Acer Aspire E 11 E3-112-C6YY is a nice 11 inch notebook which I found suitable for doing some work while commuting. And it costs only A$299 at Dick Smith (or on Ebay). Here is a step by step instruction how to setup Ubuntu 15.04 along with preinstalled Microsoft Windows 8.1 (dual boot):
- Before you begin it is better to install all pending updates to Windows 8.1 installed on the notebook.
- Download the latest desktop version of Ubuntu for amd64 architecture from cdimage.ubuntu.com/daily-live/current/, it is vivid-desktop-amd64.iso at this moment. Then create a bootable Ubuntu USB flash drive using Rufus. Choose GPT partition scheme for UEFI computer and Ubuntu ISO image just downloaded. You need an USB drive of 2GB or more. All data on this USB drive would be lost in the process.
- Create a recovery drive with the preinstalled Acer eRecovery Management application. Optional, but you take some risk not doing it. You would need an USB drive of 16GB or more, and all present data on that drive would be lost in the process.
- Shrink the main Windows partition (drive C:) by the amount you like to allocate for Ubuntu. Minimum required is just about 6.6GB, though I took the maximum possible (about 50% of 500GB drive).
- Turn off fast startup in Windows 8.1
- Insert USB drive with Ubuntu into USB port.
- Disable Secure Boot (select Notebook section at this link), and before exiting BIOS setup utility move the USB HDD to the top of the Boot priority list in the Boot menu. Save changes and exit.
- Now you should see the grub menu suggesting to select either try Ubuntu without installation, either install it. You may try it first to ensure everything works fine and then install it.
- When you chose to install Ubuntu the first step is to choose the language of the system. It is English by default.
- Next step is configuring Internet connection, usually via Wi-Fi. It is better to have it configured and run to be able to install updates during the installation.
- Then the installer checks requirements for successful installation: you should have enough free space; be plugged ti the power source; and be connected to the internet. You may tick boxes permitting to install updates and third-party software if you like.
- After that you need to select installation type. As we booting from UEFI enabled USB drive, choose the default: Install Ubuntu alongside Windows Boot Manager. Then hit Install Now and then confirm changes to be made. This is point of no return, you should finish installation passing beyond this point.
- In the next setup dialogues you choose your Time Zone; your keyboard layout; specify your name and the name of your laptop; choose username and password (if required) to be used.
- And now you need to wait until installation complete with the dialogue suggesting reboot the system to start using it. Reboot it and remove USB drive so the laptop would be booted... into Windows. That is expected.
- Move the mouse pointer to the bottom left corner and right click on the window icon and choose "Command Prompt (Admin)". Within the administrator's command prompt type the following command:
bcdedit /set "{bootmgr}" path \EFI\ubuntu\grubx64.efi - Shutdown Windows 8.1 again; power it on and hit F2 once Acer logo appears to enter BIOS setup utility. Move the USB HDD below HDD: xxxxxxx-xxx in the Boot priority list in the Boot menu. Save changes and exit.
- Now you should see GRUB menu suggesting to boot either Ubuntu, either Windows Boot Manager. Try to boot first Ubuntu; then Windows 8.1 to verify everything works fine.
