6 ms·

My first reaction when I saw the touch bar was "Ugh this is going to cause a world of headaches when runnning Ubuntu". I was relieved to see you can still get

by randlet 10y ago

My first reaction when I saw the touch bar was "Ugh this is going to cause a world of headaches when runnning Ubuntu". I was relieved to see you can still get a MBP with physical function keys[1]. (semi-off topic: any Linux users want to chime in and recommend a 14" or 15" laptop with build quality similar to a MBP?) [1] http://www.apple.com/ca/shop/buy-mac/macbook-pro?product=MJLQ2LL/A&step=config# http://www.apple.com/ca/shop/buy-mac/macbook-pro?product=MJL... edit: thanks to everyone for the recommendations! edit 2: there's some more recommendations here: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=12815183 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=12815183

lykron 10y ago
Many people, myself included, love the Dell XPS 13.
- nextos 10y ago
  X1 Carbon is also pretty good. I miss previous generation Thinkpad keyboards, but I reckon the island one looks good and feels great on the X1C.
  - vladimir-y 10y ago
    No Thunderbolt 3 support, not even a single port, right? Lenova is outsider on the market having no TB3 support.
    - willtim 10y ago
      So was Apple yesterday.
      - vladimir-y 10y ago
        Agree, presented Apple laptops look more like mediocre devices.
- rootbear 10y ago
  The XPS 13 Ubuntu version seems to not be available. Does anyone know what's up? I tried to do a comparison yesterday with the new Macbooks and wasn't able to. The Windows version is still available. http://www.dell.com/us/business/p/xps-13-linux/pd http://www.dell.com/us/business/p/xps-13-linux/pd
  - sauerbraten 10y ago
    Here you go: http://www.dell.com/us/business/p/xps-13-9360-laptop/pd?3x_nav=OS_BRAND%3DUBUNT http://www.dell.com/us/business/p/xps-13-9360-laptop/pd?3x_n... You have to use the normal XPS 13 page and choose Ubuntu from the OS filter.
  - smhg 10y ago
    You can find it on this page: http://www.dell.com/us/business/p/xps-13-9360-laptop/pd http://www.dell.com/us/business/p/xps-13-9360-laptop/pd The most straightforward way is to select "Ubuntu" as the "Operating System" filter at the top of the models list. Outside the US you should follow the links in this article: https://bartongeorge.io/2016/10/04/the-new-xps-13-developer-edition-lands-in-europe-and-united-states/ https://bartongeorge.io/2016/10/04/the-new-xps-13-developer-...
    - memsom 10y ago
      UK Site - I can't see any way to configure with anything except Windows 10 Home.
      - smhg 10y ago
        In the Configurations section (where you see the first 4 models), you have to push Next until you are at the end of the list. The last 3 models mention Ubuntu (last 4 in the US).
  - rootbear 10y ago
    Thanks, not sure what up with that other page. As I feared, Dell still only offer the standard def screen on the lowest end model. I do not want a touch screen and I do not want the high dpi screen, if only for the extra power required. Why Dell thinks the high-end screen is desirable on a developer laptop is beyond me.
- apricot 10y ago
  If only Dell would add some keys to that keyboard! Just an extra column at right with Del / Home / PgUp / PgDn / End would make it so much more comfortable. Why copy Apple and remove things many users like?
- s_kilk 10y ago
  I was looking at that model last night, and it appears to come with max 8GB of memory. Which seems like a complete non-starter.
  - Zagitta 10y ago
    I'm using an XPS 13 with 16GB of RAM right now and I certainly didn't solder in 8GB extra so that might be regional issue :)
    - s_kilk 10y ago
      Probably, I was viewing the UK store.
- randlet 10y ago
  I really like the sounds of the XPS 13 but I'm really wary of going to a 13" screen. I currently use a 17" MBP...
crudbug 10y ago
Thinkpad P series
- pandakar 10y ago
  Purchased a p50, IMO best choice for upgradeablity.
wlesieutre 10y ago
Note that the version with function keys has a 2.0 GHz processor and 1866 MHz RAM, compared to the base touchbar configuration with 2.9 GHz and 2133 MHz. You can configure it up to a 2.4 GHz i7 for $300, bringing it to the same price as the 2.9 GHz i5 and touch bar. I don't know how those two processors compare.
- devrelm 10y ago
