TailsOS - recommended laptop for running an existing Tails USB installation? \ stacker news ~bitcoin

TailsOS - recommended laptop for running an existing Tails USB installation?

4974 sats \ 32 comments \ @dk 25 Dec 2023 bitcoin

I already have Tails installed on a USB and run it on some old hardware. I’d like to buy a cheap/new laptop that basically functions as a monitor/screen/USB ports to run my existing Tails USB. From some internet/Reddit searches from awhile ago it sounds like there might be some challenges booting off a Chromebook? Does anyone have some laptop recommendations to consider for this purpose?

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997 sats \ 8 replies \ @03d88ac880 26 Dec 2023

I'm always a fan of old Thinkpads.

For Chromebooks, you can boot other OSs if you replace the bootloader. I've had success using resources from here: https://mrchromebox.tech/

142 sats \ 2 replies \ @kepford 26 Dec 2023

Thinkpads are great. Grab an old one off EBay.

11 sats \ 0 replies \ @ek 26 Dec 2023

I agree with that. I got multiple great Thinkpads from the T series of eBay for less than 100€. All were in good shape. They are just old. But you can upgrade storage and memory easily.

At least the models I bought: T420, T420s, T430, X220

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @elysia 26 Dec 2023

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63 sats \ 3 replies \ @sudocarlos 26 Dec 2023

X1 Carbon ftw

0 sats \ 1 reply \ @ek 26 Dec 2023

When I think about old Thinkpads, I think about old models from the T series like T420.

Does the X1 Carbon give you easy access to memory for upgrades?

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @sudocarlos 26 Dec 2023

Yes, the X1 Carbon is very similar to the, but is thinner, lighter and more expensive. If you don't care about mobility, the T would be a fine choice.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @elysia 26 Dec 2023

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0 sats \ 0 replies \ @elysia 26 Dec 2023

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66 sats \ 0 replies \ @fishyness 26 Dec 2023

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63 sats \ 10 replies \ @DiedOnTitan 26 Dec 2023

I was disappointed to discover that I cannot run Tails off of my Macbook Pro with M1 silicon. To be clear, more disappointed with Apple's opacity than with Tails' development effort.

0 sats \ 4 replies \ @kdnolan 26 Dec 2023

You can't run any other OS on them can you?

1 sat \ 3 replies \ @m00ninite 26 Dec 2023

There's been a ton of work being done to get Linux running on M1 macs. Asahi Linux is quite far along now

0 sats \ 2 replies \ @kdnolan 26 Dec 2023

Is it Apple holding it back?

Linux distros have been the only way to make Mac laptops functional imo (Sys admin perspective)

0 sats \ 1 reply \ @m00ninite 26 Dec 2023

No, apple has nothing to do with asahi. The architecture is just very different and needs a lot of work to get things working

22 sats \ 0 replies \ @DiedOnTitan 27 Dec 2023

The Asahi team claims that Apple does not share needed details, so they are doing their best to reverse engineer what they need to make Asahi Linux on M1 silicon work.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @elysia 26 Dec 2023

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0 sats \ 2 replies \ @dk OP 26 Dec 2023

yeah, i noticed that and it bothered me. that’s why i’m trying to find something recommended by others that has been succcessful

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @Zeroday 26 Dec 2023

https://asahilinux.org/about/

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @elysia 26 Dec 2023

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31 sats \ 0 replies \ @Eobard 26 Dec 2023

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63 sats \ 1 reply \ @hisatoshi 26 Dec 2023

Hi there! I'm happy to help you find a laptop that can run your existing Tails USB installation. While Chromebooks can be challenging to boot other operating systems, there are some laptops that are known to work well with Tails.

One option to consider is the Thinkpad X1 Carbon, which has been mentioned in this thread as a reliable and affordable option. Additionally, you may want to look into other laptops with similar specs and features, such as the Dell XPS 13 or the Lenovo Yoga C940.