I’m considering getting a laptop for Linux and want to know a few things before I do. Some important info before I start: I don’t plan on using the laptop for anything too intense, mainly writing, digital art, streaming, browsing, and maybe very mild video editing (cropping at least and shortening at most). I would also prefer the laptop to be inexpensive, preferably under 1000 USD

I mainly want to know if whether I should get a laptop by a manufacturer that specializes in Linux or a laptop that runs a different OS (exp: Windows) to install Linux on later. I’ve also scouted out quite a few distros and have a good idea of which ones I would like using

I’ve already looked at a few mainline Linux hardware producers like System76 but want to know if it’s worth it before sinking money into it

  • @[email protected]
    3•1 year ago

    I know you mentioned System76, but I thought an anecdote of the gazelle 15 I bought during covid would help.

    It’s the 2021 model with a 10th-gen i5, 16GB DDR4 RAM, a cheap 256 nvme SSD, and a GTX 1660ti for $1300. Very good laptop that I’ve used the hell out of since then. Has an excellent 120hz IPS panel (1080p) that’s just buttery smooth, and using pop_os on it has been very stable, even with all their firmware updates including the switch to coreboot for their UEFI. Plays all the games I needed to when I was away from home, and the keyboard is one of the best I’ve typed on, on a laptop.

    Now my only issue with it, is the shell, which was not entirely metal as I was led to believe. It’s got some pretty cheap plastic for the bottom side that feels like it will crack if dropped even from a short height. I THINK this has been changed in newer models though, as they were using rebranded Clevo laptops for their chassis. Still, I hate that it’s half nice brushed aluminum looking metal and half brittle plastic housing a VERY (at the time) expensive parts. It’s the only flaw

    Does this change my mind on buying System76? No, because I’ve seen their newer stuff and it’s made leaps and bounds from my laptop in just a couple of years, and I absolutely plan on buying a beefier Oryx Pro or something on the future. They’re excellent Linux machines