Thinking of getting a laptop for Linux

[Red Squirrel]

Currently my main machine runs Linux and Windows so when I want to game I have to reboot. Pain in the ass if someone wants to game and I'm in the middle of something. Either going to build a separate machine for Windows, or maybe get a Linux laptop instead and use it as my main machine, with the convenience of being able to bring it to work on night shifts.

What should I look for in a laptop when it comes to Linux, any manufacturers I should avoid or try to get? I'd probably want to get a gaming laptop, but nothing ridiculously high end, just want it to be able to handle basic games like Minecraft.

I just want to ensure I don't end up buying a laptop that's totally not supported and that nothing works.

 

[lxskllr]

It really varies. I'd pick a machine you like, then research compatibility. I recently got a netbook from the pawn shop. I booted it to a thumb drive with Kali on it to make sure everything worked. Unfortunately, I didn't look close enough, and it turned out wifi requires bcm proprietary drivers, and to keep their trash from locking up the machine, I have to set it to network boot as the first option, let it error out, and then it works great. It really is a nice machine, especially for $100, but if I were buying new, I'd have researched it before getting to the shop.

 

[theevilsharpie]

Your best bet for Linux compatibility is to get an older model with as few proprietary bits as possible.

That being said, Lenovo Thinkpads has probably the largest Linux community out of all the laptop lines. That doesn't necessarily mean that Thinkpads are better (or worse) than other brands, but you'll be more likely to get community assistance if you run into problems.

 

[dbk]

I just installed Ubuntu on my Acer.. was debating on selling it but now it's like a Macbook! (Cairo dock, theme, etc)

 

[TSDible]

I love off lease Lenovo ThinkPads for Linux.

You can get them cheap, and they have good compatibliity. I'm using an X201 now and it takes everything I can throw at it.

But I'm cheap....

🙂

 

[smakme7757]

Are Dell still selling those XPS machines that come preinstalled with Ubuntu?

I don't know how good the machines are, but compatibility would be at a minimum 99% depending on distro.

 

[lxskllr]

ThinkPads were my first idea, but I don't know how they do for gaming. I know the x60 can be made totally(as possible) libre, and supports CoreBoot, but I don't know about the other models. I think they tend to be friendly, if not totally free though.

 

[t-ray]

FYI - I had a business class HP provided by my previous company which came preloaded with Windows 7. I wiped it and put on Mint 15 KDE, and everything worked with zero compatibility issues. However, the power management was awful. The battery barely lasted an hour. I tweaked a bit, but could never get much life out of it. But on Windows, the exact same hardware would go for a tad over four hours.

 

[Away]

Depending on your budget, you could always get something from System 76 or a similar company that specializes in Linux systems. I've used one of their Gazelle Professional laptops and they are very nice.

 

[TSDible]

ThinkPads were my first idea, but I don't know how they do for gaming. I know the x60 can be made totally(as possible) libre, and supports CoreBoot, but I don't know about the other models. I think they tend to be friendly, if not totally free though.

I read it as the OP wanted to get a Linux laptop to keep working while someone was using the current dual booting system for gaming on Windows... That is, that the Linux laptop would just be for work... not gaming.

Considering you can get a good off lease Lenovo ThinkPad for <$300, it is a good choice.

 

[Red Squirrel]

I read it as the OP wanted to get a Linux laptop to keep working while someone was using the current dual booting system for gaming on Windows... That is, that the Linux laptop would just be for work... not gaming.

Considering you can get a good off lease Lenovo ThinkPad for <$300, it is a good choice.

Actually I'd still want the laptop to handle games to some extent, at least basic games like Minecraft, which is about the only game I play in Linux. Though worse comes to worse I could still dual boot the actual workstation to play serious games like FPS games, though that machine with primarily stay in windows.

Though going the off lease route is an option... Did not realize they could be had for that cheap. Any kind of VM stuff I do on my VM server so I don't really need that much ram either. I'll be building a new VM server with 64-128GB of ram. I imagine off lease laptops would be core 2 duos with like 2GB of ram or similar? Throw a SSD in there and I imagine it would be good for coding and that kind of stuff.