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!

  • 6R1M R34P3R@lemmy.mlEnglish
    61·
    3 days ago

    You have plenty GNU/Linux compatible OOTB laptop manufacturers like:

    Tuxedo

    Slimbook

    System76

    Purism

    Framework

    StarLabs

    Also check this for buying preinstalled libreboot laptops (some of the upper ones already do) minifree.org and here how to do yourself if you feel confident libreboot.org

    Also you can consider buying a Dell laptop or Lenovo Thinkpad

    I strongly recommend buying a laptop with AMD graphics, either integrated or external, for getting the best compatible machine for GNU/Linux, and avoid Nvidia, and Intel too if possible

    • lumony@lemmings.worldEnglish
      12·
      1 day ago

      I’d recommend avoiding all of these companies.

      They will charge you a premium for inferior hardware and an OS they don’t have to pay licensing fees on.

      You can buy a Lenovo gaming laptop with a 4070 for $900 from Walmart that will run Linux without issues. Don’t give these scumbags your money. They’re banking on you being stupid.

      https://www.walmart.com/ip/Lenovo-LOQ-15-6-FHD-144Hz-Gaming-Notebook-Ryzen-7-7435HS-16GB-RAM-512GB-SSD-NVIDIA-GeForce-RTX-4070-Luna-Grey-Octa-Core-Display-Ram/13376108763

      • 6R1M R34P3R@lemmy.mlEnglish
        11·
        9 hours ago

        have you even read my comment? dont listen to this guy OP. Get yourself an AMD graphics

          • 6R1M R34P3R@lemmy.mlEnglish
            21·
            8 hours ago

            I don’t know where you live, but AMD is much cheaper than Nvidia, and everybody knows that. So maybe you’re the fanboy here. AMD is simply better on GNU/Linux because of open-source drivers. You’ll avoid many issues that, while easy to fix, someone getting a computer for GNU/Linux can easily avoid just by buying AMD graphics. I use two RTX 3090s on my main machine, btw

            • lumony@lemmings.worldEnglish
              12·
              8 hours ago

              No, you’re the one definitely fanboying. You’re upset that someone is recommending a product from a company you’re not loyal to, so you will never stop responding until you have the last word.

              If you can find a comparable laptop to what I linked for a similar or cheaper price, great. Link it. Otherwise you’re just fanboying while pretending you’re not.

              If your next reply isn’t a link to a comparable laptop or an apology, I’m just going to ignore you.

              Arguing with you people gets tiresome and it’s up to rational adults to see you for what you are.