  Looking closer, I'm pretty sure that the non-TouchBar model is just the previous model. It has the 4th gen processors where the TouchBar models have 6th gen processors. The non-TouchBar model also still has the "smaller" touchpad and the same ports & layout as the previous models. The body itself even has the same finish as the older model. So yeah, I'm pretty sure it's just the previous model.
  - wlesieutre 10y ago
    Not sure where you're looking, the non-touchbar model is physically identical to the touchbar except that it has a function key row and two less ports. Definitely the new model, it's the same thickness, same screen, same trackpad. See the tech specs if you want to confirm: http://www.apple.com/macbook-pro/specs/ http://www.apple.com/macbook-pro/specs/
    - sliken 10y ago
      The non-touchbar model also has a 5kwh larger battery. Not a bad deal for $200 cheaper.
    - devrelm 10y ago
      Pardon. I was looking at the 15", which doesn't offer a non-Touch Bar model: http://www.apple.com/shop/buy-mac/macbook-pro?product=MJLQ2LL/A&step=config# http://www.apple.com/shop/buy-mac/macbook-pro?product=MJLQ2L... At the time, I wasn't aware that there was a new 13" non-touchbar model.
robert_foss 10y ago
Dell XPS 15. It has great build quality, a 4k screen option, 4 core CPU option and a touchscreen option. I'm quite happy with mine, having switch over from the Asus line of high end ultrabooks.
- nix0n 10y ago
  As someone who switched from Dell to Asus a few years ago, I'd like to know what you think of the XPS's touchpad?
  - severila 10y ago
    I have the XPS 13 and the touchpad is really good, probably the best I've ever tried on windows.
- slantyyz 10y ago
  I was thinking of getting one of these, but in Canada, their canned options aren't the greatest (I checked their home and small biz sites). You can't get the 4K touchscreen with the quad i7 and they don't seem to offer true BTO here any more. It's kinda ironic to me that Apple outdoes Dell at online BTO these days.
  - robert_foss 10y ago
    That is interesting, because I purchased my XPS 15 from dell.ca with an i7, 4k touch screen, 16gb ram and 512gb ssd.
vladimir-y 10y ago
I'd consider a recently updated HP Spectre x360 with newest Kaby Lake CPU. In my opinion it's a better device than Dell XPS (XPS machines still do have very well known and annoying "coil whining" issue). Mentioned it yesterday in Makbooks related topic https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=12808431 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=12808431 See details http://store.hp.com/us/en/mdp/Laptops/spectre-x360-211501--1 http://store.hp.com/us/en/mdp/Laptops/spectre-x360-211501--1 and video review https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZLEm3o9R5A https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZLEm3o9R5A and another one http://www.notebookcheck.net/HP-Spectre-x360-13-w023dx-Convertible-Review.180538.0.html http://www.notebookcheck.net/HP-Spectre-x360-13-w023dx-Conve... Also take a look at the Acer TravelMate P648 http://www.notebookcheck.net/Acer-TravelMate-P648-M-757N-Notebook-Review.167637.0.html http://www.notebookcheck.net/Acer-TravelMate-P648-M-757N-Not... Though it's more like a solid working laptop than a fancy Macbooks competitor, but looks like a good device.
- ad-hominem 10y ago
  > but looks like a good device. Sorry, to clarify, have you ever used an Acer TravelMate P648?
oolongCat 10y ago
I am duel booting ubuntu 16.04 and Windows 8 on my asus ROG-G501VW Fantastic laptop with some amazing specs. The price was just right. https://www.asus.com/ROG-Republic-Of-Gamers/ROG-G501VW/ https://www.asus.com/ROG-Republic-Of-Gamers/ROG-G501VW/ The only problem I have with it is the battery life. I am using this for around 5 months now, and the battery life when running Ubuntu is 2-3 hours only. I installed ubuntu on the ssd and windows on the hdd. I can play almost any game on this one (of course not many on ultra).
- randlet 10y ago
  Looks nice but no way can I live with that battery life.
ReverseCold 10y ago
Razer Blade, about the same price and look, but more black and green, and an Nvidia GPU. Also has near perfect Linux support, only driver other than GPU that you need to install is wifi, which someone wrote a script to setup for you.
up_and_up 10y ago
System76 has a variety of options that ship with Ubuntu: https://system76.com/laptops https://system76.com/laptops
- randlet 10y ago
  Never heard of these. Thanks for the link! Definitely looks very promising.
chrisper 10y ago
I am running Debian on my Thinkpad T460. Works great.

