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Ask HN: Best current Linux-compatible laptop?

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Re: Ask HN: Best current Linux-compatible laptop?

#81

Post by einrealist »

adfadf wrote: post #71
einrealist wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have one with all configurable components. The clickpad is not working properly out-of-box and needs to be configured in the xorg.conf. The Ericsson WWAN also has issues, requires a line in udev rules. I did not try fingerprint reader, NFC and the card reader, yet. There are also issues with the Ultra Dock. After a firmware update VGA/DVI is working, but no HDMI/DisplayPort. The sound jack of the dock is not workin…

I got my x240 a couple of days ago and am trying to get the wwan card to work. What rule is needed for udev? And did you get the gps function to work as well?

I had to add the following line to /lib/udev/rules.d/77-mm-ericsson-mbm.rules for the Ericsson N5321 WWAN adapter:

ATTRS{idVendor}=="0bdb", ATTRS{idProduct}=="193e", ENV{ID_MM_ERICSSON_MBM}="1"

To be sure what vendor and product ID to use, you should check that first via 'lsusb|grep Ericsson'.

I did not care about GPS yet.

Re: Ask HN: Best current Linux-compatible laptop?

#82

Post by bobdvb »

sergiosgc wrote: post #32

I'm definitely skewed towards Thinkpads, having carried one with me since '03 when I bought the first. My current laptop is an X1 carbon, and I can only say nice things about it. The only nitpick is that they messed the home/insert/end/Del key island. No problems whatsoever running Linux on it.

I've had two Thinkpad's and bought my mother one as well, all running Linux, so easy, solid and reliable.

Re: Ask HN: Best current Linux-compatible laptop?

#83

Post by BruceIV »

This might not be what you're actually looking for, but I just set up a new laptop, and after a week of trying to get it to dual boot (UEFI, eh?) decided to run Linux in VMWare under Windows instead. I've got to say, Windows+VMWare makes a darn good hardware abstraction layer, which means I don't need to worry nearly so much about crappy driver stuff.

Re: Ask HN: Best current Linux-compatible laptop?

#85

Post by davb »

janvidar wrote: post #73
davb wrote: post #33

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm using a Dell XPS 13 too and really like it. My biggest gripe is how hot it gets. So much so that it's uncomfortable to use on your lap (with the air vents all along the bottom). I've cleaned the inside, verified the fan operation and speed. It's just a machine that tends to run quite hot.

Really? I have the 2014 edition, mine never gets uncomfortably hot, and I rarely hear the fan running. I routinely compile lots of code on it (C/C++ and some Java).

Yeah, pretty bad. It's quite bad. I try to do any compilation on my desktop machine or one a remote machine.

Mine is a 2013 edition (MLK / 2nd edt) w/ Core i5 3rd gen (I think).

Re: Ask HN: Best current Linux-compatible laptop?

#86

Post by davb »

sandGorgon wrote: post #43
davb wrote: post #33

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm using a Dell XPS 13 too and really like it. My biggest gripe is how hot it gets. So much so that it's uncomfortable to use on your lap (with the air vents all along the bottom). I've cleaned the inside, verified the fan operation and speed. It's just a machine that tends to run quite hot.

have you re-applied the thermal compound or a copper shim ? XPS are famous for needing a better thermal compound ( I recommend Arctic MX-4) between the processor/heatsink or video-card/heatsink. FYI - all of this will cost you less than 10 bucks.

I actually think I've got some spare MX-4 from my recent PC build. I think I'll take your advice over the weekend. Thanks for your help!

Re: Ask HN: Best current Linux-compatible laptop?

#87

Post by mello151 »

TobbenTM wrote: post #6

Most lenovo ThinkPads are certified to work with Ubuntu. And (for me at least) there are no better laptops out there. They should have all of your needs covered. I would suggest going for the T540. It's awesome.

I've been running an (ancient) T420S with Manjaro for quite a while. Never had an issue.

Re: Ask HN: Best current Linux-compatible laptop?

#89

Post by japhyr »

mekoka wrote: post #27

I've used 2 System76 laptops in 5 years. I would buy again and would recommend them. They're not as fancy looking as the more mainstream brands, but they do the job quite well for their price tag (approx 700-800$ for a Gazelle). They come in various size and weight. The first one I bought was a Pangolin that I used everyday for work and play, in an average of 12hrs/day, and lasted 4 years, before the display started…

What was your experience with battery life? I had a Pangolin around 2010 that I loved, but the battery would only last 1.5-2 hours.

I have a Thinkpad 430s with a bay battery now, which gets 4-6 hours of battery life. I would have a hard time going back to a machine with a battery life much shorter than that.

Re: Ask HN: Best current Linux-compatible laptop?

#90

Post by pan_sapien »

pan_sapien wrote: post #84

I'm currently using a Dell M3800 with Ubuntu 14.04. It works great for software development and 14.04 improved support for high DPI screens. Dell's Sputnik project seems to have worked out the kinks as I haven't had any problems with hardware support.

The XPS 15 is the same machine with a different GPU if you want to save a few $s.
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