Hi, want to buy some used hardware to run with Linux (Gnome DE ON Mint, Debian OR ElementaryOS). Mainly Office use, transcoding, but also for casual gaming Half-life 2 and maybe some more modern games.

Are Thinkpads with integrated GPUs sufficient for that? Any nice alternatives which are sturdy and can be upgraded?

TIA!

EDIT: thank you for all the helpful input. Will check AMD options!

  • cmnybo@discuss.tchncs.de
    ·
    22 days ago

    Modern games are not going to run well. Look for a Thinkpad with a Thunderbolt 3 port (make sure it actually has 4 PCIe lanes, some only have 2) and use an eGPU. Retro games will run fine on integrated graphics though.

  • bloodfart@lemmy.ml
    ·
    22 days ago

    Yes it’s fine stay away from the discrete gpus there’s not adequate cooling for their extended use.

  • wallmenis@lemmy.one
    ·
    22 days ago

    I can reliably play wii on an x230. I am pretty sure you can go ahead and play unless it is ps2 or xbox og or anything newer (wii/gamecube excluded)

  • ChicagoCommunist [none/use name]
    ·
    22 days ago

    If you have good Internet then GeForce Now or maybe another game streaming service may be adequate for outlier games. I play a bunch of older games decently on my T450 with no graphics card, but if a modern game pops up I can still stream it. That way I don't have to spend another few hundred bucks on a better laptop just for the occasional game.