Advice for a Linux Laptop in 2025
-
Do they just use the good ones in new models now?
-
You're worried about the screen being worn out? How does a screen wear out (excluding maybe oled burn in, but this aint oled). And a good chassis shouldn't show that much wear after a few years.
-
You can get a used thinkpad T480 off eBay for ~$150. I've dropped it multiple times and spilled orange juice on it and it works perfectly fine. No issues running Linux mint Debian edition. Main drawback is the fan which isn't the most efficient at cooling, but it is upgradeable.
-
Consider taking a look at this criminally underrated Linux-first vendor: NovaCustom. Prices aren't cheap, unfortunate. But it boasts hardware from about a year ago. Furthermore, NovaCustom takes Libre very seriously: from supporting coreboot to offering blob-free WiFi-cards.
-
If the laptop is old enough to merit CPU upgrade, then its likely already experienced plenty of wear and tear. Also I never said anything about the screen wearing out, I specifically said the case. I gave credit that at least the screen would carry over
-
I don’t want to denigrate people that it works for, because I know the people that love them love them.
Has the battery life (more specifically drain while in suspend) gotten better? I’ve heard horror stories on that, port availability (pretty limited ports because each port attachment takes up so much space) and some complaints about build quality and durability.
-
reusing 90% of the parts
Oops you need a whole new mainboard anyway to upgrade the CPU... oops you need new DDR5 RAM for the new CPU... oops these framework parts cost a premium at about the same cost as a new laptop anyay. Congrats, you now have an upgraded laptop in an old case that's already gone through wear and tear...
-
What "merits" needing a CPU upgrade? I upgraded from a core i9 11950h to a 13900h machine because I needed more performance. That 11th gen machine still looks pristine besides one spot where a cat bit the corner of the lid. Even my piddling around machine wasn't up to snuff and upgraded from a 10th gen i5 to a 12th gen system. That machine's keyboard was a bit worn when I first got it, but it's not (appreciably) worse now. Besides that and maybe the palm rest the chassis is in pretty good condition. Why does it matter if the keycaps are a little smooth? Or there's a small scuff on one corner. Or a cat punctured the bezel of the display and somehow didn't break anything.
-
I'm loving my Framework, have Mint on there. Thinkpads are also well regarded I believe
-
Either you're holding onto the case for many many years continuously upgrading, which I question why an old case is so valuable to not just replace it too when you replace the entire mainboard, or you're not, which makes me question the entire "upgradeable" concept.
Either way it doesn't really make sense. You can already easily upgrade the parts that don't require a whole new mainboard on literally any other laptop (hard drives, RAM, network card, battery).
-
Depends on budget but if your budget is above $800 get a framework they are awesome and work great with Linux if your budget is below that look at an e series Thinkpad or used thinkpad on eBay that fits your budget
-
If something supports linux-libre kernel, it supports all distros. See https://guix.gnu.org/manual/en/html_node/Hardware-Considerations.html
Also:
https://www.h-node.org/ -
Oops you need a whole new mainboard anyway to upgrade the CPU
Yes that would be the 10% I was referring to.
oops you need new DDR5 RAM for the new CPU
...and the other new computer you want to buy doesn't?
oops these framework parts cost a premium
You pay a little more for the 10% of new parts but it's easily accounted for in the other 90%.
Congrats, you now have...an old case that's already gone through wear and tear...
...so? You saved buckets of money in the process...
-
so all the normal stuff that's normally upgradable
That's just the thing, though. Soldered RAM and even drives is becoming more and more common these days, especially in the Apple space. But, the main thing here is user replaceable. I don't know when you last swapped the RAM on a laptop, but on most consumer laptops these days it is a nightmare. With Framework, it's 5 screws (the driver for which is included in the box, but also just standard torx) and you're in, and they have a QR code to a guide on how to do the replacement for first timers. I know it can be hard to take if you're used to pulling apart computers for fun, I come from there too, but the easy user upgradeability is seriously, literally, actually a great selling point on the Framework.
Also, the case, screen, trackpad, etc that get all the wear and tear are just as easily replaced if that's your hang up.
-
Yeah but new ThinkPads comes with soldered RAMs. Even mostly all brands do the same. I think framework don't do it
-
Go to an electronics recycling center and get a retired thinkpad (or 5).
Once they’re decommissioned by corporations, they wipe the drive and send them off to be recycled. -
Yup, "Thinkpad" not the other Think... or ...pad. The consumer targeted stuff is bad, even the Lenovo sales rep I got my P14s told me so.
-
I don't like that their 14" model only comes with intel CPUs
-
I've been eyeing the slimbook lineup as of late. I am just waiting for someone to drop a review of the slimbook creative.
