I'm mostly a Linux person. Haven't really used Windows in any measurable context since Windows XP. Typically I tend to use older hardware because it's cheaper and it suits my needs. I can order a computer or notebook with Windows 7 on it and either wipe the hard drive or (a lot times) replace the hard drive with a low capacity SSD and install Ubuntu and it's no problem. Probably most of the hardware I deal with is 7 to 10 years old, I don't think I've ever bought anything that came with Windows 10 preinstalled, if that gives some bearing on how old my typical hardware is.
I have a project that needs a bit more power - maybe a later generation i5 or i7 processor - and what I've come across all come with Windows 10 or use m.2 drives. My question is, if I bought just a new m.2 drive or SATA SSD, can I still just take out the hard drive in the computer/notebook and replace it and install Linux?
I seem to remember, way back when, that there was talk about locking hardware into a specific operating system. Is that a thing? Or was it ever a thing? I've never experienced such a thing, but I've always used older hardware.
Typically the reason I replace the drive - I typically don't need a lot of disk space, 120GB should be fine - is because it would be difficult to reinstall Windows, should the need ever arise to put Windows back on the machine. The added cost of buying a low capacity SSD or m.2 drive isn't that much and it gives me the safety net of it needs to have Windows, I can just pop the original hard drive back in. I don't really have a need for dual boot, because I'm either going to use Linux or give it to someone else and let them use Windows.
I have a project that needs a bit more power - maybe a later generation i5 or i7 processor - and what I've come across all come with Windows 10 or use m.2 drives. My question is, if I bought just a new m.2 drive or SATA SSD, can I still just take out the hard drive in the computer/notebook and replace it and install Linux?
I seem to remember, way back when, that there was talk about locking hardware into a specific operating system. Is that a thing? Or was it ever a thing? I've never experienced such a thing, but I've always used older hardware.
Typically the reason I replace the drive - I typically don't need a lot of disk space, 120GB should be fine - is because it would be difficult to reinstall Windows, should the need ever arise to put Windows back on the machine. The added cost of buying a low capacity SSD or m.2 drive isn't that much and it gives me the safety net of it needs to have Windows, I can just pop the original hard drive back in. I don't really have a need for dual boot, because I'm either going to use Linux or give it to someone else and let them use Windows.
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