You should only be using an old computer

submitted by [deleted] from lukesmith.xyz

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[–]Optimus85 4 insightful - 2 fun4 insightful - 1 fun5 insightful - 2 fun -  (0 children)

"You might've heard that all Intel i3/i5/i7 processors (that is, after the Intel Core 2 Duo) have an onboard alternate processor that is meant to function as spyware. This is called the Intel Management Engine. It can view your memory and connect to the internet: basically all modern computers have this permanent back door. In older computers, say the ThinkPad X200, you can, with a little hardware action, remove the other processor and replace the proprietary BIOS with Libreboot or Coreboot, but that is not possible on more modern computers (you can install Coreboot on a more modern machine, but not all of the components of the Management Engine are removed)." He makes a very valid point.

[–]HiddenFox 4 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 0 fun5 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

I agree that with the argument of using old hardware. He was spot on. But when it came to linux vs. Windows ...

Linux is fine for the top 10% of users who understand computers. But the average user, linux isn't there yet.

The best way to back my statement is with an example. I have an epson wf-2750 printer. I use it for my business b/c I was able to mod it and add an ink reserve. Good luck getting that pronter to work on a linux build. I spent 2 hours plus learning all about how linux printing works.

In the end I was able to get it working. However, I use this printer to print invoices in a landscape format. The drive I ended up with didn't allow you to pre config your printers default settings. It was a very basic driver. In the end I gave up on it. Having to select printer options and landscape ever time was a minor problem but on the end just too frustrating.

With windows I plug in the usb and I'm done. 30 seconds in the device manager and my printer was working perfect. When linux is there then we will have a true alternative for the masses. But now, no way...

[–]iDontShift 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

have an epson wf-2750 printer

this is not a failing of linux, but a deliberate attack to keep them from being mainstream.

they try really hard to write drivers without specifications. it really is a bullshit situation.

if you care about getting away from folks that would do this to you..

then invest in finding a printer that actually works so you excuse for remain trapped in the windows world is a little more than.. i wasn't willing to upgrade my printer to be released from prison.

[–]solder0 4 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 0 fun5 insightful - 1 fun -  (9 children)

There are workarounds for the IME with the "vendor's privilege", and the PSP wasn't anywhere near to being that terrible. But what I am worried about now is this thing from microsoft called "pluton". Look that up! I am seriously fucking pissed off with this, it's enough to make me ditch x86 and go with Open Power (PowerPC).

God damn it, I was going to go with an APU and use the onboard graphics with a workstation gpu. AMD seems to be on the pluton train too. Fuck, just fuck. Luke makes a good point, but as someone who feels the way he does about technology, it's probably easy for him to feel this way. Old won't cut it forever.

[–][deleted] 7 insightful - 2 fun7 insightful - 1 fun8 insightful - 2 fun -  (5 children)

ARM processors are currently taking over Amazon AWS. Maybe there's hope for the x86 reign of terror ending. And holy jesus maybe this Pluton thing will help to accelerate it.

[–]magnora7 5 insightful - 2 fun5 insightful - 1 fun6 insightful - 2 fun -  (2 children)

ARM processors are currently taking over Amazon AWS.

Wow I didn't know that, that's surprising

[–][deleted] 3 insightful - 2 fun3 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 2 fun -  (1 child)

Well I'm exaggerating about the takeover part, but it's a thing. I think Amazon likes ARM for the lower power bills. ARM/Gravitron stuff is all over the AWS EC2 pricing lists.

https://aws.amazon.com/ec2/graviton/

[–]magnora7 5 insightful - 2 fun5 insightful - 1 fun6 insightful - 2 fun -  (0 children)

Huh interesting stuff. I guess it makes sense, since they were designed for low-power cell phones and then got mass-produced probably even more than x86 processors

[–]Optimus85 5 insightful - 1 fun5 insightful - 0 fun6 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

The Raspberry Pi is looking more and more attractive...

[–]solder0 4 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 0 fun5 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

I hear RISC-V might overtake ARM. ;)

[–][deleted] 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

What if you want to mine cryptocurrencies with CPU? I haven't seen any PowerPC options on my local market. Should I mine with GPU instead?

