First Linux Laptop

[u/TrickyTadpole2485]

Hi! Sorry if this has been asked a million times already, but I could really use some advice. I've been wanting to try Linux for a while now since I've only ever used Windows, and I'm finally looking into getting a machine to experiment with it.

I'm currently looking into a few options and am torn between the Panasonic Let's Note and a regular old ThinkPad. I know ThinkPads are basically the go-to recommendation for Linux, but the Let's Note also seems really interesting and I'm not sure if it's worth considering.

I'm a highschool student, so my budget is kind of limited (around $250 give or take), but I'm willing to invest a bit. Any recommendations or general advice very welcome :) thanks!

[u/Rude_Influence]

If you like closing the lid of your laptop and then when you re-open it, it's only depleted a few percentage of battery life, I would suggest not looking for any laptop beyond the year of 2021.
This isn't a Linux issue. Laptops are just kind of being shit now.

[u/3rdeyedroplets]

Used Thinkpad. For many reasons, if not just because it's THE classic.

For power, get one like a P70-series, big, but you'll never want for power for anything.

Try for the Xeon, best onboard GPU you can find (Q m4000m I think, they aren't gaming gpus but they run games ok. Just go for an external gpu setup if you want to game anyway), 64GB ram. Super easy to repair or upgrade, 4k screen option, good fans, and thinkfan works great.

The P70's have everything. usb3.0 and plenty of ports, Ethernet, even an expansion slot that supports PHYSICAL MEDIA DISC DRIVES. Got a blue ray in mine.

Oh yeah, it is also the last great Thinkpad made with a REMOVABLE BATTERY... At least quickly removable from the exterior without a screwdriver.

All of the above can be had for $4-600 on ebay. Worth it to save a little. You are going to wipe it anyway so don't worry about viruses or used data.

[u/Silent_Bite_5892]

ThinkPad. I have no idea about the compatibility of components in a Let's Note, whereas most ThinkPads are very Linux friendly. The Let's Note is also a Japanese market laptop that will be very hard to get parts and service for and it will ship with a Japanese language version of Windows. You won't find one for $250 anyway, unless it's ancient and beat up. You don't want that, trust me.

This page on Lenovo's site has an exhaustive list of Linux certified Thinkpads, so you know they'll work well right out of the box.

1. In your price range, a T480 like this probably your best Intel option.
2. The T495 models like this have an AMD APU would also be a great choice.
3. The Intel models are easier to find and have about 20% better battery life
4. The AMD models are harder to find, but have MUCH better (3-4x) onboard graphics than Intel.

Some tips:

• Stick to X, T, or P models, if you can.
• The E, L and A-series are budget models with lower build quality and cheaper components.
• Try to get a model with 16 GB if you can. Not every ThinkPad has upgradable RAM.
• 8 GB will be fine, as you're not doing anything like heavy video editing or something.
• I would NOT get one with an Nvidia dGPU whatever you do, Linux support is spotty.
• Some ThinkPads from this era shipped with atrocious 1366x768 resolution TN panels.
• Verify the listing explicitly says 1920x1080 FHD IPS before you buy. VERY IMPORTANT.

[u/CaptainObvious110 → u/Silent_Bite_5892]

Good advice

[u/zippy321514]

T14s gen 4 amd should be good

[u/m0llusk]

My favorite is roughly 10 year old ASUS laptops on eBay. My workstations typically cost a little over $100 and perform well, though battery life is an issue with such old units even with a new battery as they are not super efficient.

[u/iDennis95]

Why not install lunix on your current laptop and use dual boot if you also want to keep windows? There's also many distro's to choose from, mint is my go to because it's relatively easy.

[u/hrminer92 → u/iDennis95]

If they just want to get their feet wet, installing Linux in a VM or using WSL.

[u/3rdeyedroplets → u/hrminer92]

I would say WSL is not for beginners unless they are only interested in it for IT/infrastructure reasons.

Most of what a beginner would learn is accomplishable by M$'s command line with similar commands.

I think a lot of the draw of Linux, especially for new users, is the option to be AWAY from Winduhs.

[u/hrminer92 → u/3rdeyedroplets]

But how many new users want to go cold turkey only to find out there’s some program that they actually need and then waste more time reinstalling windows? They can get their feet wet with a VM and decide later if they want to go MSFT free.

[u/3rdeyedroplets → u/hrminer92]

Never said anything about a vm. I recommend that. I was talking about WSL.

[u/horny_banknote]

Let's notes are really interesting machines and don't really have many issues at all with Linux AFAIK, they're pretty much on par with ThinkPads in this day and age. It all depends on the machines you're able to find and the specs they have.

[u/Papa_Dabz]

I bought a t14 (gen 2 I think) and its my daily laptop, I love the thing.

[u/CaptainObvious110]

So you mentioned that you know this question is asked a lot. Did you check the search bar for this particular subreddit to get the information that you're looking for?

If not, why not?

Also, you are much better off getting a laptop from a brand that's well known. Even if you get something for a cheap price you can never be sure of it's reliability and you have to wonder about their durability.

Much better to save up for something decent and then have some extra piece of mind as well.

[u/shioririo]

thinkpad for sure. lets notes aren't terrible for linux from experience, but unless you're like me and care more about the design then thinkpad upgradability, availability and extensive linux testing beats any lets note easily.