Help with laptop buying decision

I’m looking for a new work laptop and I’d like to jump to Linux at the same time. I was hoping to get some input from here because I’m still undecided!

Maybe some context first : the switch is not urgent. My current machine still works. I’d like to change it because of a few quirks and problems (for me) it has, it will find a happy owner afterwards. As for the job, I’m a dev (mostly Java and web). I need something that can run a few docker containers, multiple instances of intellij, but that’s pretty much it and it’s not a complicated requirement to fill. Also, I’m in Europe.

I’ve been looking mostly at Tuxedo and Framework, with a preference for the later 16 inch model.

Does anybody have experience with Linux support on the framework 16? With, for example, Fedora? Other than that, any recommendation / thing to pay attention to? I have some experience with Linux but it’s been a while since I’ve run it as a desktop os, and my knowledge has never been in depth, so any help will be greatly appreciated :)

Deckweiss,

linux-hardware.org

this resrource was a blessing for me. You can search for laptop models and see exactly what works/doesn’t work under which distro.

pegazz,

Wow thanks! I didn’t know this existed, this is great!

tobistokles,

I have a 1st Gen Framework and don’t recommend it.

Battery life in standby is TERRIBLE, we are talking 40% overnight (after optimizations) and very rarely the notebook wakes up randomly.

The build-quality is better than cheaper laptops, but definitely worse than my old Thinkpad. Although the keyboard is better than many consumer laptops, it feels a lot mushier than my Thinkpad’s. Several keys have lost their cover already and the display hinges are wobbly & feel cheap. I also got small spot with burn-in on the display. After 2 years the Framework looks worse than my 6-year-old X1 Yoga.

Linux support is okay, most things work out of the box. However, it’s far from perfect and absolutely not a First Class experience. For example, there is currently no way to get the most recent BIOS via Linux and apparently we are months away from a solution. In Fedora 39 Silverblue I experience very rare freezes (according to Arch Wiki this is due to Intel and not a Framework-exclusive problem, I still want to mention it).

My next laptop will be a new or used Thinkpad again.

pegazz,

Thanks for the heads-up. I’ve seen that the first gen had a few issues, I understand your frustration. I even saw a solution involving soldering a wire onto the motherboard? My hope is that they got better as they gained experience, and that hardware support on Linux will only imrove with time.

BiggestBulb, (edited )
@BiggestBulb@kbin.run avatar

I don't have any experience with Tuxedo or Framework, so I can't really comment on those 😅

I have definitely heard Lenovo ThinkPads are great though, and I'm currently rocking a Lenovo Legion Slim 7 which has been fantastic so far (albeit I JUST got it and I'm rolling Windows on it with WSL2 Debian, so not exactly a pure Linux experience).

bobs_monkey,

I have a Carbon X1 10th gen, and it is a beast. 32gb ram, and I swapped in a 2tb SSD. Running Arch on it and it’s pretty flawless.

independantiste,
@independantiste@sh.itjust.works avatar

If you don’t want a clevo/tongfang laptop with a custom logo on the lid, look at Framework, Starlabs, Purism, Dell or Lenovo, though the last two don’t offer Linux on most models.

If you don’t really care about the OEM, but still want a “guaranteed” good Linux experience, then System76, Tuxedo or Slimbook should fit your needs. Just consider that Slimbook and Tuxedo are from Europe so you could get duties if you’re in the US

bobs_monkey,

Lenovo supports Linux directly. You can buy it with Ubuntu preloaded, and they also give instructions for you on their website.

andrew0,
@andrew0@lemmy.dbzer0.com avatar

The Framework 13 inch model should be plenty, especially if you want to dev on the go. Much more lightweight and smaller, and you can connect it to external monitors if the screen size is not big enough. Also, you shouldn’t have issues running Linux on either laptops.

Instead of going for the 16 version, I would use the extra 900-1000 euros (that’s the amount I saw I could save between the two almost maxed-out models) to make a dedicated server or mini-cluster to run your workloads. Deploy Kubernetes or Proxmox on it, and you’ll also get some more practice on it outside work if you want to run stuff for your home lab. That is only if you don’t want to game on your laptop, but I’d still put that money aside to make a desktop.

pegazz,

Thanks for the advice! The 16 is probably as overkill as you say, but I’ve come to prefer a larger machine to work on.

I already have Proxmox installed on a secondhand mini-pc (one of those NUC / thin-client like office machines) and it’s been a great way to (re)learn a few things indeed!

TCB13,
@TCB13@lemmy.world avatar

Want things to work really well and last that way? Get an HP EliteBook (not the latest model) and enjoy.

NotATurtle,

The framework 16 is a gaming laptop. The framework 13 should be enough for your needs.

slembcke,

Yeah, IIRC the 16 doesn’t have a significantly faster CPU than the 7840U in the 13. If you want a gaming laptop it sounds neat though!

haych,

My first choice would be a Framework, second choice System76.

just_another_person,

Framework is QA’d so much exactly for this purpose. Read their dev notes and announcements. Fantastic. You’ll have to wait in line awhile though.

cmat273,

Framework would be my first choice if I could afford it. Grab yourself an amd thinkpad from ebay

lautan,

Framework 13 AMD running PopOS no issues. It’s great.

wingsfortheirsmiles,

If I had to get a replacement for my current laptop that’d definitely be it

Sterben, (edited )
@Sterben@lemmy.ml avatar

My next Laptop will be Pangolin 15’ from System76. A bit on the expensive side, but the unlimited support and the right to repair make it worth it. Following the specs, so you can have a look.

Processor: AMD Ryzen™ 7 7735U: 2.7 up to 4.75 GHz - 8 Cores - 16 Threads • Screen: 15.6″ 1920×1080 FHD, Matte Finish, 144 Hz • Graphic: AMD Radeon™ 680M • Ram: 32 GB LPDDR5 up to 6400 MHz • Storage: 2 x M.2 SSD(PCIe NVMe). Up to 16TB total. • Expansion: 3 × USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 1 × USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, SD Card Reader • Networking: Gigabit Ethernet, WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2 • Video Ports: HDMI 2.0, USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C w/ DisplayPort 1.4 • Security: Kensington® Lock, Hardware Camera Kill Switch • Battery: Li-Ion - 70 Wh • Dimensions: 14.59″ × 9.76″ × 0.71″ (37.06 × 24.79 × 1.80 cm) • Weight: 1.79Kg • Price: 1,199US$

Like is not PRO, because you can do some light gaming on it, but definitely a good machine in my opinion.

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