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I used to use a Dell Inspiron for a long time, I was very happy with the Linux support and reliable hardware. I switched to a Thinkpad, specifically the T495. There are no problems with running Linux on it, the performance is really good, the battery life is great and the keyboard is superb. It has the added benefit of a Ryzen processor instead of an Intel one as well.
I've purchased one two months ago, and it's great. Ubuntu worked out of the box (the only exception being the fingerprint reader), and it runs smoothly. The screen is sharp, and it's super light. I'm happy with mine.
That's nice to hear. Is the screen enough for writing code? I'm used to 15 but I guess I'd get used to 13.4.
I do spend most of my time on my laptop in bed with my knees up though, so the laptop is closer to my face.
That being said, I love my XPS 13 with Ubuntu. Battery life is good, everything just works, build quality is high, and the screen is beautiful (I got the 4k one and run it at 200%).
I won’t be going back to apple ever again (and I used them for 13 years). I feel much more at home in linux.
Once I got the track pad settings right, I haven’t had any complaints. Issue with the track pad was touches while typing. Can’t recall now, but some setting I found in Ubuntu fixed it.
I find the screen great. Although more recently I’ve been coding longer hours on it, I find the keyboard a bit small. I’m looking for a 27” 4K external monitor and mechanical keyboard at the moment.
The speakers are not great, pretty quiet. But you can over drive them if necessary. But if you care about sound quality you’ll use headphones.
Everything has just worked with Ubuntu. Been very impressed. Came from a MacBook Air, and I was nervous but now I’d never go back to OSX.
Current issues: Screen distorted - Have to use external monitor Laptop randomly freezes for 30s - Great for meetings Bluetooth randomly disconnects all devices WiFi randomly disconnects
Maybe Dell have these issues fixed but their support is pretty bad for known issues, I’ve had several Dell laptops in the past and things just go wrong over time. I’d definitely check out the support pages before you make any decision.
I’m not sure who is considered the best Windows Laptop manufacturer anymore.
My girlfriend has a MacBook and doesn’t seem to have any of the issues I’m plagued with, but again this is anecdotal.
I would recommend strongly to not buy Dell laptops. The quality of the laptops are very bad. I bought a XPS 15 two years ago for around €2000 and the screen isn’t working anymore. The laptop hasn’t moved from my desk. Look at the support pages, there’s so many issues with no resolutions. Current issues: Screen distorted - Have to use external monitor Laptop randomly freezes for 30s - Great for meetings Bluetooth rand…
Mostly they just work and are fine for coding if you don't need a lot of oomph. The niggles are the battery life, which is so-so and that Gnome doesn't support mixed resolution screens well (I have the hidpi xps with a 2k external).
I've also been using a Latitude 7400 daily until quite recently and that was better (good battery life, lower res screen worked better with the external monitor) and has better built-in connectivity if you care for the rather "industrial" styling. Marginally better keyboard layout too IMO.
Don't buy Dell docks btw - I had lots of problems with those and when they need firmware upgrades you can't do it from Linux; I'm having much more luck with a Belkin one.
I'd probably go for the Latitude if I was in the market for a new laptop right now.
I've been using XPS 13 9350 then 9380 for a good while with Ubuntu. Mostly they just work and are fine for coding if you don't need a lot of oomph. The niggles are the battery life, which is so-so and that Gnome doesn't support mixed resolution screens well (I have the hidpi xps with a 2k external). I've also been using a Latitude 7400 daily until quite recently and that was better (good battery life, lower res scree…
It was dropped on concrete once by its corner (have some bite marks left on the case from that incident), spilled stuff over it, also I've used it in dusty environments, and I'm the person who never cleans their stuff. The display is dusty and the keyboard is filthy. But it just works, and I said to myself that I won't get another one until it fails. I think I might have to destroy it myself, otherwise will be stuck with it forever!
Notes: * The carbon-fiber-like fabric that covers the palm area is just dissolving itself. It also collects grease, so it is really not a nice thing to touch after all these years. Good thing is that it can be scrapped off, and the remaining surface is clean.
* It does not have a full keyboard. I use a Thinkpad for work and that one has separate PgUp/PgDn/Home/End/Insert/Del keys, which you won't find on the XPS. Personally for me that would exclude the XPS as a work laptop, because I wouldn't be able to use it without an external keyboard. The touchpad is excellent on the XPS though.
* watch out for the wifi module, and whether it is soldered on the motherboard or can be changed. Dell have a tendency to use non-linux friendly Broadcom / Killer chips, in fact, when it came out I had to get an Intel module to get stuff working. May not be an issue anymore?
Are you sure you want such a small laptop for work? I'd go for a larger screen tbh (but if you have an external monitor then it's not a problem).