Linux

52706 readers

668 users here now

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

Rules

Posts must be relevant to operating systems running the Linux kernel. GNU/Linux or otherwise.
No misinformation
No NSFW content
No hate speech, bigotry, etc

Related Communities

Community icon by Alpár-Etele Méder, licensed under CC BY 3.0

founded 5 years ago

MODERATORS

[email protected]

Laptop for Linux (lemmy.dbzer0.com)

submitted 5 days ago* (last edited 1 day ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

65 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Hey all.

I've booted Linux Mint Debian Edition and Arch on to a couple old machines including my old laptops. The performance is still rather brutal because these machines are so old and their battery lives are rough. They are also bulky and uncomfortable to carry around.

So, I've been thinking about getting a more modern laptop and putting Linux on it but I've been out of the laptop market for so long now I have no idea what's good and what's not anymore. Any recommendations?

I think I've heard decent things about Chromebooks but how's the hardware of those? Are they relatively locked down and don't play nice with Linux? I'm just looking for a machine for daily use (browser, light coding, remote connecting to my desktop for heavier stuff)

Thanks in advance

EDIT: Thank you to everyone for responding, I did not expect so much discussion! I've certainly changed my mind on Chromebooks and will look into the options recommended below in the coming months. Thanks!

(page 2) 15 comments

sorted by: hot top controversial new old

[–] [email protected] 2 points 5 days ago

Going to piggyback off your post with this comment.

Where can we get laptop (m.2) wifi cards that are supported by FOSS drivers? I've been having a hard time finding them anymore.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 5 days ago

I bought a very cheap N100 laptop that worked perfectly with EndeavourOS. If you don't need a not of gaming prowess, or massive storage I recommend something modest. PM me and I will send you a link, I just don't want to junk up the forum but 16 inch screen, 16gb of ram and a 512gb ssd and it is perfectly respectable, though the touchpad isn't great it does work in Linux, I just think the design is a little too tight. I will agree that a lot of laptops work fine and you can "test" them with a USB stick instead of going through the full installation.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 5 days ago (1 children)

I think chromebooks are pretty locked down these days. The old ones you can unlock and install Linux on the bare metal are underpowered. 4g RAM and 64g storage typically. I use one as a touch screens for home Assistant and to run Pihole.

I would recommend a Think Pad with 4 cores and 8g RAM from eBay. Should be plenty for your use case and cheap. I have a 10 or 12 year old idea pad that I use about the same way you do and it still running great with PopOs.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 5 days ago

Chromebooks are locked down yes, but they do give you the keys. It involves unplugging the internal battery to be able to modify the hardware write protection, entering dev mode to disable the write protection, and then flashing a Coreboot port onto the firmware. Even then, a lot of basic things may or may not work once you're booted into Linux. From experience I don't recommend.

load more comments