3 years ago I needed a new computer and decided on an 16 inch M1 Macbook Pro, but did lots of overthinking about if I wanted to stick to it. I tried Asahi Linux didn’t have any reasons at the time to use linux over macOS (but there was always the chance I might later), the build quality is 2nd to none, none of my Windows laptops lasted more than a few years.
3 years later, I’ve really been itching to switch to Linux. Two of several reasons: because its DEs are more customizable, it has better documented accessibility APIs if you want to make keyboard navigation software. I reinstalled Asahi Linux and really tried to make it my daily driver, but the lacks of apps would require me to dual boot: Photoshop and Roblox.
I researching again for computers closest to Macbook Pros but none of them come close to its build quality. I think it would be best for me to make my own desktop PC for linux. I don’t think I’d fare well with another windows laptop brand.
i’ve installed linux on 20 wildly different machines and never regretted it
there have been a very low number of devices that didn’t work but are always the least vital in the machine
Frameworks are super solid linux laptops
Been using a FW16 with fedora. It is pretty solid.
The repairability leads to some concessions on build quality but that would be a sacrifice I’d be willing to make.
I honestly haven’t really noticed any major build quality issues. Just that the two separators on either side of the trackpad module don’t quite sit level with the trackpad module itself and if I’m being really nitpicky there’s slightly more deck flex in the keyboard than I like.
Other than those two things, the laptop is solid, at least under my usage patterns. If you were swapping IO modules frequently then I could see wear on the plastic edge of the modules and laptop body and maybe the usb-c connector itself potentially becoming an issue after a couple of years.
I didn’t say there are major issues, just that a Macbook will look better in that respect.
I’m super happy with the ThinkPad T-Series. Solid build quality, and the keyboard is magnitudes better than the MBP i had before.
I bought a Microsoft Surface Go 3 and I’m not happy. It works but I can feel its desire to self combust every time I update it.
I use a Framework 13, and I absolutely love it. The build quality isn’t quite as good as Apple, but it’s still exceptional. The Linux support on it is top notch.
i never questionned my linux installs. I do however question my decision to buy a Framework laptop :/ wouldn’t do it again
I used the Lenovo Yoga Pro 2 for 7 or 8 years as my main computer. I used Ubuntu on it the whole time so it always felt fast and new. The only reason I had to upgrade, I started running more and more docker containers for the project I was doing and the Yoga Pro 2 just didn’t have the cores and ram. I gave it to my cousin. I switched to a mini-pc (lots of ram and lots of cores) and bought a portable 4k monitor. It’s lame that the whole Yoga Pro 2 had to be replaced, when all I needed was more cores and more ram. Now I just buy a new mini-pc when I need. Or just a new monitor when I need, etc. A laptop would have a battery, but I don’t need that; just the portability. But hands down would have just upgraded my Yoga Pro 2 if I could have.
Asus never disappointed me, I have Linux running on a 16 year old eeePC and on a 1 year old TUF gaming notebook.
Two friends of mine have it running smoothly on ThinkPads.
I would never buy HP again, to run Linux on it. It was and is such an effort to get and keep it running with HP being so restrictive regarding BIOS, drivers, and so on.
I’ve never had too many issues on HP machines but there are other reasons to avoid that manufacturer, such as build quality.
I was questioned by others about why I use Linux. I don’t think I need to explain the reasons to every Windows user.
I did in the past. This is why I research any piece of hardware I’m about to buy.
