this post was submitted on 02 Aug 2024
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Hello. I have never used Linux before in my life, but this post isn't really about the software. I know there are many guides and threads out there explaining how to set up Linux for beginners.

My question is more about what computers you guys suggest for Linux. I don't have any old computers lying around at home, I only have a computer assigned by my school that I'll turn in next year. To my understanding, Linux should be able to work on almost all computers, so I haven't thought about a specific brand.

My top priorities are (in order):

  • good/great battery life
  • quiet
  • compact and lightweight

Preferably a 13" or 15" screen, though I prefer the former. Just a small machine with a great battery life that also doesn't make much noise when several apps are open at once. I have looked at Asus before, but I'm not sure what the general consensus is of this brand, so I was hoping to get some suggestions. I've also looked at Framework computers, but honestly it's a bit expensive for me. My budget is ~1000$ (10 000 SEK).

Might be unnecessary information, but: I will be using this computer mainly to write documents, make the occasional presentations, browse the web, and watch videos and movies. So no photo- or video editing nor gaming at all. Like everybody, I hope to buy a computer that will last many years and survive many student theses. Cheers and thanks!

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[–] priapus@sh.itjust.works 2 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

I personally love my Framework 13. Not sure if the battery life is up to your standard, but the new models are plenty enough for me.

[–] HotsauceHurricane@lemmy.one 2 points 3 months ago

Sounds like you need a higher end chromebook. I used Mr. Chromebox to load linux onto my Lenovo.

[–] kittenzrulz123@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Get a Librebooted Thinkpad T440p or similar and then upgrade it (SSD, 16gb ram, etc).

[–] lud@lemm.ee 2 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Or a normal booted ThinkPad if you don't really care about that (I personally don't) it will be able to run Linux regardless.

[–] kittenzrulz123@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Yeah but if a laptop is old enough to support Libreboot that means it was released before Lenovo messed it up

[–] lud@lemm.ee 2 points 3 months ago (1 children)

How did they mess up?

Also isn't a laptop from 2014 (?) kinda pushing it when it comes to laptops?

I can't be much more expensive to get a laptop that's much better in pretty much every way.

Unrelated but I really wish modern ThinkPads had a think light.

[–] kittenzrulz123@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 points 3 months ago (1 children)

I'm pretty sure the T440p is the newest one and it's 2013. They messed up in the sense that modern Thinkpads are starting to solder components and overall the build quality is worse.

[–] lud@lemm.ee 1 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) (1 children)

Maybe the build quality is a bit worse but it's not bad. My x280 is doing great and I would absolutely not replace it with an older machine (even if that machine had a think light)

And I much rather have soldered components from 2018 (or something) than non soldered from a decade ago

But sure, there is nothing wrong with running old machines yourself. I just wouldn't recommend it to people that ask for a laptop unless they specifically request it.

[–] kittenzrulz123@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Repairability and upgradability are incredibly important factors, when my computer breaks why should I need to buy a new one? Heck why should it break at all, old computers were built to last.

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[–] bloodfart@lemmy.ml 0 points 3 months ago

Get an Apple, thinkpad or dell.

The main thing that determines if a computer can be repaired is parts availability. Those three have great parts availability almost universally.

If you wanna run macOS you need a Mac. The t480 is a good recommendation for thinkpads, but don’t worry about ssds or ram yet, just get the one with the processor and display you want (it’s the midrange 8th gen ones). I don’t know the dell world enough to make a recommendation but someone will do so.

Use the gentoo and arch wikis to check what problems people have out of the box with whatever model you’re looking at.

People will say you need amd. This is either paranoid or based on recent events. Neither apply to you.

People will say to get a framework or some equivalent. They’re expensive and a moral/ethical statement. This doesn’t apply to you.

[–] Agility0971@lemmy.world -1 points 3 months ago (5 children)

I can reccomend huawei laptops with metal chassis. I've had my matebook x pro for around 6 years. My past laptops made of plastic disentegrted over time

[–] possiblylinux127@lemmy.zip 1 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Chinese so not a great option

[–] Agility0971@lemmy.world 1 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) (1 children)

So there are safe countries and non safe countries now? Whats the difference?

[–] possiblylinux127@lemmy.zip 1 points 3 months ago

I would avoid non Democratic countries. I especially wouldn't use Huawei as they have been cause putting backdoors in network equipment. You could argue that they got the idea from the NSA but I don't think the answer is to fight fire with fire.

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[–] GustavoM@lemmy.world -2 points 3 months ago (5 children)

I will be using this computer mainly to write documents, make the occasional presentations, browse the web, and watch videos and movies. So no photo- or video editing nor gaming at all.

Then go for a Raspberry pi 3. (No, not rpi 4 or the rpi 5 one). It's cheap, with a power draw low enough to leave it running 24/7 (it will not increase your energy bills by the slightest). Downside is that you'll have to learn some Linux "tricks" that will (definitely) "grind your gears", but eh.... it'll be a fun ride if you are willing to lose some sanity for the sake of enjoying a "It's like nothing is happening to my power bills at all!" power of the convenience it'll bring to your life and your lifestyle as well.

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[–] Professorozone@lemmy.world -5 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Ummm, good luck. When I tried to use Linux on a new machine I built and had a bunch of problems, people on the forums told me to wait six months for someone to write drivers for the components.

[–] cyberpunk007@lemmy.ca 2 points 3 months ago (1 children)

I built an amd system with Nvidia graphics card in 2019 and it works fine. Wi-Fi Bluetooth Ethernet 144hz display etc all work fine.

[–] Professorozone@lemmy.world 1 points 3 months ago (1 children)

LOL. Got totally down voted for simply explaining what happened. Glad it worked for you. It didn't work for me. This was probably 10 years ago. I made a dual boot system and the internet simply wouldn't work in Linux, so I had to keep booting into Windows, research, then switch to Linux to implement. Lather, rinse, repeat.

If Windows 11 is as bad as they say, guess I'll be experimenting with it again.

[–] cyberpunk007@lemmy.ca 1 points 3 months ago

I remember these dark times... It got a bit easier when smartphones were more prevalent.

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