From 1b8a0fbde2e052eab898e521ed3aebabe2d42e16 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Sam Rolfe Date: Thu, 9 Jul 2026 15:58:53 +1000 Subject: [PATCH] sam-4screen-desktop 2026-7-9:15:58:53 --- .obsidian/workspace.json | 18 +++---- .trash/ThinkPad Recommendations.md | 74 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 000 daily/ThinkPad Recommendations.md | 75 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 3 files changed, 158 insertions(+), 9 deletions(-) create mode 100644 .trash/ThinkPad Recommendations.md create mode 100644 000 daily/ThinkPad Recommendations.md diff --git a/.obsidian/workspace.json b/.obsidian/workspace.json index cdfdbe0..ebda262 100644 --- a/.obsidian/workspace.json +++ b/.obsidian/workspace.json @@ -13,12 +13,12 @@ "state": { "type": "markdown", "state": { - "file": "100 inbox/Tools to try with AI.md", + "file": "000 daily/ThinkPad Recommendations.md", "mode": "preview", "source": true }, "icon": "lucide-file", - "title": "Tools to try with AI" + "title": "ThinkPad Recommendations" } } ] @@ -181,10 +181,10 @@ "state": { "type": "file-properties", "state": { - "file": "100 inbox/Tools to try with AI.md" + "file": "000 daily/ThinkPad Recommendations.md" }, "icon": "lucide-info", - "title": "File properties for Tools to try with AI" + "title": "File properties for ThinkPad Recommendations" } } ], @@ -209,10 +209,13 @@ }, "active": "29ff3dd1c6bfd474", "lastOpenFiles": [ + "100 inbox/Tools to try with AI.md", + "000 daily/ThinkPad Recommendations.md", + "000 daily/ThinkPad Recommendations/ThinkPad Recommendations.md", + "000 daily/ThinkPad Recommendations", "400 resources/460 Family Archive/Joan Gilligan - Respite.md", "400 resources/460 Family Archive/Harry Trip Lorne Friends.md", "200 projects/260 Build Create Make/Digital Binoculars.md", - "100 inbox/Tools to try with AI.md", "400 resources/410 Web Pages/Website Design AI.md", "400 resources/410 Web Pages/Metasploit Osint - security hacking.md", "400 resources/410 Web Pages/Sn0int Osint - security hacking.md", @@ -234,8 +237,6 @@ "500 archive/510 Daily/Yarra Valley Water.md", "400 resources/470 Holidays Travel/Italy Ski House.md", "500 archive/510 Daily", - "000 daily/Untitled.md", - "300 areas/305 Ideas Businesses/Electronics Hobbyist Automated Store.md", "300 areas/305 Ideas Businesses", "400 resources/470 Holidays Travel", "Untitled.canvas", @@ -244,7 +245,6 @@ "500 archive/530 Areas", "500 archive/520 Projects", "graphify-out/2026-05-22_2/manifest.json", - "graphify-out/2026-05-22_2/graph.json", - "graphify-out/2026-05-22_2" + "graphify-out/2026-05-22_2/graph.json" ] } \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/.trash/ThinkPad Recommendations.md b/.trash/ThinkPad Recommendations.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..94d91ed --- /dev/null +++ b/.trash/ThinkPad Recommendations.md @@ -0,0 +1,74 @@ +# ThinkPad Recommendations for NixOS + Coding + +## Top Two Picks + +### 1. Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 1 (AMD) — **Best Overall** ⭐ +| Spec | Detail | +|---|---| +| **Release** | 2020 (6 years old) | +| **CPU** | AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650U (6c/12t) or Ryzen 7 PRO 4750U (8c/16t) | +| **RAM** | 8GB soldered + 1x SODIMM slot (max ~40GB) | +| **Storage** | 1x M.2 NVMe | +| **GPU** | Radeon RX Vega 6/7/8 (great for Wayland/Niri) | +| **Price (AUD)** | ~00–00 | +| **Secure Boot** | Easily disabled in BIOS — no lock-in | + +### 2. Lenovo ThinkPad T480 — **Budget / Max-Upgrade Pick** 💰 +| Spec | Detail | +|---|---| +| **Release** | 2018 (8 years old) | +| **CPU** | Intel 8th Gen i5-8250U (4c/8t) or i7-8650U (4c/8t) | +| **RAM** | **2x SODIMM slots** — fully upgradable to 64GB | +| **Storage** | 1x M.2 NVMe + 2.5" SATA bay | +| **Battery** | Dual hot-swappable (internal + external) | +| **GPU** | Intel UHD 620 (fine for Niri) | +| **Price (AUD)** | ~00–50 | + +--- + +## Generation Differences (T14 series) + +| Gen | Year | AMD CPU | Key Changes | +|---|---|---|---| +| Gen 1 | 2020 | Ryzen 4000 (Zen 2) | First T14 — 8GB soldered + 1 slot | +| Gen 2 | 2021 | Ryzen 5000 (Zen 3) | Same chassis, CPU bump | +| Gen 3 | 2022 | Ryzen 6000 (Zen 3+) | **USB4**, DDR5, better iGPU | +| Gen 4 | 2023 | Ryzen 7040 (Zen 4) | Newer CPU, minor refresh | +| Gen 5 | 2024 | Ryzen 8040 (Zen 4) | Latest | + +> **Note:** Gen 1 AMD was the last affordable sweet spot. Gen 3+ get pricey second-hand. The T480 is older but uniquely has 2x SODIMM slots — all T14 models have soldered RAM. + +--- + +## Why Ryzen over Intel for This? + +|| **AMD Ryzen (T14 G1)** | **Intel (T14 G1)** | +|---|---|---| +| Multi-core