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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

#51

Post by azurelogic »

askonomnom wrote: post #11
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…

My mbp has 2560x1600 screen, effectively making 1080p quite bad in comparison.

This is an unfair comparison. macOS doesn't run at that resolution out of the box. Your max effective resolution is 1680x1050. Even a 15" rMBP has a max effective resolution of 1920x1200. So, 1080p is plenty competitive for dev work. Now, if all you care about is the smoothness of HiDPI, then your point is valid, but most of us care more about how much code we can fit on screen than how smooth the font looks.

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

#54

Post by michael_h »

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.

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

#56

Post by fergie »

hobarrera wrote: post #16

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

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.

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

#57

Post by IE6 »

ibotty wrote: post #49
IE6 wrote: 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?

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

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

#59

Post by sirfz »

If you're into huge laptops, I'm running Linux (Ubuntu) on an ASUS ROG G752VS right now, previously ran on G750 and G751 models. Build quality is solid and the specs are no doubt high end. However, not everything works out-of-the-box and some things have no fix as far as I know. For example with my current G752VS, the microphone port is completely useless as well as the function keys (only volume control Fn keys work). Other fixable issues are brightness control (fixed using xbacklight) and headphones jack (fixed using hdajackretask).

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

#60

Post by velobro »

lothiraldan wrote: post #24

I have a X1 Carbon 5th generation with Ubuntu 17.04. I'm very satisfied, the installation was easy, everything is working correctly, apart the fingerprint reader but biometric is a joke so no big loss. The biggest problem with this machine is the fan system, it's configured at a pretty conservative temperature and when the fan start, it does a 1-2 seconds at almost full speed which is noisy. The ports are just right…

"Biometric is a joke"

Speak for yourself because fingerprint sensor on my smartphone has changed the way I use it. Don't call the whole field of tech useless because Lenovo chooses to cheap out on their components.

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