Most of what the author describes as features of the perfect laptop can be found in the Tadpole SPARCbook (new technology excepted): https://jasoneckert.github.io/myblog/sparcbook3000st-the-coo...
The Perfect Laptop
181–190 of 354 posts
Re: The Perfect Laptop
#182For me the perfect laptop was actually the Chromebook Pixel LS from 2015. Retina 3:2 touchscreen display in a 13in aluminum shell with a really good trackpad, usb-c, and built in webcam. Could be configured with 16GB of RAM though the ssd topped out at 64GB, but it was a laptop, I wasn't going to be storing games or media on it.
However that generation of the Chromebook Pixel had a defect of some sort where the adhesives in the screen breakdown after about 6-7 years and leak into the display, causing discoloration. In fact if you have one of these and have left it untouched for a good amount of time you should check it, there's probably adhesive that has leaked onto the keyboard.
This single incident where my favorite laptop is basically unusable after 6-7 years with no way to raid another one for a spare display (they all have this problem, and their display isn't interchangeable with the 2013 model)is why I'm an even bigger proponent of right to repair and easily upgradeable or interchangeable parts. If I had my way of things, I'd simply open up the computer every few years and replace the motherboard with something more modern but keep the shell. If I knew how to design motherboards or replace laptop displays without completely destroying or scratching the chassis I would. Watching the screen slowly discolor and turn to a milky blue is almost like watching a beloved dog get old and develop cataracts.
Re: The Perfect Laptop
#183Earlier quoted context omitted.
The trackpads are great (assuming new models are similar to past models), and the keyboards are IMO very good, but watch out for the squashed key dimensions on the SR and QR, and the Japanese layout.
The 12.x" models occasionally make it in to other APAC markets with US ANSI keyboards: https://ap.connect.panasonic.com/sg/en/products/toughbook/to... Shame that they are not more widely available.
I didn't know they were still doing it! But it's disappointing that it doesn't have the optical drive.
But I see you can buy the English keyboard on eBay.
Re: The Perfect Laptop
#184HP DV2000 keyboard. Unbelievably good by modern standards, better than many older thinkspads
Re: The Perfect Laptop
#185Earlier quoted context omitted.
Created an account just to comment - what is awful about 16:9, or "low res" about 1920x1080, for a laptop?
You inspired me to do the same. It's my first comment here: don't buy any puri.sm products. Or better say, think thrice before doing so. I used to own Librem 15 v4 which I bought in April 2020. Everything was bad. Just barely usable as a laptop. In January 2022 I spilled a water on the keyboard and some keys got stuck, so it kept on typing some letters sporadically. Tried to replace keyboard –> 150$ + delivery becaus…
I'm an owner of Librem 5, Librem 15v3 and Librem 14. First one is the best phone one can dream of: runs desktop GNU/Linux without any proprietary blobs, has a replaceable battery (and I do have a spare one), WiFi and modem, kill switches (for camera/mic, WiFi/Bluetooth, modem), lifetime updates (from mainline Linux). Runs as a desktop if you connect a screen/keyboard.
Librem 15 is an amazing machine, still my daily driver with Qubes OS. Great keyboard, upgradeable RAM and disk, doesn't require any blobs in the userland.
Librem 14 is even better, with two .m2 SSD, upgradeable and powerful. Definitely checks many boxes in TFA. Too smal for my taste but great for travelling.
Yes, Purism has problems with refunds. Don't buy if you want to cancel your order. Everything else is great. Also, forums say that first versions of their devices may have rough edges. Wait until they are well tested to be sure. Librem 14 is well tested and many early problems were solved. Same for Librem 5.
Re: The Perfect Laptop
#186Earlier quoted context omitted.
I use a 13” M2 and it’s by far the best laptop I’ve ever used. The only things it doesn’t check off is the HDMI out and other ports issues IMO.
FWIW the 14" and 16" M2 pro/max Macbook Pros have HDMI, SDXC, three usb-c ports, and a headphone jack.
I strongly prefer portability to port availability.
I work with my laptop only. No peripherals and I move around a lot. Makes it easier for me to work this way.
Re: The Perfect Laptop
#187I don't like that Lenovo is put shoulder to shoulder with Apple here. I have never personally owned a macbook, but my SO has and they are multiple classes above anything Lenovo has made in the past decade. My work gives me a P1 and I liked it for the first year (especially with that mobile xeon with every ISA extension on the block), but I am growing tired of it. Here is the short list: the touchpad drops out, blue s…
Every single issue you mention has to do with Microsoft's Windows, including the touchpad drop outs that are likely W11 palm detection.
Re: The Perfect Laptop
#188> another Apple can’t put my finger on why this is so much better than everyone else things Once you’ve used a Mac touchpad, it’s impossible to go back to a Windows/Linux laptop. I’ve tried…
I did not find this to be true.
Re: The Perfect Laptop
#189I don't like that Lenovo is put shoulder to shoulder with Apple here. I have never personally owned a macbook, but my SO has and they are multiple classes above anything Lenovo has made in the past decade. My work gives me a P1 and I liked it for the first year (especially with that mobile xeon with every ISA extension on the block), but I am growing tired of it. Here is the short list: the touchpad drops out, blue s…
Every single issue you mention has to do with Microsoft's Windows, including the touchpad drop outs that are likely W11 palm detection.
I've had almost the exact same list of problems on my Dell XPS 13 running Linux.
Re: The Perfect Laptop
#190I don't like that Lenovo is put shoulder to shoulder with Apple here. I have never personally owned a macbook, but my SO has and they are multiple classes above anything Lenovo has made in the past decade. My work gives me a P1 and I liked it for the first year (especially with that mobile xeon with every ISA extension on the block), but I am growing tired of it. Here is the short list: the touchpad drops out, blue s…
Every single issue you mention has to do with Microsoft's Windows, including the touchpad drop outs that are likely W11 palm detection.
At the end of the day, it doesn't matter to the end user whether it is due to the OS maker or the hardware manufacturer.
That distinction would only matter if the comparison was limited to Windows laptops only, because that would establish a baseline that is the same for every single option. Some people want nothing to do with any OS outside of Windows, and that't their choice, nothing wrong with that. Once Windows-only limitation is gone, that distinction becomes kinda pointless.