by randlet 10y ago

lykron 10y ago

Many people, myself included, love the Dell XPS 13.

nextos 10y ago
X1 Carbon is also pretty good. I miss previous generation Thinkpad keyboards, but I reckon the island one looks good and feels great on the X1C.
- vladimir-y 10y ago
  No Thunderbolt 3 support, not even a single port, right? Lenova is outsider on the market having no TB3 support.
  - willtim 10y ago
    So was Apple yesterday.
    - vladimir-y 10y ago
      Agree, presented Apple laptops look more like mediocre devices.
rootbear 10y ago
The XPS 13 Ubuntu version seems to not be available. Does anyone know what's up? I tried to do a comparison yesterday with the new Macbooks and wasn't able to. The Windows version is still available. http://www.dell.com/us/business/p/xps-13-linux/pd http://www.dell.com/us/business/p/xps-13-linux/pd
- sauerbraten 10y ago
  Here you go: http://www.dell.com/us/business/p/xps-13-9360-laptop/pd?3x_nav=OS_BRAND%3DUBUNT http://www.dell.com/us/business/p/xps-13-9360-laptop/pd?3x_n... You have to use the normal XPS 13 page and choose Ubuntu from the OS filter.
- smhg 10y ago
  You can find it on this page: http://www.dell.com/us/business/p/xps-13-9360-laptop/pd http://www.dell.com/us/business/p/xps-13-9360-laptop/pd The most straightforward way is to select "Ubuntu" as the "Operating System" filter at the top of the models list. Outside the US you should follow the links in this article: https://bartongeorge.io/2016/10/04/the-new-xps-13-developer-edition-lands-in-europe-and-united-states/ https://bartongeorge.io/2016/10/04/the-new-xps-13-developer-...
  - memsom 10y ago
    UK Site - I can't see any way to configure with anything except Windows 10 Home.
    - smhg 10y ago
      In the Configurations section (where you see the first 4 models), you have to push Next until you are at the end of the list. The last 3 models mention Ubuntu (last 4 in the US).
- rootbear 10y ago
  Thanks, not sure what up with that other page. As I feared, Dell still only offer the standard def screen on the lowest end model. I do not want a touch screen and I do not want the high dpi screen, if only for the extra power required. Why Dell thinks the high-end screen is desirable on a developer laptop is beyond me.
apricot 10y ago
If only Dell would add some keys to that keyboard! Just an extra column at right with Del / Home / PgUp / PgDn / End would make it so much more comfortable. Why copy Apple and remove things many users like?
s_kilk 10y ago
I was looking at that model last night, and it appears to come with max 8GB of memory. Which seems like a complete non-starter.
- Zagitta 10y ago
  I'm using an XPS 13 with 16GB of RAM right now and I certainly didn't solder in 8GB extra so that might be regional issue :)
  - s_kilk 10y ago
    Probably, I was viewing the UK store.
randlet 10y ago
I really like the sounds of the XPS 13 but I'm really wary of going to a 13" screen. I currently use a 17" MBP...

crudbug 10y ago

Thinkpad P series

pandakar 10y ago
Purchased a p50, IMO best choice for upgradeablity.

wlesieutre 10y ago

Note that the version with function keys has a 2.0 GHz processor and 1866 MHz RAM, compared to the base touchbar configuration with 2.9 GHz and 2133 MHz. You can configure it up to a 2.4 GHz i7 for $300, bringing it to the same price as the 2.9 GHz i5 and touch bar. I don't know how those two processors compare.

