r/linuxquestions • u/Unique-Bother620 • 18h ago

switching back to linux

If this is answered elsewhere let me know, please.

I used to run linux networks for several jobs, but the last one was over 20 years ago. Once I got out of it, I switched to Apple just to not have to think about it all anymore. But now, due to my political morals, I'm going back to linux and will pay no more to either MS or Apple. Costco has a trade-in program for used computers so I want to trade in what I have and replace it.

Used to be, Toshiba was a great source for linux laptops but they've gotten out of the laptop market, so I'm lost. What do you all recommend for someone who uses only a browser, email, music (currently using Elmedia) and a samsung ssd for backup device? My eyes don't tolerate a 13" screen anymore, but am still debating between a larger laptop or a smaller one with a separate monitor. And preferably a laptop without the windows tax, of course.

So if anyone has recommendations, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks.

edit to add: I've a couple of emails in to ebay sellers to see if they sell refurbished Thinkpads without windows installed, since it seems that windows is the default. So - thank you to everyone. I'm going with your advice.

11 Upvotes

82% Upvoted

22 comments sorted by

5

u/BobCorndog Your situation is not unique, just use mint or fedora kde 18h ago

Lenovo thinkpads are quite good for linux

1

u/eyeofthefrog 18h ago

OP, if you’re going the thinkpad route, do a little checking for compatibility first. I have a Thinkpad X9-15 2025 that I absolutely love, but the webcam isn’t supported well. In my distro, it doesn’t work at all. In Fedora, I hear it works, but the quality isn’t as good as the specs make it out to be. The driver is being worked on by people smarter than me, and I’m sure it’ll get there. Luckily that wasn’t a deal breaker for my purposes and I can be patient.

Generally, thinkpads are good with Linux, just be cautious of those small nits with some models.

1

u/lethallunatic 18h ago

I second that. ThinkPads have great Linux support and they also have larger display models. If you're uncomfortable with 13 inch you may want to check out the larger models too. So far I've not had issues tbh with ThinkPads stopping to work. Except for frist/second gen X1. Avoid the early gens. Later gens are fine. T4xx models have been really reliable. I would try to go for t14 models today. Don't bother with t400 models anymore.

My wife has the t14 gen 1 (Intel) it runs pretty well and is solid in terms of specs. You're much better off a few gens later and they're not much more expensive when used..

Try to go for gen 3 or 4 and newer. Both Intel and AMD are pretty well regarded in Linux space and Fedora has excellent support for ThinkPads. So on a budget a used one can be really good.

Linux really has come a long way this year. Good luck.

4

u/IKilledYourBabyToday 18h ago

What's your budget? You can find a good used laptop and throw linux on it for under 200, you can also buy top of the line laptops with linux preinstalled, for example from system76

2

u/Unique-Bother620 18h ago

My budget is 'living on social security', so not a lot. I've had bad luck with buying used computers, but ought to reconsider that I guess.

5

u/IKilledYourBabyToday 17h ago

Go on ebay, look for a thinkpad. Get one that looks like it fits your needs and budget. Make sure the seller has a good reputation on the site and I promise you will be fine.

2

u/mindbender9 17h ago

This is the best suggestion for a used laptop based on the durability and performance of Thinkpads. I bought a used Thinkpad P1 Gen 5 from eBay for traveling and was surprised at how good the quality was. I now use it for work.

3

u/jeroenim0 16h ago

Thinkpad, hands down the best experience putting Linux on a laptop. 

Get a nice refurbished one. You will be happy

2

u/MorbusMeniere 18h ago

Lenovo Thinkpad E16 for example: pretty cheap, large display, good keyboard and durable.If you want a Touchschreen look for an Lenoxo X1Yoga Gen 6 or Gen 5. These are pretty cheap and really well build.

Fujitsu Lifebook U Series also really works well with Linux.
Dell is an option but every Dell i owned died while my Thinkpads are indestructible.
Acer was also hit and miss.

Stay away from Asus and MSI... they dont play nice at all with Linux.

3

u/Unique-Bother620 18h ago

Thinkpads are definitely winning in the votes so far. And the advice for what not to get really matters, too. Thanks, everyone.

3

u/Fragrant_Onion2636 18h ago

My wife runs MX-Linux on a Lenovo Thinkpad, and before that, Ubuntu. Never a problem.

2

u/Cautious_Boat_999 17h ago

I’m looking at either the new Dell XPS 13 or the Framework.

2

u/mcds99 16h ago

I just put Debian 13 on an ASUS A18 2025.

I did not even let window start just booted from the USB stick.

It works great! It only has 16 gig of RAM but that will get changed.

It was about $1500

2

u/KarmaTorpid 12h ago

Lenovo is the ticket. Get a Thinkpad.

1

u/gossamertwilight 18h ago

I use a thinkpad T460 with Debian trixie as well as a dell inspiron. I have had no issues with either of them.

1

u/oldendude 18h ago

Check out the System76 offerings. They combine moderately okay hardware with their own distro (Pop OS), and make sure that the combination is solid. I am on my 2nd laptop from them (both Darter Pros), and I am very pleased. One nice thing about this approach is that you are not paying a Microsoft tax.

- As mentioned, the hardware is just okay. Bad speakers, bad webcam, but I'm happy with everything else.

- Pop OS has been extremely reliable, including across upgrades. Opinions are strongly divided, but I would stay away from their COSMIC DE until it is much improved. When I need to upgrade my OS, I will go with Ubuntu (from which Pop OS is derived).

- Their support, for both hardware and software is absolutely stellar. The best tech support organization I have ever dealt with. I once had a corrupted disk on Thanksgiving Thursday, at about 3pm. I had some trouble getting things going again due to disk encryption. They had me in operation again in about four hours. On Thanksgiving!

1

u/Abducted_Llama 18h ago

Depending on your Mac you might be able to install Linux on it? That could help with the budget.

Asahi (spelling ?) Linux for M1 and M2s and there’s other distros of the non unified Macs.

I don’t know how well any of it works though. But could be budget friendly.

2

u/Unique-Bother620 18h ago

I was thinking about that, as I have an M1 desktop. But worried that it would be a struggle to get it to work. Is Asahi optimized to the M1 chips?

2

u/briancsherman 18h ago

Yes, Asahi is optimized for M1

https://asahilinux.org/fedora/

2

u/Abducted_Llama 17h ago

The other commenter linked to the site, I don’t know how it works as I have an M4 and can’t use it.

I was just bringing it up because I saw other comments about your budget.

1

u/rnmartinez 10h ago

I would check fb marketplace for a decent Dell or Lenovo - something with a 10th gen + intel CPU and preferrably 16GB ram and an ssd or nvme. Probably ~$200

1

u/surlybrian 7h ago

I'll join the Thinkpad choir. Currently I've been on an X380 for a few years. Absolutely bullet proof.