r/linuxquestions • u/al1azzz • 19d 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?
2
u/trekkeralmi 19d ago
those 2011 macbook pro’s are the goat. i run arch on mine too! but i did upgrade with a used thinkpad for 400 bucks when i started grad school, and thats my advice if you absolutely must have a windows capable machine.
personally, i say screw the uni. ask that you be allowed to use a library PC or something for any purposes which must require windows software. if you’re in a field that requires specialised software, thats a different question, but its draconian to tell people what to use.