Windows+Linux Hardware Question

[jasnw]

I am needing to move from a 2024 Mac Mini M2Pro to a Windows 11 box with AlmaLinux in a VM. Not my choice, but macOS is deemed unacceptable (don't ask). I haven't run a Windows+Linux box since 2003 when macOS 10.3 (Panther) made it possible for me to do everything on one OS, so I'm completely out of date RE hardware and software. I'd like to have a small-footprint desktop system (not a laptop), as quiet as possible, that can match the non-threaded performance of the Mini M2Pro. I'm not doing gaming and don't need hot graphics. Most of what I do is either on the command line in a Terminal window or in one of the MS Office apps. I need both Windows and Linux because I need the Office apps (no FOSS alternatives) and a Linux command line.

So, what Windows hardware would be the best fit? The Mini M2Pro cost me under $1,000 - can I come anywhere near to this price and still hit the M2Pro performance (and Mini silence)?

 

[maflynn]

Take a look at System 76 products, they're one of the few companies that market and sell computers specifically for Linux, in fact they have their own distro (pop_os which is pretty good). I'd probably look to run windows in a virtualized environment within linux but I suppose dual booting may be a requirement.

Lenovo has good hardware and they're generally pretty good when it comes to linux

Finally, go to reddit and search up the sub for your distro of choice and ask which hardware recommendations they have and what hardware to avoid

 

[jasnw]

Thanks. I'll need to run AlmaLinux (another external requirement) and I hadn't considered running Windows in the VM rather than Linux. I've done dual-boot in the past and would rather not go there unless absolutely necessary. I'd almost rather buy two boxes and a KVM switch. I had already been thinking about System76 as my next base machine if macOS continues on it's downward spiral.