How to choose a computer/laptop/device that is better compatible with linux? Are there certain things to look out for when shopping?

I apologize if this has been asked a ton, still migrating to lemmy. Still stuck on crappy reddit out of habbit, but i’ve found the lemmy universe to be much more helpful.

Basically I’ve had a Dell Xps 13 9310 laptop for 4-5 years maybe? and I’ve put the thing through hell and back. Always (I believe) fixing it though and bringing it back to life. However, it seemed as if any linux distro i ever installed always had some sort of problems. I don’t know Linux well enough yet to be able to trouble shoot because it seems there’s many different routes to do it in Linux.

I’ve gone through so many distros and DEs and have tried everything on this thing. Well I think I finally bricked it after tinkering around with it. So I’m trying to plan a new budget setup.

I’ve always been a laptop guy because I love being able to lay on the couch by the TV and also have my laptop right there in front of me. I suppose im open to a small form or mini form desktop or box and just get a small display and a wireless keyboard/touchpad combo.

I just don’t know how to find what’s better compatible with linux. I see so much talk about “X” computers being great for Linux and to avoid “Y” computers because they dont work well with Linux (which I found out the newer Dells kinda suck. becoming more locked down and proprietary like Apple). I know there’s companys like Tuxedo or Pine or Pop Os that sell their specific Linux friendly devices, but those are all too expensive for me.

I’m looking for a machine that can easily handle Linux but also handle I guess a system or network, basically something strong enough to be a stable link in my entire network; if that makes sense. Because I have many plans for things I want to learn about and add to my network or system down the road. Also something durable and fairly user friendly.

The million dollar question(s)… how am I supposed to know which machines are better or even “compatible” with Linux? like all linux distros or flavors? I ran into a firmware/driver issue with my Dell and linux… they provided only a handful of drivers/firmware for ONLY Ubuntu 20.04. super limited and meant as a windows machine. As far as ram and storage, those are probably not pertinent and more of personal preference. But I guess it boils down to things like the cpu, gpu, ram, idk, whatever is important for Linux? any tips or advice is greatly appreciated. I want to finally take this serious and ensure I have the right equipment for what I want to do instead of falling for the newest, shiny things lol. Thanks

Petter1,

I just collect junk from my friends and install Linux on them, lol, you get what you get and make it work

Macaroni9538,

It’s just that my model is a newer generation Dell and I’ve heard from multiple people that Dell is getting more and more locked down and proprietary like Apple, so im thinking that’s why I haven’t had the best linux experience on this darn thing.

Petter1,

Have tried openSuse together with the community repo “packman”? OpenSuse was best distro with compatible driver yet.

BeatTakeshi,
@BeatTakeshi@lemmy.world avatar

On the other hand… threads.ruin.io/comment/247004lemmy.ml/post/35749

Macaroni9538,

yes Ive heard they are good too, but i’ve been having issues with mine. it came with windows pre-installed, i doubt that plays much of a role but Idk. like the system is naturally fitted for windows only, so the linux experience has been a little rough around the edges. I have no clue, just a thought maybe

stella,

Buy it, install Linux, see if it works.

If it doesn’t, return it and buy something else.

Computers usually have 30-days no questions asked return policies.

If you’re listening to people that say to buy specific things, then odds are you going to be paying more for less.

Don’t let their theory replace your experience.

Macaroni9538,

Well that’s the thing, I can’t afford to buy new where you can just return it and all that; I’ll most likely be buying a refurb or used or older but new piece of equipment or possibly piecing together my own, depending on what i can learn about what I need for a smooth and easily fixable linux system

thecrotch,

I usually go for business level dells, like latitudes. They’re the go-to for corporations so they’re usually pretty well supported simply because they’re so common

Macaroni9538,

I have also heard this sentiment, that enterprise/business level hardware is best, even for personal use

WindowsEnjoyer,

I think your best bet is Framework laptops. If not, ThinkPads have superior Linux support.

