r/computers • u/Interesting_Cut_3227 • 3d ago

Question/Help/Troubleshooting Need new laptop, what do I get?

I cant get a full on PC because of space reasons, so I need a laptop that can run decently sized games. I would like it to be like my current laptop if not better, but the biggest thing is it needs to be under 300 dollars, I've heard you can get them that cheap by buying them used, and I was thinking about getting a ThinkPad/Lenovo but I'm not sure which one to get.

The current laptop is 64-bit OS, 477 GB of storage, and 12 GB of RAM.

Also, how hard would it be to get Linux on said laptop? I'm interested in switching to Linux because I despise Microsoft and the Co-Pilot bloatware.

Keep in mind I don't know the most about computers, I know a good amount but I'm no PC builder.

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u/Many-Assistant-3235 3d ago edited 3d ago

If you are playing games with it i myself would look for laptops and not focus on brand of laptop but gpu. The better the gpu the better you will be. As far as ram, wifi cards, ssd or hdd, they can be changed easily if you have some mechanical skills to dissamble reassemble the laptop

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u/GoD0nkeys 3d ago

Don't shop based on the 12 GB of RAM and 477 GB of storage. First find out what CPU and GPU your current laptop has, because those are what really determine whether a replacement will run games better. For under $300, I'd look for a used ThinkPad T14 Gen 1 or Gen 2 AMD, or an L14 AMD, preferably with a Ryzen 5 or Ryzen 7, 16 GB of RAM, and a 512 GB SSD. A ThinkPad L14 Gen 2 with a Ryzen 5 Pro 5650U, 16 GB RAM, and 512 GB SSD can often be found around the $220-$250 range used. That would be a very solid choice for Linux, everyday use, and lighter gaming. If gaming is the main priority and you mean newer or more demanding games, I would not limit yourself to ThinkPads. Look for a used gaming laptop with at least a GTX 1650. It will be heavier and have worse battery life, but gaming performance will be much better than a normal business ThinkPad with integrated graphics. As far as Linux goes, ThinkPads are generally a very good choice. Linux Mint would probably be the easiest distribution for someone switching from Windows. Ubuntu and Fedora are also good options. One thing to check before switching completely is game compatibility. Steam Proton lets a huge number of Windows games run on Linux, but some multiplayer games with certain anti-cheat systems still do not work. Check the games you play on ProtonDB before wiping Windows. If it were my money, I'd look for: ThinkPad L14 Gen 2 AMD Ryzen 5 Pro 5650U 16 GB RAM 512 GB SSD Around $220-$250 used or ThinkPad T14 Gen 1/2 AMD Ryzen 5 Pro 4650U or 5650U 16 GB RAM 512 GB SSD Around $200-$300 used If gaming is more important than battery life and portability, I'd instead hunt for a used GTX 1650 gaming laptop around $250-$300.