I’m looking for a laptop to use while I’m away from home (Already have a desktop). My requirements are:

  • Recent (Zen 3 or 4) 8-core CPU
  • 16Gb RAM minimum
  • RDNA 2 graphics at a minimum
  • A non-gaming keyboard (no weird colored keys and RGB can be disabled)
  • budget: $1200 or so

A discrete GPU isn’t necessary, but if do I get one, it might as well have 8Gb, so the 3050/3060/4050 are out. I’ll mostly use it for web browsing, video editing, light Blender use, and light gaming. Anything will be an upgrade over what I’m using now.

My primary choice right now: https://www.bestbuy.com/site/asus-tuf-gaming-a16-16-165hz-gaming-laptop-fhd-amd-ryzen-7-7735hs-with-16gb-ddr5-memory-radeon-rx7600s-512gb-pcie-ssd-off-black/6535499.p?skuId=6535499

And the budget alternative: https://www.bestbuy.com/site/lenovo-yoga-7-16-wuxga-2-in-1-touch-screen-laptop-amd-ryzen-7-7735u-16gb-memory-512gbssd-arctic-grey/6533951.p?skuId=6533951

Edit: using Kubuntu 😁

Any thoughts?

  • linuxFanOPEnglish
    4•1 year ago

    @[email protected] , @[email protected]

    Update: I decided to go with the ASUS, because why not, life is too short. Anyway, the last 4 days have been an adventure, searching the internet for hacks and workarounds to get this thing working. The key points in case anyone else bought the same model (FA617NS):

    • I had to load the most recent Kubuntu 23.10, that got the wireless working, but still no keyboard. I had to use a USB keyboard.
    • On Sunday, I installed the newest unstable kernel, literally released that day, which got the keyboard working. That was a lucky break - this thing was released back in February.
    • Games were selecting the integrated GPU instead of the discrete, but I found a Youtube video that helped me fix that.
    • I spent two days trying to figure out why Steam games lock up in fullscreen mode (seriously, it was only Proton games using DXVK). Never did find the cause or a real solution, but forcing Vsync ON using Mangohud stops the issue.

    It was a hell of a journey, but it was worth it. That thing runs like a scalded dog. It runs Spider-Man Remastered with ray-tracing (not great, but it runs). I haven’t installed a lot of games, but so far everything runs at 90fps or greater on medium/high settings.

    All the basic stuff works, function keys to control LED lighting, sound, wifi, bluetooth, battery mgmt, etc. The only buttons that don’t do anything are the Armory Crate (whatever that is) button, and a fan button, which apparently opens some Windows app. Hopefully I can make a video about it soon.

  • @[email protected]English
    2•1 year ago

    Is your goal to only use Linux on the laptop? If so then the ASUS might be a bit of a gamble in terms of all hardware working out of the box. I’m not sure about how well Yogasb work out of the box with Linux, but ThinkPads typically have great compatibility so maybe it would be similar.

    • linuxFanOPEnglish
      1•1 year ago

      Thanks. I didn’t want to make the original post too wordy, but I have an ASUS B550 in my desktop(running Kubuntu) and I love it. It’s the only mobo I have that lets me disable the onboard RGB from the BIOS. With MSI, I have to use a 3rd party app.

      But I have little experience with laptops. I have heard good things about Lenovo.

  • KabeEnglish
    2•1 year ago

    I go Lenovo because their Linux support is better.

    • linuxFanOPEnglish
      1•1 year ago

      Thanks. I guess Lenovo would be the safe choice. I’ve heard they work pretty well with Linux.