devrelm 10y ago
Looking closer, I'm pretty sure that the non-TouchBar model is just the previous model. It has the 4th gen processors where the TouchBar models have 6th gen processors. The non-TouchBar model also still has the "smaller" touchpad and the same ports & layout as the previous models. The body itself even has the same finish as the older model. So yeah, I'm pretty sure it's just the previous model.
- wlesieutre 10y ago
  Not sure where you're looking, the non-touchbar model is physically identical to the touchbar except that it has a function key row and two less ports. Definitely the new model, it's the same thickness, same screen, same trackpad. See the tech specs if you want to confirm: http://www.apple.com/macbook-pro/specs/ http://www.apple.com/macbook-pro/specs/
  - sliken 10y ago
    The non-touchbar model also has a 5kwh larger battery. Not a bad deal for $200 cheaper.
  - devrelm 10y ago
    Pardon. I was looking at the 15", which doesn't offer a non-Touch Bar model: http://www.apple.com/shop/buy-mac/macbook-pro?product=MJLQ2LL/A&step=config# http://www.apple.com/shop/buy-mac/macbook-pro?product=MJLQ2L... At the time, I wasn't aware that there was a new 13" non-touchbar model.

robert_foss 10y ago

Dell XPS 15. It has great build quality, a 4k screen option, 4 core CPU option and a touchscreen option. I'm quite happy with mine, having switch over from the Asus line of high end ultrabooks.

nix0n 10y ago
As someone who switched from Dell to Asus a few years ago, I'd like to know what you think of the XPS's touchpad?
- severila 10y ago
  I have the XPS 13 and the touchpad is really good, probably the best I've ever tried on windows.
slantyyz 10y ago
I was thinking of getting one of these, but in Canada, their canned options aren't the greatest (I checked their home and small biz sites). You can't get the 4K touchscreen with the quad i7 and they don't seem to offer true BTO here any more. It's kinda ironic to me that Apple outdoes Dell at online BTO these days.
- robert_foss 10y ago
  That is interesting, because I purchased my XPS 15 from dell.ca with an i7, 4k touch screen, 16gb ram and 512gb ssd.

vladimir-y 10y ago

I'd consider a recently updated HP Spectre x360 with newest Kaby Lake CPU. In my opinion it's a better device than Dell XPS (XPS machines still do have very well known and annoying "coil whining" issue). Mentioned it yesterday in Makbooks related topic https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=12808431 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=12808431 See details http://store.hp.com/us/en/mdp/Laptops/spectre-x360-211501--1 http://store.hp.com/us/en/mdp/Laptops/spectre-x360-211501--1 and video review https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZLEm3o9R5A https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZLEm3o9R5A and another one http://www.notebookcheck.net/HP-Spectre-x360-13-w023dx-Convertible-Review.180538.0.html http://www.notebookcheck.net/HP-Spectre-x360-13-w023dx-Conve... Also take a look at the Acer TravelMate P648 http://www.notebookcheck.net/Acer-TravelMate-P648-M-757N-Notebook-Review.167637.0.html http://www.notebookcheck.net/Acer-TravelMate-P648-M-757N-Not... Though it's more like a solid working laptop than a fancy Macbooks competitor, but looks like a good device.

ad-hominem 10y ago
> but looks like a good device. Sorry, to clarify, have you ever used an Acer TravelMate P648?

oolongCat 10y ago

I am duel booting ubuntu 16.04 and Windows 8 on my asus ROG-G501VW Fantastic laptop with some amazing specs. The price was just right. https://www.asus.com/ROG-Republic-Of-Gamers/ROG-G501VW/ https://www.asus.com/ROG-Republic-Of-Gamers/ROG-G501VW/ The only problem I have with it is the battery life. I am using this for around 5 months now, and the battery life when running Ubuntu is 2-3 hours only. I installed ubuntu on the ssd and windows on the hdd. I can play almost any game on this one (of course not many on ultra).

randlet 10y ago
Looks nice but no way can I live with that battery life.

ReverseCold 10y ago

Razer Blade, about the same price and look, but more black and green, and an Nvidia GPU. Also has near perfect Linux support, only driver other than GPU that you need to install is wifi, which someone wrote a script to setup for you.

up_and_up 10y ago

System76 has a variety of options that ship with Ubuntu: https://system76.com/laptops https://system76.com/laptops

randlet 10y ago
Never heard of these. Thanks for the link! Definitely looks very promising.

chrisper 10y ago

I am running Debian on my Thinkpad T460. Works great.