To test distributions we primarily use a laptop.

This is preferred by us because many tests often happen in virtual machines and this is clearly slower, more error-prone and also has little to do with real life. Also, normal users tend to use laptops, at least now, rather than large desktop machines.

There is the added advantage that you can also test the touchpad, which we feel is important, as well as the operation of the system without a mouse – however, there is no touchscreen.

Furthermore, the system really accompanies you for a few days, sometimes even weeks, so that you get an impression and are also “forced” to deal with it in everyday life. Often, completely different problems come to light, which a superficial test simply cannot offer.

The laptop is from 2016, has 13 inches and is at least relatively strong, at least if you go by the time. It usually cannot keep up with current laptops, but it reflects the real world better. Because you can assume that people would rather “retrofit” old machines with Linux than buy extra new ones for it.

Overview: Acer Aspire V3

• Acer Aspire V3
• Intel Core i5 6267U (Dualcore, 28-35 Watt max, Skylake, 2 x 2,9 – 3,3 GHz)
• 8 Gigabyte RAM (2 slots)
• 256 GB SATA SSD (max ~512 MB/s)
• Intel Iris 550 Grafik (Shared Memory)
• 13,3 Zoll FullHD Display
• 2 x USB 2.0
• 1 x USB 3.0 in USB-A
• 1 x USB 3.0 in USB-C
• Dolby Audio