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Ask HN: Linux laptop with MacBook-like build quality

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41–50 of 92 posts

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

#42

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 like the Razer Blades, but it is the only laptop I've ever had shutdown from overheating. Have you had any issues with cooling?

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

#45

MacBook Pro 2015. I've used ArchLinux on this with no issues. Used a 2013 MacBook Air before that, same OS (I actually used `ssh | dd` to just copy the image, rather than reinstall anything). The MBA needed non-kernel driver (which was a breeze to install anyway). The MBP uses an in-kernel one, so no issue there. It doesn't get more MacBook-like than that. :P

Oh man, piping dd through ssh! This brings back a fond memory: I was learning Unix at the time, but never used pipes for anything serious (cat | grep, not much more). I had to clone a machine at my internship; all the Windows guys used some specific tools for that, but this was a Linux box, so their tools wouldn't work. When I had the idea of piping dd through ssh, I thought I was so clever! I was really impressed that it actually worked, too. That's when I realized the power of the Unix philosophy.

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

#46

MacBook Pro 2015. I've used ArchLinux on this with no issues. Used a 2013 MacBook Air before that, same OS (I actually used `ssh | dd` to just copy the image, rather than reinstall anything). The MBA needed non-kernel driver (which was a breeze to install anyway). The MBP uses an in-kernel one, so no issue there. It doesn't get more MacBook-like than that. :P

shh | dd? How does that work? Please say more.

Boot both machines via usb†, start ssh server on one

Depending on where the ssh server is (source or target):

    dd if=/dev/sda | ssh -C 1.2.3.4 dd of=/dev/sda
    ssh -C 1.2.3.4 dd if=/dev/sda | dd of=/dev/sda
† or mount the source / as ro, or systemd-switchroot to a ramdisk. Just make sure that source / is not getting writes. Or not, if you don't care.

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

#47
In my opinion I find that the hard truth is that (1) linux battery performance will always be worse than windows and (2) over time linux will completely destroy your battery.

I've found that using a thinkpad and the TLP program helps 1 by setting some sane defaults and allowing for customization and it helps 2 by allowing the computer to better maintain the battery.

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

#49
post #47

In my opinion I find that the hard truth is that (1) linux battery performance will always be worse than windows and (2) over time linux will completely destroy your battery. I've found that using a thinkpad and the TLP program helps 1 by setting some sane defaults and allowing for customization and it helps 2 by allowing the computer to better maintain the battery.

References?

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

#50

MacBook Pro 2015. I've used ArchLinux on this with no issues. Used a 2013 MacBook Air before that, same OS (I actually used `ssh | dd` to just copy the image, rather than reinstall anything). The MBA needed non-kernel driver (which was a breeze to install anyway). The MBP uses an in-kernel one, so no issue there. It doesn't get more MacBook-like than that. :P

I guess dd is convenient if you want to keep the same partitions, but it's not generally necessary to do an exact bit copy to copy a Linux setup. You can use rsync or cp to copy, and then run update-grub on the target to make it bootable.
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