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Ask HN: Linux laptop with MacBook-like build quality

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Re: Ask HN: Linux laptop with MacBook-like build quality

#81

Post by lowrider130 »

michael_h wrote: post #54
lowrider130 wrote: post #27

For build quality I like my Razer Blade (late 2016 build), but support is not perfect out of the box. I'm running Linux Mint 18.1. The WiFi was not supported by the live disc, but works after install. Switching between the NVidia and Intel graphics has been a problem that I haven't yet resolved. The pros are a quad core i7, NVidia 1060, a better keyboard than MBP (my opinion), 16gb RAM, option of 4K glossy or 1080p f…

I heard the Razer Blade was flaky.

Mine has been really solid. I use it for work and side projects right now.

Switching video cards has been my biggest issue. The Nvidia sucks battery so there are times I want to switch to the integrated Intel. The switch works, but switching back hangs the machine. It happens in the logout or shutdown part of switching video and the login (MDM on mint) never loads. It doesn't matter which card I switch to or from, just the second swap every time. Mint 18.2 is using LightDM which I'm hoping will work better, but I haven't tried yet.

Re: Ask HN: Linux laptop with MacBook-like build quality

#82

Post by LyndsySimon »

8draco8 wrote: post #67
fergie wrote: post #56

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thats a good idea- I do have an old Air kicking around, but it seems a shame to lose a mac in order to gain a Linux. In any case I would like something new and purpose built.

Macs are unstable and lack of some features under Linux. Read about compatibility before putting any distro on it.

That's the genius of going with ArchLinux - everything is unstable :)

Re: Ask HN: Linux laptop with MacBook-like build quality

#85

Post by nickjj »

hobarrera wrote: post #25
nickjj wrote: post #7

I run Linux on a slightly modified Chromebook. It seems solid to me, but I never owned a MBP. It has all of the things I care about: - 1080p IPS display (13.3" screen) - SSD - 4GB of RAM - Fast enough to handle real work loads (lots of browser tabs, running large Rails apps in Docker, streaming music, etc.) - SD card and USB ports The whole thing was $350 USD and it's under 3 pounds. Details are at: https://nickjanet…

The low-res and low amount of RAM make it a completely different league compared to an MBP. Not sure which chromebook you have, buy they also tend to have quite smaller SSDs. Generally, chromebooks are modern netbooks (not saying that's a bad thing, just different), and not really comparable to an MBP.

You can upgrade the SSDs on them to whatever you need (not all of them, but just the models that have a pluggable SSD card). It was $50 for 128GB, but you can go much higher.

Also, the resolution is really nice. 1080p on a 13" machine is plenty of PPI.

Sure a MBP has retina, but at the end of the day you're probably running a 13" MBP at 1680x1050 which gives you less screen real estate than the Chromebook. The only difference is, things will be liquid smooth looking.

Re: Ask HN: Linux laptop with MacBook-like build quality

#86

Post by nickjj »

le-mark wrote: post #32
nickjj wrote: post #7

I run Linux on a slightly modified Chromebook. It seems solid to me, but I never owned a MBP. It has all of the things I care about: - 1080p IPS display (13.3" screen) - SSD - 4GB of RAM - Fast enough to handle real work loads (lots of browser tabs, running large Rails apps in Docker, streaming music, etc.) - SD card and USB ports The whole thing was $350 USD and it's under 3 pounds. Details are at: https://nickjanet…

That's a great guide, thanks! When I went through the process a few years ago, it would have been really nice to have. Plus GalliumOS wasn't around then.

No problem. It was a fun experience to set it all up. I am still using the machine a lot today. I wrote that guide almost 1 year ago to this day.

I don't think I would have tried it without GalliumOS. It's surprisingly polished.

Re: Ask HN: Linux laptop with MacBook-like build quality

#87

Post by Finnucane »

hobarrera wrote: post #21
larrik wrote: post #15

My current trick is to limit my search to "gaming laptops" because gamers are picky as hell when it comes to components.

Gamer laptops tend to be very overpowered video-wise, and have much poorer battery durations. Either that, or they're very big and clunky.

Yeah, the Clevo I got from Mythlogic about 3 years ago is like that--it's basically a desktop machine squashed into a small package. Which means it's a little heavier, runs hotter, not great battery life (but I rarely take it anywhere I can't plug in, so it's not a big deal really). But it's quite solid and fast. Don't know what of their current offerings would be more Macbook-like.

Re: Ask HN: Linux laptop with MacBook-like build quality

#89

Post by transverse »

8draco8 wrote: post #70
bocz wrote: post #44

Check out System76 https://system76.com/laptops

They are not even close to MB quality and they are not worth it. They are also making questionable decisions regarding supported OS. Apparently they are going away from Ubuntu and wants to fork Ubuntu with Unity 7.

AFAIK, they intend to continue to offer Ubuntu as a choice. Their hardware is vastly superior to the garbage that is MB.

Re: Ask HN: Linux laptop with MacBook-like build quality

#90

Post by IE6 »

ibotty wrote: post #84
IE6 wrote: post #57

Earlier quoted context omitted.

First comment is my experience and opinion and TLP can be found at http://linrunner.de/en/tlp/tlp.html

References for 2?

I guess you don't have to use it or trust me :) My comments are just my opinion and are based on my personal observation.
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