point is probably sub 40usd.

  3. The device must in someway support a mouse, keyboard, display, and the internet. If adapters are necessary for this connectivity, that cost should be included.

  4. Power supply should be included in the cost of the device. (in the case of most SBCs this is just the cost of a USB cable and wall wart)

  5. The device must be new & still in production. I know used devices like laptops would probably have been king here, but I don't think that would be nearly as interesting.

I suspect that SBCs and other arm devices will be the most common suggestions.

I personally know about the Raspberry Pi Zero which can be had for ~$10, and with all the added accessories necessary to make it a full computer (usb splitters, usb power, usb to rj45, storage) it costs around ~$35. Not bad at all but I'm pretty sure we can do even better!

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] hexagonwin@lemmy.sdf.org 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Just curious but how do you manage to keep the X200T/T500's battery alive? Even my X220's is almost dead by now. Do you have it plugged in 24/7?

[–] FreeWilliam@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

No, I just buy a new lenovo 9 cell battery. I use my X200T for creativity stuff (reading/writing/drawing) and use my T500 for portable more intense work like programming that I would do on the ASUS KMCA-D8 when I'm on the go. I get about 5-12 hours on my X200T and 3-10 hours on my T500, but I do carry a docking station with me, so I can always just recharge easily, but I usually don't use it since the 5-10 hours is more than enough for school bus rides and I don't usually program in a place without a charging outlet nearby. Btw it's important to note that my computer is very minimal since I use parabola open rc edition with dwm to boot emacs, libreoffice draw, and icecat, so if you have a bloated setup then ofcourse the battery life will differ.

[–] hexagonwin@lemmy.sdf.org 1 points 4 hours ago (1 children)

wow.. i have about 70% on my 2012 9cell and get about 2.5 hours with highly optimized config(slackware, power management, governor, brightness etc). 5-12hrs with a core2duo sounds very good.

still couldn't find a proper new battery, hope i score one soon

[–] FreeWilliam@lemmy.ml 1 points 3 hours ago

Go to your local repair shop and see if they have / can get you a new one.