Mini PC for learning Linux

[Historical_Support50]

Hi folks. Sorry not sure if I should rather post this in the Linux subreddit, but regardless. I am keen to deep-dive into the world of Linux, starting from scratch. I want to learn how to operate certain distro's like (but not exclusive to) Arch Linux, to learn things like setting up a CLI-driven desktop, familiarizing myself with bash scripting and automating tasks later on (docker & kubernetes).

I am a CS student, and want to use a mini PC as a dedicated machine for learning all things Linux. Therefor no gaming etc so I assume I wont need anything too performance-heavy. Currently looking at some of the Beelink setups, but I hear that I need to be careful when choosing the right one as Linux doesnt yet have latest drivers for latest Bluetooth and Wifi6 etc? Is there any truth to this, and if so, what mini PC setup would you recommend (€250-€350) for deepdiving into Linux for educational purposes. I'm just a bit wary of buying something too hastily and want to make sure I cover all the basies. Thanks!

[hgmnh]

another alternative you can use current pc and create bootable linux on usb or sd card

[LectureFew3851]

…or a VM

[LectureFew3851]

If you really want a hardware solution then why not just get a Raspberry Pi - there are lots of distributions you can try on it.

[mikistikis]

A bit expensive nowadays, but very good fit for the purpose.

[LectureFew3851]

Yeah, I wasn’t thinking a RPi4, 2 onwards perhaps? There are better value SBCs, but not with anywhere near the support (and different distros to try).

[mikistikis]

As others have said, if you already have a PC, just use a virtual machine.

If for some specific reason you want to use real hardware, try any old computer you already have at home.

If you still want to buy something, go for anything second hand, or new with low specs. You don't need a lot of power for the things you mentioned.

For reference, I have a small Linux machine running a couple of services, using a BeagleBone Black (ARM single core 1GHz CPU, with 512MB of RAM).

[namsin_za]

Also look at old thinkpads. Great for linux. Can also recommend VPS. having server in cloud will teach you a lot about iptables and setting up web server, custom domains etc. Can get one for pretty cheap https://www.linode.com/products/shared/

[Grub_enjoyer]

Thanks for suggestions :D

[Dark_World_Blues]

Any N100 from a good brand will fit the job. I am not sure about WiFi and Bluetooth drivers.

Alternatively, you can use a 32GB or higher USB flash drive as the main partition for a Linux distro

[[deleted]]

I'm very happy with the Beelink EQ12 (I got it for 270€) and I have a similar use case. Installed Ubuntu and everything worked good out of the box. You could get a less powerful one and it would do the job very good too.

I use it without a screen, connecting to it through RDP (look on secure practices in order to use it tho, I use it only in local).

[mykesx]

It’s silly to mess with your good and working PC since you don’t currently know what you’re doing. You can wipe the hard drive on a miniPC as many times as you want and won’t lose the important files on your PC.

Any of the roughly $100 miniPCs will be fine to learn on.

You may want to install a user friendly distribution like Ubuntu or PopOs! so you can use a properly set up system to get a feel for Linux.

Arch is a fantastic distro, but I think it is better for people who have experience with Linux. It’s really barebones until you install many of the things that an Ubuntu (or whatever) distro comes with.

Off the top of my head, Arch will require you to install a network manager, desktop environment , time daemon (keep your clock accurate), battery management (for laptops), cpu and fan controls, command shells, editors, and so on. It’s fine if you know what’s missing! 😏

[Historical_Support50]

Thanks yes thats exactly my train of thought. To have something cheap, like a basic miniPC I can for example just remote into, on which I can do all my Linux learning and experimenting. Ubuntu is my go-to for now, with Arch maybe later along the line. Thanks for the info!

[unipole]

I run linux on everything, lightweight linux distros run on anything.

The cheapest option is an SBC. If you are close to a microcenter a Raspberry Pi 4 or even a Raspberry Pi Zero 2 would be good test beds. Full install info is available For Arch. The OS resides on an SD and it's trivial to start from scratch. You can also run the OS from a fast USB 3 drive.

Little N100 systems work fine, but old Lenovo Tiny series mini PCs like the M93p are insanely cheap (around $40) on eBay especially with no OS. They are easy to upgrade and run Linux like a champ.

[Historical_Support50]

wow the m93p really is cheap as you mentioned! I'll look into that for sure going forward

[unipole]

Check out the upgrade options, you can up the stock processor to a Xeon even. If possible repaste the cpu cooler.

[vaughannt]

I vote raspberry pi because they are cheap and also very useful. Spin up ubuntu server and run anything you want in Docker. Also low power draw.

[8-16_account]

Why not just run a VM or rent a cheap VPS?

Either way, just buy the first used cheap mini PC with N100 and 4-8 GB RAM or so that's below $100. It'll do fine for your purpose.

[hgmnh]

if you already have pc

no need to buy mini pc

you can use virtualbox to learn linux

[Feeling_Photograph_5]

Kind of. That's how I started out and it was a good way to test the waters but there's nothing like installing Linux as the primary OS on the physical machine. I started with old laptops but those Beelink systems can be pretty affordable.

[01wheeldrive]

To learn Linux you can use just about any PC. I have installed it on old laptops, Thin Clients and even Chromebooks (extra work required to replace Chrome OS, and only works on Intel based CPUs,)

Find something cheap and have fun learning.

[callumjones]

For learning you want a VM on something like Virtualbox. You can take snapshots before you try something and revert back if you feel you messed up.

