this post was submitted on 21 Aug 2023
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I've noticed in the Linux community whenever someone asks for a recommendation on a laptop that runs Linux the answer is always "Get a Thinkpad" yet Lenovo doesn't seem to be a big Linux contributor or ally. There's also at least six Linux/FOSS-oriented computer manufacturers now:

So what gives? Why the love for a primarily Windows-oriented laptop when there are better alternatives?

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[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 years ago

I tend to use other people's cast-offs at work. Win 10 slow? JG gets an upgrade! I whip the SSD or M.2 or whatever I'm using out of the old one and pop it in the "new" one.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 years ago

@[email protected] because of quality of construction. I have thinkpad a running Linux that are more than 10 years old and all this without vendor support. Being able to find parts even after so many years is also important.Do any of these Linux friendly vendors have similar quality and similar prices?
Whenever I think about getting one of those systems I really don’t know if the company is going to exist in the next few years.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (1 children)

Last time I was looking, they were one of the few laptops that I've seen that come with a trackpad with three mechanical buttons. Linux makes better use of three buttons than some other environments, and I like mechanical buttons.

There may be other vendors out there now that also do so.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Absolutely. It's a shame that this has become so rare. Even the Framework laptop, which is put together in a modular manner, allowing pieces to be swapped in and out, doesn't give the option of having a touchpad with actual buttons.

I could have a full rant about it, but based on their lack of availability, I suspect I've got a minority opinion.

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[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 years ago

I have some preferences in hardware (Vendors are still riding the 4k-in-laptop-size bandwagon) and Thinkpad has good customizability.

Just looked into Malibal, they have no less than WQHD currently and i get a top of the line customized Thinkpad for less than their 2000+.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 years ago (2 children)

Didn’t Lenovo like 15 years ago make a line of desktops that shipped with some redhat derivative installed? Or am I thinking of something else?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 years ago

They still sell with Fedora pre-installed

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[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 years ago (1 children)

They still do a good job with build quality and I use them for work. I also use framework 13 as my personal computer, it is great and I like it but it does not feel as premium as my work laptop. It is probably a trade off for modularity though

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[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 years ago

Look at the prices.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 years ago

Had a bad experience with System76 in the past.

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