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> I've had to do some ridiculous things to get them to behave after installing Linux, like tricking the BIOS to deal with UEFI correctly Strange. I use Dell Op

> I've had to do some ridiculous things to get them to behave after installing Linux, like tricking the BIOS to deal with UEFI correctly Strange. I use Dell Optiplex Micros which are pretty much the same. I’ve never had a problem installing any Linux distros or hypervisors (Proxmox and XCP-NG)

mydriasis 2y ago
It was so bizarre. I'd get a "No Operating System Found" message, and had to go toy with the UEFI config. Eek!
bitmasher9 2y ago
I’ve bought 3 used Dells, mostly Optiplexes, over the decades for dedicated hardware for Linux based projects. They always seem like a good deal, and I surprisingly never have problems with them. These are fleet computers that get gently used during business hours that have IT departments that replace computers on a time schedule. Outside of one HDD that didn’t last a year of heavy file traffic I haven’t had really good luck with these machines.
- haunter 2y ago
  >These are fleet computers that get gently used during business hours that have IT departments that replace computers on a time schedule Yeah these are the ones I'm buying too. Lot of banks have these for example as an all-in-one docked into a monitor. Sometimes they even have a small amount of Dell warranty left, though I've never ever had a problem with them.
  - ilikepi 2y ago
    > Sometimes they even have a small amount of Dell warranty left, though I've never ever had a problem with them. Yes, though technically any add-on warranty coverage or service plans are only available to the registered owner. I bought a couple Dell OptiPlex micros last year that were originally owned by a large organization. They were clearly being resold on eBay by someone who had acquired them in some sort of bulk purchase. Dell has a form you can submit to request that the registration be updated, but it requires you to provide contact information for the original owner. I asked the eBay seller if they for this contact information, but they said they did not. I was able to open a support request with Dell and have their records updated to show me as the owner after showing evidence that I had acquired the machines. This included a photo of them showing their asset tags along with a hand-written note that showed my support case number, as well as a copy of the eBay listings. I believe Dell checked with the original owner (a US federal agency) to verify the machines had been sold.
    - haunter 2y ago
      Thanks that's helpful. I still have two with warranty until January so I might try my luck with Dell
    - transpute 2y ago
      Dell ProSupport is exceptional and worth extending. Rapid access to competent technical human in US mainland.
vladvasiliu 2y ago
Same experience as you with HP Elitedesks. At work we used to use those for people doing regular office things. I have a few G2s (i5-6500) and they work flawlessly with Linux, including using my own secureboot keys.

mydriasis 2y ago

It was so bizarre. I'd get a "No Operating System Found" message, and had to go toy with the UEFI config. Eek!

bitmasher9 2y ago

I’ve bought 3 used Dells, mostly Optiplexes, over the decades for dedicated hardware for Linux based projects. They always seem like a good deal, and I surprisingly never have problems with them. These are fleet computers that get gently used during business hours that have IT departments that replace computers on a time schedule. Outside of one HDD that didn’t last a year of heavy file traffic I haven’t had really good luck with these machines.

haunter 2y ago
>These are fleet computers that get gently used during business hours that have IT departments that replace computers on a time schedule Yeah these are the ones I'm buying too. Lot of banks have these for example as an all-in-one docked into a monitor. Sometimes they even have a small amount of Dell warranty left, though I've never ever had a problem with them.
- ilikepi 2y ago
  > Sometimes they even have a small amount of Dell warranty left, though I've never ever had a problem with them. Yes, though technically any add-on warranty coverage or service plans are only available to the registered owner. I bought a couple Dell OptiPlex micros last year that were originally owned by a large organization. They were clearly being resold on eBay by someone who had acquired them in some sort of bulk purchase. Dell has a form you can submit to request that the registration be updated, but it requires you to provide contact information for the original owner. I asked the eBay seller if they for this contact information, but they said they did not. I was able to open a support request with Dell and have their records updated to show me as the owner after showing evidence that I had acquired the machines. This included a photo of them showing their asset tags along with a hand-written note that showed my support case number, as well as a copy of the eBay listings. I believe Dell checked with the original owner (a US federal agency) to verify the machines had been sold.
  - haunter 2y ago
    Thanks that's helpful. I still have two with warranty until January so I might try my luck with Dell
  - transpute 2y ago
    Dell ProSupport is exceptional and worth extending. Rapid access to competent technical human in US mainland.

vladvasiliu 2y ago

Same experience as you with HP Elitedesks. At work we used to use those for people doing regular office things. I have a few G2s (i5-6500) and they work flawlessly with Linux, including using my own secureboot keys.