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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?

kaito ,

“Test of time” is not a valid argument anymore as there are newer ThinkPad models. To think there’s only one ThinkPad model is an illusion.

Also Lenovo laptops are so sharp you could m*rder someone with it

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.

youngyoshieboy ,

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

robinslave ,

same

wheels ,

I also live in Europe

HughHoney ,

#1 reason, easier to convince businesses to purchase them in bulk; also getting a time tested model makes IT feel more comfortable that they can manage the devices appropriately.

OskarAxolotl ,

Why are you shouting?

HughHoney ,

?

provomeister ,
@provomeister@lemmy.ca avatar

Seems like someone is new with Markdown notation haha :-)

You probably tried to write “number 1 […]” but the hash (#) converted your whole text to a Heading level 1.

[www.markdownguide.org/basic-syntax/]

HughHoney ,

I’m very aware of markdown I use every day for work. The thing is I assumed they where referring to the way the text appeared to them. But out of the 3 different clients I use for Lemmy on mobile, the mobile site via chrome and the desktop site via chrome none of them render comments in markdown for me. So how are you all seeing markdown rendered in comments on lemmy? Everyone just assumes what they see is what everyone sees.

provomeister ,
@provomeister@lemmy.ca avatar

Fair enough, I was only joking haha. I’m using both Sync and Eternity (known as Infinity for Lemmy) and both clients render Markdown. Can’t say for others clients. Seems like not every client see the same thing…

HughHoney ,

Good to know, looks like a few clients do render the markdown in comments.

Markdown in comments

  • Sync
  • Eternity
  • Summit

No markdown in comments

  • Thunder
  • Liftoff
  • Connect
  • Mobile Chrome
  • Desktop Chrome
TheAnonymouseJoker ,
@TheAnonymouseJoker@lemmy.ml avatar

Ease of availability of third party repair/replace parts, and due to economies of scale, them being cheaper as well. Also I know that Lenovo will officially provide me the parts easily even 6-7 years down the line, no matter if I am a business or home/personal owner of a ThinkPad. The only complaints I am seeing are the newest fingerprint readers on selected models like Yoga being less compatible, other than that everything is as standard on Linux as it gets.

imikoy ,

Since the regular points have already been covered by other people, I’ll add one thing that I like:

Two batteries. The external one is drained first, and it can be replaced while the laptop is running, because there’s an internal battery. I have 24Wh internal, a 16Wh external (it’s old, originallly it was 24Wh) and 72Wh external, in a 12 inch laptop (achievable because 72Wh battery sticks out and acts like a stand), giving me more battery life than anything else without an external power bank.

And I got mine for dirt cheap.

sLLiK ,

Secret sauce: it’s much easier to get an employer on board with buying you a Thinkpad as part of a bulk order than it is to get them to spring for any of these more obscure models as a one-off.

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

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

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.

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

Forevermore ,

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

temptest ,
@temptest@hexbear.net avatar

I, for one, haven’t had to look at laptop manufacturers for nearly a decade because my Thinkpad is still running Linux without a problem.

Aside from political reasons (which are valid!), what makes those manufacturers worth choosing over a Thinkpad?

lukas ,
@lukas@lemmy.haigner.me avatar

Fingerprint reader support. Every fingerprint reader I owned didn’t work on Linux. Every laptop I owned with a fingerprint reader never worked on Linux. It’s almost a law of the universe: If it’s not made for Linux people, the fingerprint reader won’t work on Linux.

signofzeta ,

Good point. It was quite the adventure trying to find drivers for my T470’s fingerprint reader. It’s been working great ever since, but it was a long road.

beeng ,

Thinkpad T480s fingerprint reader working here…

ChronosWing ,

Works fine on my P52s. Required installing the drivers but no issues after that.

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