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Why do people still recommend Thinkpads for Linux when there are Linux-oriented manufacturers now?

I’ve noticed in the Linux community whenever someone asks for a recommendation on a laptop that runs Linux the answer is always “Get a Thinkpad” yet Lenovo doesn’t seem to be a big Linux contributor or ally. There’s also at least six Linux/FOSS-oriented computer manufacturers now:

So what gives? Why the love for a primarily Windows-oriented laptop when there are better alternatives?

Drito ,

15 years ago I would have been surprised to hear that Thinkpads are cheap laptops !

sab ,

Bought my last few laptops from Tuxedo. Their 13" infinibook can be quite noisy, but I’m having a blast with the Polaris I bought last year.

TheButtonJustSpins ,

What do you like about it?

sab ,

First off all, the components are selected for the Linux compatibility, so it’s guaranteed to work. But they also provide some tools to make sure you use the preferred drivers, a control center tool for customising fan speeds, etc. All of which are open source. They even provide the windows drivers for all configs for when you want to dusk boot (and those are even fairly up to date).

xXthrowawayXx ,

Because those laptops suck.

Thinkpads are good and cheap. If someone has a bunch of money to spend on a computer they buy a Mac.

tekeous ,
@tekeous@apollo.town avatar

The only good system on that list is the framework and it’s $2800 for my ideal version.

Last year’s Thinkpad P-series goes for around $400 on eBay.

iopq ,

You’re comparing ideal to “will get the job done” which is a big gap

The Thinkpad probably doesn’t have a high resolution high refresh screen, which is exactly why I’m shelling out $1400 for the Framework.

nyan ,

To many of us that doesn’t matter. My secondary machine is a laptop from 2008 (not a Thinkpad, though), with a standard-for-the-time 1280x800 17" screen, and I’m fine with that, because I’d rather have a coarse 16:10 17" screen than a high-res 16:9 14-15" one. Occasional window shopping suggests that a new laptop with a screen of the same physical size as my old one would cost more than I really want to pay at the moment.

You obviously have different priorities. That’s fine—plenty of machines of different sorts to go around—but please try not to project your priorities onto others.

iopq ,

If you’re happy with it, no reason to switch. I’m just saying you can’t compare different price range products

promitheas ,
@promitheas@iusearchlinux.fyi avatar

I think what hes trying to say (correct me if im wrong OP), is that not everyone needs that high end machine, so its not comparing apples to oranges as you seem to suggest. Its like comparing a Lamborghini to a regular albeit good sedan for the purpose of taking your kids to school, doing groceries, etc. If we ignore the obvious impracticalities of the Lambo for these jobs, sure its really cool, but if you can achieve the same task with the sedan (again ignoring that the Lambo might not allow you to conveniently achieve them and assuming practicality is equal so that the car analogy can fit in with the laptop question), why specifically go looking to get the Lambo?

Edit: meant to reply to [email protected]

iopq ,

Thinkpad won’t play AAA games, it just can’t run them at a playable frame rate

You get more when you pay more

erasebegin , (edited )

Thinkpads tend to have excellent build quality, solid firmware and well thought out design. Price to performance on second-hand models is always outstanding and their popularity ensures hardware compatibility with Linux.

Of the brands you named, I just don’t trust the hardware. Tuxedo computers for example uses Tongfang white-label computers that they just slap their logo on. Quality control isn’t as thorough as Lenovo’s, firmware is sketchy, TDP tends to be all over the place and keyboard quality doesn’t come close.

Thinkpads also have-- and I can’t stress the importance of this enough-- a nipple. I don’t really use it, but if you try to take it away from me I’ll bite you.

youngyoshieboy ,

My third world country only have Thinkpad around so. It is what it is.

robinslave ,

same

wheels ,

I also live in Europe

BubblyMango ,

Some of these dont really ship worldwide. Not all of them offer a good bang for the buck in terms of hardware specs, and big companies sometimes offer more options (system76 traditionally didnt offer screens over FHD, most laptops are only 14"…).

Gnubyte , (edited )

Those are all expensive, used Thinkpad is below the ground-dirt cheap…$150?!

