Comment by _iyig

4 years ago

This is the reason I needed to switch to a Linux laptop. I cannot be beholden to Apple’s - or anyone’s - servers when it comes to running applications on my own machine.

Any recommendations? I’ve heard good things about System76.

14 comments

_iyig

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eulers_secret  4 years ago

System 76 makes a nice looking thin/light 14" laptop (Lemur pro).

Dell's XPS 13 line has Linux support (the Dev Edition comes with Ubuntu), I bought one of these and it's great. Only big problem was thermald/RAPL would keep the SOC at 15W after a very short 'boost' - updating to master fixed this problem... but Linux still requires 'tweaking'.

Another example: sleep on the XPS is not S3, but S2Idle - so it uses extra power when sleeping (A compromise so it wakes up faster). This can be fixed with some tweaking, if desired.

I've also heard good things about Lenovo laptops running Linux.

I'd check the archwiki (even if you don't want to run arch) for any laptop you're considering. There's good advice in the articles.

If I had to buy again, I'd look closer at what S76 offers. I really liked my old Chromebook Pixel 1 because of its open firmware (after I re-flashed) and excellent Linux support. I wish I had looked closer at S76, honestly.

  • noisy_boy  4 years ago

    I always wanted to have a Thinkpad but couldn't afford it - finally bought X1 Extreme Gen 2 and put Pop_OS! (System76's distribution built on top of Ubuntu) on it. Everything including fingerprint scanner works; I once had it hang when resuming from suspend but I mostly don't use sleep/suspend so wasn't too bothered. If you buy the laptop from System76, I would assume everything would basically just work since they are configuring everything.

JeremyNT  4 years ago

System76 just rebadges Clevo laptops. You may as well just go directly to Clevo.

I use a Dell xps13 (several years old now) for work, and it's fine. I have no complaints except that the aging battery is not what it used to be (I'd normally be due for a replacement system this year, but we're limping along on old hardware due to the recession).

I can't understand how picky people seem to be about things like the MacBook touchpad. Since my last Apple computer purchase was well over a decade ago, maybe I just don't know what I'm missing, but the touchpad on the Dell seems to control my pointer well enough.

bkallus  4 years ago

I started with Manjaro, and I would definitely recommend it. I tried to switch to Linux a few times before I arrived at Manjaro, and it was the perfect introduction. It's based on Arch, so you get the most up-to-date packages, but it has a graphical installer and is beginner-friendly. If you can't find something in the default repositories, it's probably in the AUR (user-maintained repositories). Plus, it's just really fun to use.

the_duke  4 years ago

Linux runs perfectly fine on most laptops nowadays - pick whatever you like.

(it's still prudent to Google for compatibility before the purchase though, since sometimes peripherals (like the webcam) on new models can be problematic)

cylinder714  4 years ago

I've had no problems running Linux and OpenBSD on a refurbished Thinkpad T420, provided it's not using Nvidia graphics.

mekster  4 years ago

It's funny to see people run around in panic for 1 little temporary problem and seek alternatives which could make them panic even more often.