Otherwise, pick your favorite model and read online. Also see if you can find your preferred model on Arch Wiki (laptop page).

Myself some time ago I’ve purchased Asus laptop. Spent quite some time (hobby) to get everything working (e.g. fan control) and documented everything in Arch Wiki.

Then I’ve got Asus Zenbook. Also had to participate in kernel bug report and test, because there were no audio. Eventually it got fixed in upstream and started to work.

Then I’ve got MSI gaming laptop. Had to participate in Intel DRM code issue, because 2K 240Hz panel was limited to 2K60Hz mode and eventually it got fixed too in upstream. Few workarounds are there and there, but eventually got it to work almost 100%, but audio is a bit…broken. Works fine, just first few secs after silence are silent.

Basically what I am trying to tell - manufacturers might introduce software-controlled hardware features that might work only in Windows. It requires experience and extensive knowledge to make everything manageable on Linux. :)

InputZero,

A warning about Framework, they’re on the bleeding edge of modular laptop design (not hardware). So while they may shift laptop design entirely, the bleeding edge always cuts. I don’t know anyone with a Framework laptop and if you’re the first person you know IRL to have one be prepared for unexpected issues. I really hope the idea takes off but I don’t envy the first adopters.

ShitOnABrick,
@ShitOnABrick@lemmy.world avatar

Generally it doesnt really matter but if you can it’s best to avoid using nvidia gpus although they will work under Linux they don’t have as good support doesn’t mean you can’t use a nvidia gpu under linux if you want or have to I mean I’ve got a nvidia gpu in my gaming laptop and while it’s a pain to setup it works somewhat well for gaming

Macaroni9538,

Oh no, I couldn’t care less about graphics, but at the same time I don’t want a potato lol so no Nvidia for me

ShitOnABrick,
@ShitOnABrick@lemmy.world avatar

You’ll be fine just get whatever has best price to performance nvidia intel or amd generally amd gpus are best for linux because of there driver support but its still shit a good exanple of this is the r7 370s last drivers being made in 2015

bustrpoindextr,

Honestly people over do it with the Nvidia complaints.

Nvidia provides a rock solid driver for Linux. If you are a general consumer it works really really well and it’s easy to install.

Here’s the actual historical issue people have with Nvidia on Linux: it’s a closed source binary which is contradictory to the ethos of Linux.

But he’s the rub, Nvidia open sourced some shit this year, not all of it, but they’re becoming more open about the GPU drivers. But shitting on Nvidia is a hard habit to break lol

null,

Here, take some of these: . . . . , , , , ,

ShitOnABrick,
@ShitOnABrick@lemmy.world avatar

Punctuation I’ve never heard of it what is this Punctuation

AlexanderESmith,
@AlexanderESmith@kbin.social avatar

@ShitOnABrick

I've been using nVidia cards on laptops with Ubuntu much exclusively for ~15 years . Only problem I've ever had was once when I accidentally uninstalled something using apt-get and it took the nvidia drivers with it (because I'm was stupid).

msage,

Do you mean like System76?

Macaroni9538,

What the heck is System76??? I see it everywhere but only affiliated with Pop OS

turbowafflz,

They make computers designed for linux, Pop OS is their default operating system for the computers they make

Macaroni9538,

Gotcha! I browsed their site a bit. I’d have to check ebay because I cannot afford the prices on their new stuff lol. I have a question that maybe you can answer. alot of folks recommend older laptops or whatever for linux. Does age of the computer matter much? I know you can always make upgrades to the internals and such, but say I got an old thinkpad for example maybe from 2010… and it’s certified linux compatible and all that… would i be able to run the latest versions of distros or would i be limited to older kernels due to the system being old? or is all of that determined by the hardware specs?

msage,

You don’t need certified Linux hardware to use Linux, and hardware is supported for a really long time once it’s there.

So you don’t have to worry about using latest distros, you should always welcome every update, they fix and add new things (unless it’s Ubuntu, screw them). And if you have new unsupported hardware, it will usually be supported in the next kernel release.