My Thinkpad Ultrabook was insanely cheap even with a docking station. I do donate to Pop OS once a year though as a thanks for their work and I recommend the same. It’s like $12 a year on their site and they do great work.

Trying to get one of their laptops but thats in short order for me, for now.

Adding on:

  • lack of quick shipping
  • proxied payments like PayPal or apple gpay
  • some use laptop kits that are supposedly cheap
  • hardware different from software if it breaks and there’s no store or big company to ask for a refund from, you’ll be pissed
  • some of the hardware reviews about bugs and their handling of them are damning
Pika ,
@Pika@sh.itjust.works avatar

I never have heard of any of those companies, so I expect PR might be a huge reason. Can’t buy what you don’t realize exists.

Reva ,
  1. Thinkpads are popular, well supported, generally well built and sturdy. The indie startups may or may not provide proper support, have the proper experience to build a good product and are harder to find resources for.
  2. Thinkpads are cheap and easy to get for the power they contain. Devices like the Purism phone are extremely expensive for just a tiny bit of the power and plenty of problems in tow.
Agent641 ,

Heck, why buy a pre-made laptop anyway, just take this bag of microchips and this spool of solder and compile your own!

theragu40 ,

Don’t be silly, you also need some chewing gum and bits of string.

lud ,

Integrated circuits‽

I make my CPUs using individual transistors on a breadboard.

Ajen ,

The way God intended

robinslave ,

I didn’t know about Starlabs but apparently THEY HAVE SHIPMENTS TO MEXICO YES!!! regarding your question these are these major reasons:

  • for the most purists, the vendor should have a certificate from FSF saying that “it respects your freedom” a thing that almost no company have (at least that’s what I saw in modern vendors)
  • in my case and other regions, it’s way more probably you can get a Thinkpad easily and more cheap than one from those mentioned
sentient_loom ,
@sentient_loom@sh.itjust.works avatar

They stand the test of time, used ones can be bought at reasonable prices, there is an abundance of configurations, and they still have the best (the only good) keyboards for any laptop.

grumpyrico ,

thats exactly why i bought my dirt cheap x1 3rd gen

lud ,

https://lemm.ee/pictrs/image/d7230833-043d-46b6-a001-7af425111288.webp

danhab99 ,
@danhab99@programming.dev avatar

This

I’ve run Linux on a bunch of different kinds of laptops and the only time that ever actually looks “good” is on a ThinkPad.

eksb ,
@eksb@programming.dev avatar

Because not one of those laptops have a TrackPoint style mouse.

boo ,
@boo@lemmy.one avatar

You mean the nipple mouse?

hypelightfly ,

Could be worse.
https://xkcd.com/243/

AZERTY ,

I always called it a nub. I haven’t used one as an adult but I could definitely see myself calling it the clit mouse.

M0oP0o ,
@M0oP0o@mander.xyz avatar

Nub is correct, also nubs are best laptop mouse once you get to know them.

Edit, Lenovo now calls them “Caps” and that is lame.

TheButtonJustSpins ,

What makes them the best? I find them very difficult to use effectively.

M0oP0o ,
@M0oP0o@mander.xyz avatar

A few benefits:

  • You turn off the touch pad and then you can type without hitting the mouse
  • Using the laptop in awkward positions (crammed behind a rack for example) is a lot easier
  • Minimal movement needed to use, not going to yeet a coffee over.
  • Once you get the hang of them they seem more responsive then a touch pad and a bit more precise (opinion I know)
agent_flounder ,
@agent_flounder@lemmy.one avatar

Same. I had a couple of Thinkpads ages ago and just couldn’t get used to it. Not enough control over acceleration and deceleration. I guess it is nice to not have to relocate your hand from the kbd all the time but…yeah.

Frederic ,

In France I’ve always call this a clit or clito since they exist (80s? 90s?)

lord_ryvan ,

In the Netherlands, I’ve always known it as “the clit”, the same goes for my dad who’s been in the IT since the 80s.

Swedneck ,
@Swedneck@discuss.tchncs.de avatar

the nippleclit

ikiru ,

I love clits and nipples but I always found that nub so weird.

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