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!
Look at frame.work they have good documentation about various Linux distros on their machines
I have, unfortunately they’re too expensive for me.
Their firmware updates are pretty late and they ditched coreboot.
But I guess the hardware is awesome. Keep in mind that these thunderbolt adapters suck quite some battery, so having a laptop simply with the ports you need uses up less battery. Also, the modularity may not be needed and causes it to be less stiff.
https://www.asus.com/us/laptops/for-home/zenbook/zenbook-14-oled-um3402/
22 hours battery life.
AMD.
Slim, gorgeous. Runs Linux like a champ.
I have bought only Asus for my last 4 laptops (previously I was Thinkpad), and I have never regretted any of them. Since switching from Windows to Linux earlier this year (Aurora-DX) I have had no issues.
If you want to go even smaller and lighter, this one is awesome but is Intel and doesn’t have as long battery life.
22 hours battery life
Not even Macs M series are getting that much.
That depends on where you live.
In europe I recommend Novacustom or 3mdeb if you want coreboot, Starlabs too.
In the US System76.
No Tuxedo?
Tuxedo has coreboot in some of their laptops afaik.
Their chassis’ are waay better than the clevo garbage I currently have, but
coreboot >> design
Depending on your budget, I would suggest tuxedo‘s aura 15 gen 3. starts at around 800 bucks and is linux first and made in germany.
If you have a lower budget I would go used as someone suggested since a new laptop is nice but unnecessary if you have budget constraints.
Wish you tons of fun.
System 76
Their laptops ain’t as good as their Desktop which are premium from what I gathered from comments
Go team red would be my advice.
I’ve got a similar use case and went with an X13 Thinkpad (AMD). It’s good for hardware support, but if you want a good experience for watching videos, I’d look somewhere else. The display and audio are not that good.