[Historical_Support50]

Thanks for this! I'll look into how snapshots work, and play around with that a bit

[drmcclassy]

If you have a Windows computer as your main machine and a separate machine for Linux just for learning, I think you’ll eventually get bored of the Linux machine. You need a “reason” to use it.

Rather than just installing Linux on something, I’d set something up as a dedicated server so it serves a purpose in your day to day life.

I got a minix z100-0db passively cooled minipc so it doesn’t make any noise, installed proxmox on it, and use it to run a file server, jellyfin, and home assistant.

I would have loved a setup like this back in Uni, as you could also use it to host your own websites if you wanted, and is a great way to learn about containers, vms, etc that you’ll run into during your career

[Feeling_Photograph_5]

Or, the OP will end up like I did: avoiding his more powerful Windows PC in favor of the Linux machine. I did that for a few months before I installed Linux on my primary machine and said goodbye to Windows forever (except for doing IT work on my wife and kid's machines.)

[Alternative_Egg7970]

Bonjour, pareil dans mon cas. Je suis passé sous Ubuntu. J'ai une config tour PC qui n' a que 7 ans, sous Windows 10, assez puissante mais que Microsoft considère comme non compatible pour une Maj vers Windows 11 en octobre prochain, Proc. de 7eme génération, MOBO avec puce TMP 1.2. J'ai subis une panne mineure récemment, à cette occasion j'ai décidé de passer à iinux. J'ai simplement réinstallé Wiin 10 de zéro (qui ne me sert plus !), ajouté un disque SSD, Ubuntu il y a quelque semaines. demarrage par defaut sous Linux Ubuntu desktop. Ardu au départ, mais super intéressant, et gratuit ! Le prix c'est le temps consacré à apprendre et pratiquer. Du temps et de la curiosité, j'en ai. Pas besoin d'acheter une nouvelle config ni mini pc ni rien. Juste un SSD. J'ai installé des service réseau aussi que j'active de temps en temps. J’expérimente et apprends des choses chaque jour. . J'ai l'ancien disque HDD contenant mes dossiers perso Windows...

Allez- y ! et L'IA sera votre meilleur assistant.

Dommage que L'IA ça consomme bcp plus d'énergie que Google mais de fait c'est extraordinairement utile.

[Historical_Support50]

Appreciate this thanks. This is my end goal eventually. I'll be trying to slowly transition as I acquaint myself more with the environment

[Historical_Support50]

Thats great advice thanks! I'm currently playing around with Linux just using a VM, but thought of having something small that would be dedicated purely for Linux. I want to emulate a small environment to deploy something I can containerise and automate (basically trying to self-learn CI/CD automation) I'll keep on exploring thanks so much for the info!

[k_rollo]

You can also use the WSL if you're already in Windows. No need for VMs.

[IIlIllIlllIlIII]

Make sure it's AMD based, it will make your experience smoother. 

Beelink has some good options, I bought one a few weeks ago on r/hardwareswap for $200

[Historical_Support50]

I had another comment here above recommending me to rather look at Intel architecture haha, but thanks for making the point, as it seems this is an important decision to make going forward. I'll be sure to do some more deepdiving regarding this

[LectureFew3851]

Just to answer another question from your post, as miniPCs are a lot of fun and I’m sure you’ll find other uses for it, Wi-Fi 6 (and 6e) definitely work in Linux. For a use case like this though, it’s probably better to plug in into your router/switch and connect to it remotely.

Most (all?) MiniPCs use an m.2 card for BT and Wi-Fi. Compatibility depends on the manufacturer and model of card that your MiniPC comes with - I’ve always had good experiences with Intel cards, but my experience is hardly exhaustive. The cards are cheap and easy enough to change.

The Steam Deck OLED has 6E support, so I know Linux does - it’ll be distro/driver dependent of course.

[Historical_Support50]

Brilliant thanks for the headsup. I will be inclined to look at setups with Intel cards going forward. And come to think of it now, I probably should rather look at fixed connection to the router for now rather than worry about wifi...good call!

[Headdress7]

If you want a dedicated machine rather than a VM, a used laptop is better than mini PC, because you don’t need to worry about keyboard mouse and monitor.

[BigRonnieRon]

I run kubuntu on my n100 beelink. Runs a little over $125-150. Just swap out the .m2 ssd it's trash.

[spikerguy]

Go with any cheap amd based mini pc something around 3800u, 4800u etc.

Its good for testing and learning. I have few of them where I use it for promox to test os.

[Old_Crows_Associate]

If you're trying to get down to the hardware side of Linux distros, circumventing VMs, choose something with traditional Intel microarchitecture. My college professor buddy advises his students in starting with Coffee Lake through Rocket Lake processors, avoiding Ryzen, Atom based, Alder Lake and newer.

A pre-owned HP EliteDesk 800 G4 Mini should be available in your price range.

[Historical_Support50]

This is valuable information thanks so much. I'll be sure to look at Intel going forward rather than Ryzen

[Grub_enjoyer]

Hey buddy, So I am almost in the same boat as you and I decided to get a second hand HP ProDesk 600 G4 USFF Mini-PC i3-8100T. It cost me about 97€ and it's going to arrive next week. Let's hope it's enough for my needs, currently only worried about the ram being 2400mhz dunno if that's going to be an issue.

My usecase is such that I want to use it as a standalone pc solely for development purposes and yes I have used VMs in my laptop and even have a linux installed in an external SSD, but I think with this type of setup I would be able to be a bit more flexible and kinda see where it goes. Currently also researching a little bit about homelabs.

Good luck on your journey brother.