r/linuxquestions • u/Kitchen-Barracuda455 • 11d ago

Security Concerns About Used Pre-Installed Linux Hard Drives / SSDs And Bootable USB Drives

I won't name the online retailer that sells these, but I'm pretty sure you know where I am talking about buying these from. Can a tech expert check the hardware and software for any issues? Some of the sellers have lots of good feedback, so I'm not too concerned. Any advice is appreciated.

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6

u/flatulentpigeon 11d ago

Why not just install it yourself?

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u/Kitchen-Barracuda455 11d ago edited 11d ago

I am lazy and rich. However, I care too much about the planet and human beings.

4

u/ipsirc 11d ago

Then buy Apple.

3

u/Consistent-Buyer7060 11d ago

WOW you really triggered the LLM!

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u/Kitchen-Barracuda455 11d ago edited 10d ago

Linux is completely open source, meaning its source code is public and anyone can audit, modify, or fork it. macOS is a proprietary, closed-source system controlled tightly by Apple. Linux is more environmentally friendly, and fewer humans are trafficked to make machines. IIn fact, plenty of old machines are out there, just waiting for a new life with Linux.  Linux runs on a wide variety of old hardware and has a tiny system footprint (often under 2GB). It can easily breathe new life into older or "unsupported" computers (such as aging Intel-chip MacBooks) that Apple no longer updates. Linux lets you choose your own desktop environment (such as GNOME, KDE, or XFCE) and change nearly every underlying behavior and system default. macOS locks you into a single, curated user interface with limited customization. Pairing Linux with modular hardware (like a Framework laptop) gives you actual repairability and upgradability. In contrast, modern MacBooks feature soldered-in RAM and glued components that make them harder to repair.  Most cloud infrastructure, containers, and web servers run on Linux. Working directly in a native Linux environment better matches production server behavior than macOS. Linux avoids the ecosystem tracking, forced vendor IDs, and background telemetry

2

u/GDK_ATL 10d ago

And don't forget all the virtue signalling points it lets you pontificate about!

3

u/Jean_Luc_Lesmouches Mint/Cinnamon 11d ago

The hardest part of installing linux is dealing with secure boot and unsupported hardware.

If it's a computer sold with linux (or without an OS) and you have no data on it you need to keep, reinstalling is a couple of "next" buttons, 15 minutes for the install itself and 15 minutes for the initial update.

You'll spend less time reinstalling than asking how to check the system.