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Ask HN: Best Windows/Linux developer laptop in 2025

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Re: Ask HN: Best Windows/Linux developer laptop in 2025

#41

Post by hoistbypetard »

stmw wrote: post #18
gjsman-1000 wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

System76 laptops are rebranded Clevo devices (a Taiwanese white-label ODM). Even by non-Mac laptop standards, they are known for subpar build quality, reliability, and battery life. I would pick a Framework over a Clevo, any day. And Framework has tons of paper cut issues - I’m not leaving my MacBook for high security work with Framework’s track record for firmware updates.

Really? I had no ideal System76 was a rebrand..

It's a little more than a "rebrand". Here's a more nuanced explanation:

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=17040293

Re: Ask HN: Best Windows/Linux developer laptop in 2025

#42

Post by edtech_dev »

matteotom wrote: post #33

Were your Lenovo experiences with Thinkpads or something else? I've heard that their non-Thinkpad laptops are not up to the same quality as Thinkpads - personally except for a couple years using a MacBook Pro, I've had great experiences with top of the line Thinkpads (x-series mostly) over the past 15 years. My current x13 (gen 5) w/ 32GB of memory can handle local LLMs (not terribly quickly, but it works).

One of the issues was with a Thinkpad and another was with an Ideapad.

Re: Ask HN: Best Windows/Linux developer laptop in 2025

#43

Post by poisonborz »

Asus ROG Z13, X13 (not your size, but also X16). You should consider getting used, tremendous value. There are some of the usual gaming laptop quirks (normal usbc chargers cant keep it charged on full load, QA issues like squeaky touchpad) but the versatility is unmatched.

Thinkpads are reliable and great QA/support, but the HW is underwhelming, bad thermals, dim screens, and just too expensive.

Re: Ask HN: Best Windows/Linux developer laptop in 2025

#44

Post by edtech_dev »

adabyron wrote: post #32

I prefer laptops to be great at being mobile devices. Running LLMs on a local mobile device doesn't make sense to me. Sure it sounds great but at what cost & what trade-offs? This goes for laptops & phones. You can have the best of both worlds by setting up a separate computer in your local network or rent one on the cloud if data privacy & messing around with LLMs is important to you. Then you don't sacrifice the mo…

I mentioned this another comment, but the LLM requirement is more of a nice to have. What's more important is the overall experience: linux support, good trackpad, nice keyboard, battery life, screen, customer support experience, etc.

Re: Ask HN: Best Windows/Linux developer laptop in 2025

#45

Post by devilsdata »

LorenDB wrote: post #39
devilsdata wrote: post #35

Why is the Macbook not an option? They are the best at making laptop hardware, and to my knowledge you can run what you like on it. Mac OS is good, but I also like Fedora's Atomic distros, such as Bluefin-dx.

OP said Windows support is a requirement. Also, Macs have that stupid control/option/command keyboard layout thing.

Ah didn't realise you couldn't dual boot Windows on a Mac, sorry.

Re: Ask HN: Best Windows/Linux developer laptop in 2025

#46

Post by gessha »

caleblloyd wrote: post #21

I just upgraded from a 7-year old XPS 15 - technically it was a Precision 5520 from when Dell still had a Developer Edition that would ship with Ubuntu but it was hands down the best Linux laptop I had. The things I loved about that one was: - 45W TDP processor - none of the U series 15W slowness - 4K screen that scaled to 1080P perfectly at 200% scaling - so X11 and XWayland apps still looked good. Also the screen q…

I have the same problem, trying to find a new laptop upgrading from a maxed out 9-year old XPS 15.

I was hoping Dell would come through with their new lineup but it hasn’t even been released yet and honestly their website is garbage at marketing it.

I might just bit the bullet and get a Mac but I’d hate the lock in. Alternatively, I can just stick with my current setup…

Re: Ask HN: Best Windows/Linux developer laptop in 2025

#47

Post by mmh0000 »

tombh wrote: post #28

Why is Macbook not an option? Even if it's running Asahi Linux?

Please provide instructions on how to boot Windows on the MacBook.

And, while I applaud all the efforts of the Asahi developers, many hardware components do not yet work(1)

Macs are great if you can live happily within the confines of Apple’s expensive walled garden. But leave that garden and soon the moats, mines or sniper towers will get you.

(1) https://asahilinux.org/docs/M2-Series-Feature-Support/#m2-pr...

Re: Ask HN: Best Windows/Linux developer laptop in 2025

#49

Post by beala »

gerdesj wrote: post #26

I suggest that you get a backend box to run LLMs etc and get a laptop that suits you. Fiddle up a VPN to connect them. Your backend box can be as ugly as you like whilst your front end laptop is good enough for normal usage.

I've been using my MacBook mostly as a thin client. I use VSCode's ssh feature to remote in to a much beefier Linux machine. First, VSCode's ssh feature is well designed, and it's pretty seamless. Second, it lets me optimize my laptop for portability and backend box for performance. Finally, I prefer coding in a Linux environment because it better matches production. If you want a portable gaming rig, this ain't it, but it's great setup for coding.

Re: Ask HN: Best Windows/Linux developer laptop in 2025

#50

Post by johann8384 »

FlyingAvatar wrote: post #3

You have two requirements that are at odds: * Macbook is not an option * Want to be able to mess around with some local LLMs. Your choices for a Window laptop that can run a local LLM is either to get a large amount of system RAM and have it be abysmally slow, or to run a very tiny model on a discrete GPU which will (a) not be very good due to its small size and high quantization and (b) evaporate your battery life.…

PocketAI can be helpful:

https://www.adlinktech.com/en/pocket-ai-with-nvidia-rtx-a500...

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