I'm using a librebooted ThinkPad x200 with Debian Stable and an AFFS display panel as my daily driver. It's great, I hope it never dies.
Out of curiosity - what password manager do you use?
Ask HN: What is the best laptop to run Linux in 2019?
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Re: Ask HN: What is the best laptop to run Linux in 2019?
#42Not only Dell XPS13 works out of the box AND ships with Linux, with Fedora it was one of the first platforms where where you can update the BIOS and all other system firmware straight from the OS.
Truly a first class experience.
Also, the 20 hour battery life is second to none.
Re: Ask HN: What is the best laptop to run Linux in 2019?
#43That really depends on what you want to do with it. In general, avoid Nvidia and buy based on your requirements. Outside of Nvidia graphics, hardware works pretty well, though it seems higher end non-Apple hardware tends to work better.
I'm currently in the market for a laptop as well (I primarily use Linux), and an AMD APU seems like a perfect fit because they have 4 cores and pretty good graphics. I'm intrigued by the Thinkpad A485 because I love the Thinkpad line, but I've heard this particular line has throttling issues. The E485 doesn't have the throttling issues, but it doesn't have a big battery, so I may go for that and a battery backup.
The main issue I've had and seen with running Linux on a laptop has been wireless, but you can usually swap it out for an Intel WiFi chip, which usually work really well under Linux.
There is so much variation in available laptops, so you really need to decide what you want to do with it and then find a set of laptops that have the specs you want. Once you have a list, check reviews from Linux users to make sure there aren't any weird problems.
Re: Ask HN: What is the best laptop to run Linux in 2019?
#44Hardware-wise, I'm interested in the smallest, lightest package that can still run dev tools. I got a Surface Go as a daily driver 2nd laptop and it's just fine. It's still running Win10 + WSL.
If I we're looking for a full-time laptop, I'd seriously consider the latest Surface Pro, it's the right size+weight and many have worked to get Linux to run well on them. The 3:2 aspect ratio is awesome too--I can't stand 16:9 for dev unless it's 27".
Re: Ask HN: What is the best laptop to run Linux in 2019?
#45As other commentators ask, for what?
I recently looked for a Linux-friendly laptop for development and general use. Linux compatibility, performance, and price were my motivators.
I ended up with a Dell Outlet XPS 15 for just under $1300, including 2-yr warranty.
Installed Pop OS, and after a few initial hiccups, I could not be happier. Best Linux OS I've used and the most powerful machine I've ever owned.
6-core 8th-gen i7-8750, 32GB RAM, GeForce GTX 1050 Ti, and 1TB SSD.
Couldn't find anything comparable anywhere else. I _highly_ recommend Pop OS, too.
Re: Ask HN: What is the best laptop to run Linux in 2019?
#46I'm using a librebooted ThinkPad x200 with Debian Stable and an AFFS display panel as my daily driver. It's great, I hope it never dies.
Out of curiosity - what password manager do you use?
Not OP but I use Bitwarden and it's awesome. You can host it yourself, and has all the browser plugins / apps you need.
Re: Ask HN: What is the best laptop to run Linux in 2019?
#47Thinkpads have already been mentioned but I also highly recommend the Dell Latitude, especially the 7490. They have fantastic keyboards, great battery life, and absolutely amazing displays (among the best 1920x1080 displays I have seen on a laptop). Plus they run many Linux distributions out of the box with minimal configuration. If you live in the US or Europe I'd recommend the US/UK Dell Outlet. You can get a Dell…
I looked a those, but found the 5400 series more practical (I use a 5480). US keyboard, 3 button mouse, and it has the same screen resolution, but a slightly more readable dot pitch.
For me the choice was based on the 3 button mouse, and the screen pitch.
What annoys me is that the only way to get the USA keyboard (for a UK purchase) was that the machine was procured in the USA.
This is one thing Apple get right - offering the USA keyboard layout in the UK market. That said, I don't like the feel of the current Macbook keyboards.
Re: Ask HN: What is the best laptop to run Linux in 2019?
#48Re: Ask HN: What is the best laptop to run Linux in 2019?
#49X1 carbon 6th runs smoothly on antergos
My girlfriend has it and it just won't go to sleep even with tlp installed :/
Re: Ask HN: What is the best laptop to run Linux in 2019?
#50I have a Galago Pro from system76 and love both the hardware and System76 tech support for Ubuntu, on a few occasions where I have run into trouble where I needed help.