Can anyone suggest a nice laptop to run Linux?

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=19290

by AF • 19 years ago

7 13 19 years ago

news.ycombinator.com

AF• 19 years ago

Hey guys...

I own an Apple and have been trying to get Ubuntu running on it. I got it to work but there's just a lot of small issues and it just doesn't feel solid.

What I'm looking for is a laptop which is somewhat attractive like Apple's stuff but will run Linux. I think Dell hardware is atrocious (and by this I mean it looks very ugly) so I'm looking for whatever else is out there. The Lenovos seem kind of nice. Does anyone have experience with them?

Thanks for any suggestions.

sprice• 19 years ago

While I don't have any personal experience with linux and laptops, I've read many reviews on the web regarding the ibm/lenovo line of Thinkpads as being about as rock solid as it gets.

sethg• 19 years ago

The sysadmins where I work (an almost-exclusively-Linux shop) swear by ThinkPads.

cwilbur2• 19 years ago

Check driver support for the particular model you're considering first -- I don't know if it's still true, but in the past some ThinkPad models had hardware in them that wasn't supported in Linux.

rjb• 19 years ago

The ThinkPad T Series are my favorite, next is the X Series. The only issues I have had running linux on then is getting fingerprint reader going... I honestly didn't even bother trying.

I have a friend who used to work on the ThinkPad line and she used to go on and on about how their line went above any other she had ever seen - In terms of cleanliness and concerns for static, loose items, hair etc.

When ever I am setting up a new client I invariably suggest ThinkPads, unless, of course, I know they are willing to give Macs a shot.

johnm2• 19 years ago

Have you tried the new VMWare or Parallels on your Apple?

vikram• 19 years ago

VMWare on macosx isn't that good. But parallels is excellent assuming you have macbook or macbook pro. I run ubuntu and it works like a dream.

davidw• 19 years ago

Nice question. Since I'm going to be bootstrapping my own firm, I need to always keep an eye on saving money, and shelling out $$$ for an apple machine just isn't justifiable for me. And in any case, I've been using Linux for more than 10 years, so I don't want Mac OS X, and certainly don't want to pay extra for it.

cwilbur2• 19 years ago

I run Fedora Core under Parallels, which is solid enough for a "does this work under Linux?" kind of test.

That said, if I had to buy a Linux laptop, I'd go for a Lenovo ThinkPad, but I'd make sure the one I bought had good driver support. Since the ThinkPads were introduced, I've only ever heard two things about running Linux on them -- "I can't find the @#$% driver for the @#$% @#$%," and "it runs beautifully."

johnm2• 19 years ago

Be careful about being penny-wise and pound-foolish.

Lots of time gets sunk into getting and keeping all of the features (that you'll end up wanting) running on Linux boxes.

I did Thinkpads for as long as they've been around and fought that fight over and over and over again. Then I finally switched my laptops (and only my laptops :-) to Apple Powerbooks. Fully outfitted it was basically the same price as the high-end Thinkpads.

orlick• 19 years ago

Lenovo Thinkpad

staunch• 19 years ago

I like 1920x1200 resolution so Apple won't work for me. Most Dell laptops work well with Linux. I always get an NVIDIA graphics card and use their driver.

Zak• 19 years ago

Ubuntuforums.org might be a better place to ask than news.YC, though I'll say I'm quite pleased with my Thinkpad Z61m. It's no longer available, but I'm pretty sure the widestreen T60 has the same hardware in a much thinner, lighter package for the same price. The Macbook-sized Z61t is also a good bet. Ubuntu almost works out of the box, though I had to install a video driver before I could start X on the live CD. Debian works with no more hassle than usual.

I've never heard Thinkpads called pretty, but they do look like the serious machines they are. Dells are mostly cheap crap, and they look the part. I wouldn't worry too much about looks - instead, consider that Thinkpads, like many Apples have magnesium frames and hard drive shock protection.

Can anyone suggest a nice laptop to run Linux?

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