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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?

MangoPenguin , (edited )
@MangoPenguin@lemmy.blahaj.zone avatar

Price, used thinkpads are cheap. I know I can get parts basically anywhere too.

MartinXYZ ,

I believe Dell even has some models that come with Linux preinstalled.

techognito ,
@techognito@lemmy.world avatar

Dell, HP and Lenovo can deliver with Linux pre-installed

sunbeam60 ,

Not just deliver - they support them. I’ve got a Dell micro-PC running as an Ubuntu Server and it regularly receives BIOS and firmware updates from Dell through the default fwupgdr-mgr.

pwr22 ,

Which HP models have good official Linux support these days? I thought they had stopped supporting the one(s) they did and I’ve had a bunch of bad experiences generally :(.

TheCaconym ,

I wouldn’t trust a manufacturer-installed system to be honest

Given the size of the userbase I doubt they’d invest in developing and adding preinstalled similar adware as their windows OEM systems but you never know

Better order it without OS

Castelllan ,

For me it is mostly the price. I don’t need much and a Seconds Hand ThinkPad ist enough for my needs and much less expensive than buying a New Laptop.

ayam ,

Availability for me, none of those brands are available in my country.

Chapo_is_Red ,

I’d guess build quality is a big factor for most of those recommenders. I like Lenovo, even though other computers have better specs, because Lenovo’s are tough and reasonably priced.

Shinji_Ikari ,
@Shinji_Ikari@hexbear.net avatar

Computers are more or less the sum of their parts.

For the longest time, and even now I think, the “Linux laptop” companies mostly sold re-branded quasi-generic laptops from Chinese manufacturers and focused on the software aspect to ensure compatibility. This meant that a lot of aspects were cheapened out on. The chassis, trackpad, keyboard, display, fit and finish in general were second class. Sure it was a machine that ran Linux, but most computers do that pretty well.

Laptop shopping is already fraught with pain and hazards. How do you know you’re getting something that wont break down? Add the “vote with your wallet” premium price on these boutique Linux laptops, and they don’t seem that appealing.

Thinkpads on the other hand have a huge community of nerds documenting compatibility. They have enterprise customers dumping pallets of used machines into the used market every year, and have far better parts accessibility than the quasi-generic machine.

Then there’s the trackpoint, you never need to leave the home row. You’re not victim to subpar trackpads(Every non-mac trackpad is subpar, sorry, I don’t make the rules, they suck absolutely.)

I’ve had my X1 Carbon 4th gen since new in 2016. Even if I can’t upgrade it, 7 years on its still nearly perfect. I got an Dell XPS 15 from work ~5 years ago and I’ve gone through two batteries, finishes are wearing off, the hinge is wonky, and IT HAS NO TRACK POINT.

Forevermore ,

None of them really match the ThinkPad reliability, cost effectiveness and after sales experience.

Drug_Shareni ,
  • cheap (companies sell off their stocks when upgrading so you get a few years old business laptop for a fraction of the price)
  • cheap and plentiful parts
  • popular models are usually easy to upgrade and repair
  • it’s built so coked up business sharks can throw it across the office
  • best laptop keyboards
  • trackpoint and physical mouse buttons
  • great Linux support
pwr22 ,

Entroware is another you could add to the list. I had a good experience buying from them. They do the usual Clevo OEM things.

MonkderZweite ,

I have some preferences in hardware (Vendors are still riding the 4k-in-laptop-size bandwagon) and Thinkpad has good customizability.

Just looked into Malibal, they have no less than WQHD currently and i get a top of the line customized Thinkpad for less than their 2000+.

jg1i ,

I bought a Framework once. The build quality was better than System76, but not great. However, Framework is not a Linux laptop. They designed it for Windows and only afterwards they were surprised to find that people wanted it for Linux.

A lot of Linux laptops don’t have HiDPI displays because they’re not really compatible.

Example Framework: community.frame.work/t/…/8301

For years people have been trying to work around Framework’s poor display choice. And they’re still trying.

If you have a regular DPI display, you get to avoid a whole class of bugs and issues.

If you wanna have a good time with Linux, you need some mechanical sympathy.

Btw, tbh, brb, I’ve had good success with the Dell XPS 13 and the Lenovo X1 Carbon. System76 build quality was meh.

treadful ,
@treadful@lemmy.zip avatar

I did the OG Framework’s DIY build. By far the best laptop build quality I’ve used. I’m a little partial because I love that the hardware is accessible. Clearly marked screws! Unlike my Lenovo X1 Carbon’s that are just single boards (but I still really like them).

Complaining they chose HiDPI display is pretty funny though. My X1 Carbon 7th gen has a HiDPI screen, and I had to go through all the same UI scaling issues. Each toolkit had to be scaled differently. Chrome of course did their own thing. It was a PITA, but hardly because of the screen’s hardware pixel density.

And to add, my Purism was trash and literally fell apart within months.

Gecko ,
@Gecko@lemmy.world avatar

As someone running a Framework 13 with Fedora 38 with 1.5 fractional scaling using Wayland I cannot say I experienced the same issue. Everything kinda just worked out of the box.

Personally I couldn’t go back from HiDPI screens. The lower resolution just makes stuff look blurry IMO.

boo ,
@boo@lemmy.one avatar

Not sure, but, I dont think any of them are available outside usa/europe. Lenovo has more global coverage

sic_semper_tyrannis ,

Framework is available outside of those areas.

canis_majoris ,
@canis_majoris@lemmy.ca avatar

Yeah but it’s incredibly expensive for the gimmick of upgradability down the line. It’s like buying a maxed out MacBook Pro worth of disassembled components, bringing your own RAM, SSD and OS. As much as I want repairable, upgradable, holy grail laptops, they are way to expensive for the average consumer right now. A 16 without RAM/SSD/OS comes out to like 3k CAD – including everything with assembly, it comes out to over 3.5k.

morhp ,

It’s available, but they’re still US based and basically importing it, you don’t have proper EU customer protection or EU warranty* for example. I wouldn’t buy it just because of that.

  • They give 2 years of warranty for their EU customers, but not EU wide as would be required if actually selling from the EU. You also have basically no chance to sue then or otherwise demand anything if they for some reason ignore your warranty claim.
boo ,
@boo@lemmy.one avatar

I just checked Japan, India, Brazil. They dont operate there…

SoaringDE ,

Had Tuxedo experience: 3/5 at most Had ThinkPad experience: 4/5 at least

KIM_JONG_JUICEBOX ,
@KIM_JONG_JUICEBOX@lemmy.ml avatar

Didn’t Lenovo like 15 years ago make a line of desktops that shipped with some redhat derivative installed? Or am I thinking of something else?

FiskFisk33 ,

i think I saw a few only a couple of years ago

techognito ,
@techognito@lemmy.world avatar

They still sell with Fedora pre-installed

sounddrill ,

Give me something less than 15k INR and I might consider it

nestEggParrot ,

Where do you get usedlthinkpads for that price? All i find are 4th gen mini pc refurbished at at price. Best hw was a 8550u, 8gb ram Asus chromebox. Would love to get a decent used thinkpad for 15k.

sounddrill ,

Intel 4th gen is alright imo

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