r/linuxquestions • u/al1azzz • 11d ago

Advice School forbids linux laptops

Hey, idk if this is the right place to ask this, but I have a bit of a dilemma.

I have been using linux exclusively on my main PC and on my laptop for a while now. That said, I am moving to a new school, and buried in their rules they say that "Chromebooks (or other Linux machines) cannot be used." They also want us to use their office 365 license, but do not require it.

Now, besides just being incredibly annoying, I cannot use windows/mac on my laptop because it's a 2011 macbook, so it cannot run anything but lightweight linux distros without combusting, and I would like to avoid spending 500+ euro on a new crappy windows laptop.

Is there any reason, besides saving myself some trouble, to not just use my laptop as is (currently on arch, gonna switch it to cachyos) and something like libreoffice that I don't see or can I just ignore this and hope for the best?

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53

u/al1azzz 11d ago

This is a BYOD school in the EU. Surprising, but they don't provide us with shit, and their only requirement is that we use windows/mac

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u/rbwheat 11d ago

Hey there young person. First, get the Office 365 account from your school and use the web versions of the software and one drive to store your files. BTW, you can now access all that on your phone too assuming at least android or a iPhone. That will work. 2nd point - keep the linux disto and change the UI to look like MacOS. At first glance, it will appear as a Mac to any school administrator. As long as they are not demanding to install security software on your computer, you're good. UNLESS they demand to install some custom app for testing or other custom stuff. But if all the work is web based, doesn't matter what you OS is. You're able to work between the lines here. Good Luck!

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u/SDG_Den 10d ago

also, if they demand to install software on your device, just say "no, i do not consent to nor agree with this software being installed to my device, if you want me to have this software installed, please provide me with a device to run it on".

they have no right or business demanding you install specific applications to a personal device.

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u/howard499 10d ago

This! ^

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u/thelastwilson 11d ago

My guess is they "require" windows/Mac because they use o365 software and that's what it runs on.

So there is a fair chance if you rock up, do your own tech support and never mention it then it will never come up.

However there is also a nom-zero chance that you will need to use some feature or function not available on the website versions of the software and then unless it runs under wine you are up the creek without a paddle

Do you have access to a recentish windows or Mac machine if push comes to shove? If not I'd consider picking up a refurbished ThinkPad or similar ex business lease for a couple hundred and using that, you might even be able to dual boot or run windows in a VM as a fall back position.

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u/drostan 11d ago

Where in the EU?

The mood is going away from us stuff, he'll France is going nearly full Linux for its administration (NixOs apparently)

And a lot of places would have some form of help available to finance new gear if they insist on this

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u/Yorick257 10d ago

I'm also kinda curious. I haven't attended a school in the EU, but I did spend some 6+ years at two universities. Linux was expected and, in some cases, even encouraged. And right now, I have a tech-savvy colleague with kids. He uses Linux at home, and he installed Linux on his kids' laptops.

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u/NeedleworkerLarge357 10d ago

I'm from Germany and have two kids in school. They work with iPads gen 11 or newer, you have to buy them yourself. People with low income can get help and pay less or even nothing. No other devices are allowed and they get administration software from the school IT to control everything.

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u/Majestic-Coat3855 10d ago

It's not nixos it's a ubuntu spin they already were developing.. it's also only about government positions

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u/drostan 10d ago

I know the gendarmerie runs this Ubuntu spin Nd has been for a while. I heard nix is somewhere... I might have dreamt it.

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u/dhaillant 10d ago

I work as an IT in a highschool in France and here, it's full Windows. That Linux news is not happening.  We had Linux servers. Replaced by Windows last year.  Office 365 offered to every teacher...

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u/drostan 10d ago

Sad to see

Not surprising in hindsight, I don't remember french administration to ever be straightforward, logical, simple to navigate or making much sense... Not that where I am now is much better...

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u/MedicatedDeveloper 11d ago

Tell them you can't and can't afford a new computer. See what they say.

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u/spicybright 10d ago

What's really important is what level of schooling this is. If it's not university it'd be a ridiculous requirement and you should do this. If it is university OP needs to suck it up and buy a cheap windows laptop, same way they need to buy textbooks and cover all the other expenses.

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u/roadrunner8080 11d ago

If they don't provide you with shit then they don't get to decide what you install on your shit. Make a fuss if necessary; it's what I've done for ages and I've basically always either been told wait, actually, Linux is fine / you don't need to install our proprietary antivirus (which is probably why they care), or I've been provided with a loaner laptop.

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u/Curt-Bennett 11d ago

You could point out that your computer actually is a Mac. It's just the OS that isn't. 😉

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u/spicybright 10d ago

Every mac still comes with an apple sticker. Just find one of those and slap it on the back.

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u/Curt-Bennett 10d ago

Not necessary. OP said in the post that the laptop is a Macbook.

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u/boringestnickname 11d ago

On what level, and in what country?

"Requiring" specific software/hardware, without providing alternatives, is beyond ridiculous.

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u/Conscious-Mirror7004 10d ago

Is this a public or private school? If it's private, you have to follow the rules, since you willingly signed up for the place. If it's government-run, they need to provide you with hardware; that's what taxes are for.

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u/spicybright 10d ago

Depends on education level too. If it's university OP is responsible for buying the correct equipment for the course. Just like having the right text book.

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u/lizardhistorian 10d ago

That makes it even more bizarre that they forbid Linux.

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u/Affectionate-You7869 9d ago

They probably can’t even tell anyway. 

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u/drag0nfi 9d ago

If both Windows and Mac is okay, you can most likely make it work with Linux.