Meaning if you go with usual x86 CPU, Linux won’t have issues with almost anything that comes with it.

rollerbang,

Maybe Slimbook? I haven’t bought one yet but it’s definitely on my close watch.

slimbook.es/en/

AlexanderESmith,
@AlexanderESmith@kbin.social avatar

@Macaroni9538

I've been using Clevo laptops for years. Large user base, lots of great Linux support. I just run Ubuntu, haven't had many issues (and no critical issues).

They usually get rebranded, and I've gotten them through IBuyPower, Origin, and... can't remember the other one. My most recent one was just straight up marketed as a Clevo, got it on Amazon.

You might have one or two odd issues (like having to install custom code to configure the RGB key backlights), but there are plenty of users to ask for assistance on various forums and repos.

woelkchen,
@woelkchen@lemmy.world avatar

Avoid NVidia graphics and Broadcom WiFi.

maeries, (edited )

Wifi is usually easy and cheap to swap in case thats the only thing that bothers you with a laptop

AnUnusualRelic,
@AnUnusualRelic@lemmy.world avatar

I’ll assume that was meant to be WiFi. It’s indeed one of the few components that’s easy to swap (a new one is about 30€), as long as it’s accessible (it usually is).

rotopenguin,
@rotopenguin@infosec.pub avatar

It may be modular, but many OEMs have the BIOS block out any other component you put in there. Neat, huh?

Macaroni9538,

Thanks, didn’t know about the Broadcom wifi part.

Bizarroland,
@Bizarroland@kbin.social avatar

The 2060 in my Lenovo legion seems to work pretty well

Ringmasterincestuous,

Fucking Broadcom wifi 😤

Flaky,
@Flaky@iusearchlinux.fyi avatar

Same. The moment I got a card with Wifi from Intel, it was so much better.

phx,

AMD or Intel Graphics. Intel networking, Atheros, or a chipset that is known to be friendly with Linux.

CPU support is fairly diverse.

Sound is fairly well supported but with some devices can be a surprise, as are touchpads. Touchscreen and webcams are generally a bit more dubious.

With desktops, I very rarely have issues but it’s also easier to pick my own hardware. For laptops, I usually don’t buy something that’s new to market unless the component models are known to work. If it’s been around for a bit I can usually Google comments by somebody else who’s got one and tried to run Linux on it.

Frederic,

I always had chance installing Linux on Dell Latitude laptops. MX Linux works flawlessly, everything.

Macaroni9538,

Ok I have always heard Latitudes and thinkpads up to a certain model or generation are good for Linux

starman,
@starman@programming.dev avatar

Check out framework laptops

Macaroni9538,

Thanks, will check out

Flaky,
@Flaky@iusearchlinux.fyi avatar

For near-guaranteed compatibility, there are dedicated manufacturers like System76 and Tuxedo. Framework also claims Linux compatibility but for set tested distros (Ubuntu and Fedora).

Generally, anything with Intel/AMD graphics and Intel Wifi is pretty much guaranteed to work in my experience. For laptops, high-DPI displays can be problematic but the fixes are on Wayland which is getting higher priority now.

Macaroni9538,

ahh i think my dell xps 13 has a higher DPI and I always run Xorg or X11 or whatever it’s called

oldGregg,

deleted_by_author

    •
    pete_the_cat,

    Do you also drink Bailey’s from a shoe?

    zaph,

    Do you have neck problems because of your giant brain?

    oldGregg,

    deleted_by_author

    •
    zaph,

    Weird way to take a compliment

    OddFed,
    @OddFed@feddit.de avatar

    tuxedocomputers.com

    oh_gosh_its_osh,
    @oh_gosh_its_osh@lemmy.ml avatar

    Fully agree. Even though OP mentioned it, I personally find that the prices compared to others (Dell, Lenovo Thinkpads) way more affordable.

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