Ask HN: Best Linux/dev laptop as of October 2015?

15 points by sashazykov 10 years ago | 28 comments

I want to replace my macbook air 11 by something light, quiet and running linux. Is it possible now?

smt88 10 years ago |

It'd be hard for us to make this decision for you. Some people feel like they really need a huge screen, some don't. You have lots of personal preferences that we don't know.

Here's a process you can follow to decide, though:

1. Find a laptop you like that's in your price range.

2. Buy the laptop, making sure it has a no-questions-asked return policy with no restocking fee (Amazon, Microsoft, and certain OEMs all have this). I think the Dell XPS 13/15 are good places to start, as Dell officially supports Linux on these.

3. Try your favorite Linux distro by booting "live" from a USB drive. Ubuntu is a good option for laptops because you can usually Google "ubuntu [insert problem] [insert laptop]" and find a forum post about it.

4. If Linux doesn't work well enough for you, return the laptop and start again at step 1. I haven't so far had any more issues with Ubuntu on a laptop than I have on a desktop, so I don't know that you'd have to do this many times. To be honest, though, the problems on both laptops and desktops were too great, and I finally switched back to Windows after 5 years. Your mileage will vary, I'm sure.

sfilipov 10 years ago | |

Just a reminder regarding the Dell XPS. Dell officially supports Linux on these only on the developer editions. The Windows versions differ in things like the Wi-Fi module and are not recommended if you plan to use Linux.

smt88 10 years ago | | |

> Windows versions differ in things like the Wi-Fi module

Really? That's odd. Is there a parts sheet that lets you check which module the Windows version uses?

calvins 10 years ago |

I've been using a Samsung Series 9 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0082PZ1JU) with Linux for about three years and I've been very happy with the laptop.

All the special function keys work, battery life is good, sleep works, etc. The only imperfection is that after I close the lid and it goes to sleep, when I reopen it, it forgets that I've disabled the trackpad, so I have to press the function button that disables the trackpad each time it comes back from sleep (I use an external mouse).

sashazykov 10 years ago | |

Which linux do you use? I really like how samsung series 9 looks like, and I suggested my friend to buy it three years ago. He also like the laptop, but he told me that he has some performance problems in ubuntu.

calvins 10 years ago | | |

I use ubuntu, and haven't noticed any performance issues. What sorts of things did your friend report?

Edit: I have a model with 8GB RAM and SSD, but some models have less RAM and solid-state drives.

gnulnx 10 years ago |

I am a big fan of the Asus Zenbook Core M (http://www.ultrabookreview.com/5868-asus-zenbook-ux305-revie...).

Low power CPU, plenty of RAM, large enough SSD, 1080p, and a matte screen. As I spend most of my time in remote SSH terminals, the Core M doesn't bother me. It is lightweight and fast enough.

I am looking forward to the updated Zenbook, supposed to be released this quarter.

Also, the price is right on.

rgoomar 10 years ago |

I have a Thinkpad T450S and it is working amazingly with Fedora 22.

It is very lightweight and battery life / support is good in Linux Kernel 4.x

kashyapc 10 years ago | |

Yep, was about to recommend this.

My configuration is about the same[] with SSD, and I'm super happy with this for my Linux/Virtualization development environment.

[] I'm using T440s, by the time I got this last year in OCT-2014, the T450s, which is reverted to the sensible clickpad (with "two right and left clickers"[1]), wasn't released yet.

[1] http://www.engadget.com/2015/01/04/lenovo-thinkpad-x1-carbon...

anonbanker 10 years ago |

I decided on a touchscreen Chromebook. flashed firmware, and installed gentoo. Runs like a dream. battery lasts for about 5 hours in KDE/Plasma 5. 3D is good enough to play minecraft at 50fps with high settings. Stick a bigger hard drive in if you care, in this era of cloud computing and flash storage.

sashazykov 10 years ago | |

Thanks! Is it hard to flash it? Which one do you use?

anonbanker 10 years ago | | |

(CTRL-ALT-T to get a terminal in chrome, then type "shell") copy-paste the rom download script from johnlewis.ie, backup your firmware from the menu, then flash the firmware and boot your favorite LiveUSB of choice. I use KaOS[0] as my preferred LiveCD while I install arch (with OpenRC) or Gentoo.

I have a C720P. There are two versions. should you have the older version (cyapa touchpad module), any modern kernel will work. If you have a Elan touchpad (i.e. touchpad doesn't work on boot), you'll have to patch a kernel driver. I could create a full overlay for my gentoo modifications, but I doubt anyone would want to use it. :)

0. http://kaosx.us

wlamont 10 years ago |

I have been using a System 76 Gazelle Pro since 2012 running either Ubuntu or Mint and I love it. They are solid laptops. The help center is very friendly and knowledgeable. I had one problem when I first got my machine and they handled it in about 10 minutes with a link to a new linux kernel.

mikejmoffitt 10 years ago |

If you don't need the newest and fastest, I recommend a ThinkPad X201 (upgrade the LCD to an AFFS one if you like a little DIY), or you can go really hard and get an X61.

Debian has worked great on both.

MegaLeon 10 years ago | |

I'd say that since X201 go so cheap nowadays, you might as well add $20 to that and get a X220 instead for better hinges, trackpad and CPU juice.

mikejmoffitt 10 years ago | | |

Disagreed - the X220 top lid is flimsy and cracks easily, and the resolution is impressively terrible (WXGA! In 2015!). I do appreciate its moderate battery improvements, but I'd prefer an X201 in just about any other way.

EDIT: I almost forgot that the X220 front bezel warps outwards in even the slightest cast of sunlight on a nice day. It's pretty alarming when it's not expected.

bfrog 10 years ago |

I dig my x220, nicest laptop I've ever owned and completely repairable. I've replaced a few minor things and the screen with relative ease. I've seen a few macbook pros die bought before and after my x220 with things that just weren't repairable... forget that. If you want to buy something that lasts longer than the warranty without major hassles, get something repairable.

arunpn123 10 years ago |

I recommend Lenovo X1 carbon 3rd gen. At 2.8 pounds, it is lighter than the Macbook Air but with a bigger 14 inch screen. I run Ubuntu on it and am pretty happy with it.

bootcat 10 years ago |

I would recommend Lenovo Z70 loaded with 16GB RAM, 1TB HDD and Core i7. Its sleek, bit wide but correctly priced at $800. Also it comes with Basic NVIDIA GPU.

TurboHaskal 10 years ago |

My vote goes for the x250.

Great keyboard, nice 1080p display, trackpoint, (hot)swappable batteries and several storage options.

The trackpad sucks and RAM runs on single channel though.

justinlilly 10 years ago | |

I have this laptop. The 8gb ram is a real issue for me (due to VM usage), so I'm looking to switch away from it.

That said, aside from the memory issue.. I love this laptop.

TurboHaskal 10 years ago | | |

You could always get one of those new 16gb modules.

whatok 10 years ago |

Ubuntu 14 worked after changing some EFI garbage in the BIOS on my 2015 Lenovo Carbon X1

tmaly 10 years ago |

I got a macbook pro back in July and I just use homebrew to install the linux equivalents I need. I have a few VPS machines running Ubuntu 14.04 and all my code works fine between both environments

eecks 10 years ago | |

I got a MacBook Pro too. Couldn't find a linux laptop that was equivalent tbh

tmaly 10 years ago | | |

I really did want a real linux box, but the resolution and integration of the hardware and software on osx is really nice. I was using a asus netbook prior to this.

praveendiwakar 10 years ago |

Thinkpad T450S