Best laptops for Linux
Having owned a number of laptops over the years in my efforts to find the ideal one to run Linux I would recommend to anyone engaged in the same expensive and frustrating pursuit the following two machines/brands that firstly run Linux well, and secondly last more than 12 months before they fall apart.
Clevo L140MU or later models (also called Metabox, System 76 etc)
- Advantages
- Comes without any operating system, so you can avoid the "Microsoft tax"
- Runs Linux well
- Is very light -- has magnesium body under 1kg
- Very durable. I have had mine for three years still works mostly OK (see below)
- Great 72 Wh battery
- Great keyboard with backlight
- Great trackpad though simple like Apple one
- 180 degree lid
- Can be charged from USB-C port using a generic 65W charger
- Disadvantages
- The rubber feet eventually come off -- stuck them back on with superglue
- Power supply hard to source and the connector failed after 12 months, had to use USB-C
- Fan got a bit noisy after 3 years
- Function keys only work when pressing Fn button as well
Lenovo T480, T14, P14s
- Advantages
- The toughest laptops I have ever used. Still work perfectly after 5 years
- P14s comes without Microsoft tax
- Supports Linux well
- Function keys work without pressing Fn
- USB-C charging only
- Splill-resistant keyboard
- Rubber feet never come off
- Disadvantages
- Heaver than the Clevo (1.6kg)
- Battery not as good (50Wh)
- P14s requires a patch from Radeon to support suspend/resume
- Microsoft tax with T14
- T480, T490 keyboard usually not backlit
The only major brand I haven't tried is Asus. The others I wouldn't reccommend.
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