[–]solder0 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

That's a good point. I am going to stock up on some x86 dev board/SBC's to mine some monero. Look up odysee, or whatever it's called. It's from seeed studio. That might be good for that.

[–]LarrySwinger2 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

the PSP wasn't anywhere near to being that terrible.

Could you expand on that / provide links? There's no way to neutralize PSP, so I want to know exactly what it does. But how can we even know that when the code is proprietary?

[–]Gaydolf_Titler 3 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 0 fun4 insightful - 1 fun -  (2 children)

For those interested, here's the libreboot hardware compatibility list. Thinkpad X200 is the perfect choice. However, a lot of them selling on ebay are already modded with Libreboot or Coreboot, and priced accordingly. I'd check for local sales on CL, OU, etc. Got mine for $15.

[–][deleted] 3 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 0 fun4 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

X230 with backlit keys checking in.

[–]Gaydolf_Titler 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

Nice!

[–][deleted] 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

I usually buy refurbished computers from ebay. I'm not particular about the date. These are sometimes only 50 bucks but have very good/new hardware, more than what you'd expect, but no real brand name.

[–]LarrySwinger2 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

I disagree. Computers don't get slower, but the WWW becomes heavier and heavier, and for many old computers it's become too painful to browse. Even a simple HTML5 game doesn't run smoothly on my X220.

And as for Intel ME: it isn't that hard to neutralize it, I did it on my own computer recently. Even if you apply that on a newer computer where not all the code is deleted, you can be pretty sure it doesn't spy on you. After neutralization, Intel ME only runs during the startup process, and even then it doesn't have a TCP/IP stack.

Newer chips are faster and more efficient, so you get value for your money. If you don't do any intensive stuff, then weaker hardware will suffice. It's not like all new computers are crazy expensive.

Regarding breakability / hardware being hard to replace: that seems to only apply to laptops (unless something changed in desktop computers that I'm not aware of in the last 5 years). His advice does have more relevance in that area, also because older laptops have better keyboards. But the choice is limited. X220 is a go-to option, but again, it might not be capable of everything you want to do with it. Intel HD 3000 is a limitation. And the batteries of older laptops have degraded, so you have to get a 9-cell battery and carry more weight for less battery life.

[–]Reeeeeeeeeee 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

Computers do get slower without the proper care. Dust accumulation and not replacing thermal paste every year or 2 will significantly raise temperatures, forcing the processor to underclock and undervolt to not overheat, which lowers performance. Considering the averag3 person cleans dust out of their of maybe 0 to 2 times a year and has never heard of thermal paste, computers definitely slow.

[–]jykylsin2034 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

Imho just make an AMD custom build, only use high spec stuff if you really need it. Even for gaming, you'd be surprised the performance you get with average parts just by cleaning up the OS to not have shit running all the time, mainly for Windows

[–]LarrySwinger2 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

I mistrust Coreboot because there are many NSA agents in their team. Even though it's open-source, what I hear is that spooks who infiltrate such a project will push for complex code, and if the team isn't competent enough, they'll go along with it. As more and more complex code creeps into the software, it becomes vulnerable and hard to fix or maintain. How do you feel about this /u/Panzerfaust ?

[–]BuboTitan 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

Sure you can use a computer from 2008 if you don't mind the insanely long boot up times if you are using the latest windows.

We have a family computer from 2011 that I use occasionally and my smartphone has faster load times and more processing power. Sometimes just opening a folder requires a wait. And if you are running antivirus software, everything slows to a crawl.

Even if you are running a super light version of Windows, Chrome, or Linux, theres the issue of battery power. Batteries fail eventually and the sizes aren't standardized so that's another problem that gets worse every year.

[–]adultmanhwa 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

Absolutely, after using linux and experience how fast my computer went ... I feel scammed by the whole windowsy things.

[–]asterias 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

Isn't there a modern open source hardware solution that currently costs something like 10k? I forget its name but I think it was RISC based.