perf | **~60-80% faster** (6-8 cores) | 4-core, struggles with compilation | +| iGPU (Wayland/Niri) | **Radeon Vega** — excellent driver, smooth compositing | Intel UHD — works but weaker | +| Battery life | **Better** — Ryzen 4000 efficient | Worse on 10th gen Intel | +| Thunderbolt | ❌ No (but USB-C DP works fine) | ✅ Yes (Intel version only) | +| Price second-hand | **Cheaper than Intel version** (less demand) | Often priced higher | + +The Ryzen 4000 series was a **generational leap** — AMD jumped from 4 cores to 6-8 cores while Intel was still on 4 cores with 10th gen. For coding (compilation, VMs, NixOS builds), the extra cores make a huge difference. + +--- + +## Secure Boot / Lock-in Note + +The "signed" problem you hit was Secure Boot. Both the T480 and T14 let you disable it trivially: +1. F1 at boot → Security → Secure Boot → **Disabled** +2. Boot NixOS installer + +No signed drivers, no Pluton chip, no Microsoft gatekeeping. + +--- + +## Bottom Line + +| If you want... | Get this | +|---|---| +| Best performance for coding | **T14 Gen 1 AMD Ryzen 7** (~00-650 AUD) | +| Cheapest entry + max upgradeability | **T480 i5** (~00-400 AUD) + upgrade RAM/storage later | + +**Search eBay AU:** "ThinkPad T14 Gen 1 AMD Ryzen" or "ThinkPad T480" \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/000 daily/ThinkPad Recommendations.md b/000 daily/ThinkPad Recommendations.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..087bc37 --- /dev/null +++ b/000 daily/ThinkPad Recommendations.md @@ -0,0 +1,75 @@ +# ThinkPad Recommendations for NixOS + Coding + +## Top Two Picks + +### 1. Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 1 (AMD) — **Best Overall** ⭐ +| Spec | Detail | +|---|---| +| **Release** | 2020 (6 years old) | +| **CPU** | AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650U (6c/12t) or Ryzen 7 PRO 4750U (8c/16t) | +| **RAM** | 8GB soldered + 1x SODIMM slot (max ~40GB) | +| **Storage** | 1x M.2 NVMe | +| **GPU** | Radeon RX Vega 6/7/8 (great for Wayland/Niri) | +| **Price (AUD)** | ~$400–$700 | +| **Secure Boot** | Easily disabled in BIOS — no lock-in | + +### 2. Lenovo ThinkPad T480 — **Budget / Max-Upgrade Pick** 💰 +| Spec | Detail | +|---|---| +| **Release** | 2018 (8 years old) | +| **CPU** | Intel 8th Gen i5-8250U (4c/8t) or i7-8650U (4c/8t) | +| **RAM** | **2x SODIMM slots** — fully upgradable to 64GB | +| **Storage** | 1x M.2 NVMe + 2.5" SATA bay | +| **Battery** | Dual hot-swappable (internal + external) | +| **GPU** | Intel UHD 620 (fine for Niri) | +| **Price (AUD)** | ~$300–$550 | +| **Secure Boot** | Easily disabled — no lock-in | + +--- + +## Generation Differences (T14 Series) + +| Gen | Year | AMD CPU | Key Changes | +|---|---|---|---| +| Gen 1 | 2020 | Ryzen 4000 (Zen 2) | First T14 — 8GB soldered + 1 slot | +| Gen 2 | 2021 | Ryzen 5000 (Zen 3) | Same chassis, CPU bump | +| Gen 3 | 2022 | Ryzen 6000 (Zen 3+) | **USB4**, DDR5, better iGPU | +| Gen 4 | 2023 | Ryzen 7040 (Zen 4) | Newer CPU, minor refresh | +| Gen 5 | 2024 | Ryzen 8040 (Zen 4) | Latest | + +> **Note:** Only the T480 has 2x full SODIMM slots. All T14 models (Gen 1–5) have soldered RAM + 1 slot. Gen 1 AMD is the sweet spot for value. + +--- + +## Why Ryzen over Intel for This? + +| | **AMD Ryzen (T14 G1)** | **Intel (T14 G1)** | +|---|---|---| +| Multi-core perf | **~60–80% faster** (6–8 cores) | 4-core, struggles with compilation | +| iGPU (Wayland/Niri) | **Radeon Vega** — excellent driver, smooth compositing | Intel UHD — works but weaker | +| Battery life | **Better** — Ryzen 4000 is efficient | Worse on 10th gen Intel | +| Thunderbolt | ❌ No (but USB-C DP works fine) | ✅ Yes (Intel version only) | +| Price second-hand | **Cheaper** (less demand) | Often priced higher | + +The Ryzen 4000 series was a **generational leap** — AMD jumped from 4 cores to 6–8 cores while Intel was still stuck on 4 cores with 10th gen. For coding (compilation, VMs, NixOS builds), the extra cores make a huge difference. + +--- + +## Secure Boot / Lock-in Note + +The "signed" problem you hit was **Secure Boot**. Both the T480 and T14 let you disable it trivially: +1. F1 at boot → Security → Secure Boot → **Disabled** +2. Boot NixOS installer + +No signed drivers, no Pluton chip, no Microsoft gatekeeping. These are **freedom-friendly machines**. + +--- + +## Bottom Line + +| If you want... | Get this | +|---|---| +| Best performance for coding | **T14 Gen 1 AMD Ryzen 7** (~$500–$650 AUD) | +| Cheapest entry + max upgradeability | **T480 i5** (~$300–$400 AUD) + upgrade RAM/storage later | + +**Search eBay AU:** `"ThinkPad T14 Gen 1 AMD Ryzen"` or `"ThinkPad T480"`