StarFighter 16-Inch • Hacker News Board

Re: StarFighter 16-Inch

#21

Post by SilverElfin » Wed, May 06, 2026, 3:07 AM UTC

jxcole wrote: post #4

SilverElfin wrote: post #3

They aren’t US based right? Does that mean tariffs for US shipping? Are these a good pick for a non-programmer who is interested in Linux but intimidated by it?

Have you tried it out? https://askubuntu.com/questions/629632/can-you-boot-ubuntu-s...

A long time ago. But I ran into all sorts of issues. It was a struggle getting things like Bluetooth or WiFi working. And I just couldn’t get myself to feeling like I could ‘trust it’. Like that I wouldn’t break it and somehow lose all my data in th process.

Re: StarFighter 16-Inch

#22

Post by d3Xt3r » Wed, May 06, 2026, 3:07 AM UTC

SilverElfin wrote: post #3

They aren’t US based right? Does that mean tariffs for US shipping? Are these a good pick for a non-programmer who is interested in Linux but intimidated by it?

Check out System76 and Framework, they're based in the US and ship Linux machines.

Re: StarFighter 16-Inch

#23

Post by miek » Wed, May 06, 2026, 3:08 AM UTC

paulpauper wrote: post #11

lol Up to 18 hrs battery life if you put it in sleep mode maybe. why do people keep lying about battery life?

Light usage on low brightness? Nice to know it will last for a long flight.

Re: StarFighter 16-Inch

#24

Post by ufmace » Wed, May 06, 2026, 3:08 AM UTC

SilverElfin wrote: post #3

They aren’t US based right? Does that mean tariffs for US shipping? Are these a good pick for a non-programmer who is interested in Linux but intimidated by it?

Looks like they're UK based. I don't know, but apparently tariffs etc are factored into the shipping fees shown on their site.

If you're not sure if you want to go Linux yet, it's probably best to try a live USB stick of a few distros on your existing hardware. Get a feel for what the interface is like, how things work, how it works on your hardware, etc, without actually changing anything. Seems like a better bet to me than buying all-new hardware.

Re: StarFighter 16-Inch

#25

Post by frankmatranga » Wed, May 06, 2026, 3:09 AM UTC

AngryData wrote: post #13

I don't know how anybody can stand not having a numpad.

What do you use yours for? All I’ve ever missed it for was the default Blender keybinds for the camera perspective

Re: StarFighter 16-Inch

#26

Post by bryanlarsen » Wed, May 06, 2026, 3:10 AM UTC

operatingthetan wrote: post #6

It would have been better if they didn't make it look a little bit too inspired by the Macbook Pro.

There isn't exactly a lot of design freedom in a black rectangle with a screen a keyboard and a touchpad. A real Macbook copy would include Macbook misfeatures, like:

- control key in wrong place - camera notch - half sized arrow keys

Re: StarFighter 16-Inch

#27

Post by wtallis » Wed, May 06, 2026, 3:10 AM UTC

AngryData wrote: post #13

I don't know how anybody can stand not having a numpad.

I only use a number pad for playing a few games, and for bulk data entry. Neither of those use cases are something I prefer using my laptop for, and even on my desktops they're rare enough that I'd much rather have the number pad separate and largely out of the way.

What do you use a number pad for often enough to not only see it as mandatory for you, but to leave you unable to imagine how anyone could live without it?

Re: StarFighter 16-Inch

#28

Post by miek » Wed, May 06, 2026, 3:10 AM UTC

AngryData wrote: post #13

I don't know how anybody can stand not having a numpad.

For serious work, I'm docked and using a large monitor, split keyboard, etc. Many people make concessions when on a laptop.

Re: StarFighter 16-Inch

#29

Post by sho_hn » Wed, May 06, 2026, 3:11 AM UTC

operatingthetan wrote: post #6

It would have been better if they didn't make it look a little bit too inspired by the Macbook Pro.

I think in reality it will look/feel a fair bit different due to the ceramic-coated material.

Asus has similar materials in recent models I believe; I rather like it.

Re: StarFighter 16-Inch

#30

Post by dylan604 » Wed, May 06, 2026, 3:11 AM UTC

wtallis wrote: post #8

Is there something new here? The processor options seem to be two generation old Intel, one generation old Intel, and one generation old AMD.

I have the Intel Core i9 in my 2019 MBP, and it gets so damn hot. How do the ones offered here compare? I'm not one to upgrade frequently, but the heat of this thing makes me go looking. Luckily, it sits on a stand on a desk with more 9s than github is up.