Ask HN: I Want to have a small Linux laptop. What are my options?
71–80 of 85 posts
Re: Ask HN: I Want to have a small Linux laptop. What are my options?
#72Earlier quoted context omitted.
I also have a windows VM on my laptop. That doesn't make my laptop a windows machine. A from-the-bios-up linux install is a fundamentally different security scheme than having the ability to run linux software in a VM.
In this case I'd argue the Chromebook is much more secure from the firmware up
It's much more owned by someone other than you, and so neither you nor I can say much of anything about it's security.
Re: Ask HN: I Want to have a small Linux laptop. What are my options?
#73Earlier quoted context omitted.
In this case I'd argue the Chromebook is much more secure from the firmware up
That would depend on how much you trust google. I don't trust any vendor enough to lock myself into particular OS. I prefer the ability to ditch one flavor of linux for another on a moment's notice.
If ultimate control of the machine was the top consideration then I agree.
On the other hand, if the goal is to have a small, light, portable, good-on-battery laptop that can run Linux console apps (with the ability to powerwash to firmware if the user suspects malware) then maybe a chromebook would be better
Re: Ask HN: I Want to have a small Linux laptop. What are my options?
#74I am quite happy with my 12th gen 13" Framework running NixOS. Everything I need seems to work out of the box (sleep/resume (not using hibernate though), Touchpad, camera, mic, etc) and seems quite stable. The 13th Gen (w/i7 only?) has a bigger batter so battery life should be better (a chief concern for some - though I am almost always plugged in). The new version also has an option for a matte screen. There's also…
+1 on this, I've got a 11th gen 13" Framework running Archlinux. As with yours, everything works out of the box (and I do use hibernate). Waiting to see some reviews o the new AMD boards before I make the leap (hopefully sometime next year, or maybe the next AMD generation).
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Re: Ask HN: I Want to have a small Linux laptop. What are my options?
#75Earlier quoted context omitted.
I was really unimpressed with mine. I've never quite figured out what got the XPS such a good reputation. By comparison, the lg gram Just Worked, though I don't know if they make a 13" model.
My last "PC" laptop experiment was a fully loaded XPS 15. It's probably the tech purchase I regret most in my life. I cannot fathom how that $3k laptop passes for high quality. Constantly runs hot so you're not even able to take advantage of the dedicated GPU since it's always throttling. Fans are almost always running full blast. Driver issues with what is supposed to be an amazing display ruined the entire experien…
My XPS ran hot with Ubuntu 18.04 despite lots of attempts to under clock and such. However it runs like a dream under 22.04. I don't know what changed but it's a totally different machine. It's so slick and responsive it makes my M1 macbook feel sluggish. Really remarkable.
Re: Ask HN: I Want to have a small Linux laptop. What are my options?
#76If you don't need crazy big RAM or crazy big CPU, and unless it's for games you probably don't, then go old.
Old Lenovo X1 Carbons are I just bought an MS Surface Pro 5 to run Linux and the hardware is delightful. Less thrilled with Ubuntu/Gnome in tablet mode, but as a laptop it's rather good. AU$200 it cost me.
Re: Ask HN: I Want to have a small Linux laptop. What are my options?
#77How small? The GPD win 3/4 is currently top of my wish list, and it'll run Linux.
Re: Ask HN: I Want to have a small Linux laptop. What are my options?
#78I use Lenovo laptops, customised at purchase time to use mainly Intel peripheral chips for stuff like networking or display. (Only needed two since 2010, T410 followed by P53)
I use Mint MATE for my desktop environment. (Since about 2012)
It's what 'Works for Me'.
(I have never ever used Windows for my daily system. UNIX from 1991 to 2001. Linux only since 2001.)
Re: Ask HN: I Want to have a small Linux laptop. What are my options?
#79It's depend on your priority
If you're prefer better mechanical or industrial design, if you think that macbook is better, well, I'm no comment
if you're prefer long term usage, As you say, older model would less weird issue (Graphic/Wifi),
Intel cpu would less issue (My desktop Ryzen5 2400g was randomly freeze before, but that freeze issue does not occur recently, maybe half year or one year? I'm not sure it cause by kernel upgrade or I've change some configuration)
You may choose a old laptop that you're able to replace battery, ssd(avoid mount on mainboard)
my experience, I'm using asus UX31LA with linux mint (it was scrapped, waiting to discard, I've pick up from our accountant scrapyard)
intel i5-4200u
4GB ram (enable zram to increase ram space, you may pick a 8GB+ model)
256GB ssd (enough for me, but it depend on your use case)
replace battery by my own
it work over 4 years, and still working.
Re: Ask HN: I Want to have a small Linux laptop. What are my options?
#80My recommendations are:
* Framework (easy to upgrade)
* slimbook (great customer care and support and the laptop are nice)
* Dell XPS