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Honestly, just get a nice Linux laptop from one of several vendors. Laptops with Linux preinstalled don't suffer from the typical issues that users often compla

Honestly, just get a nice Linux laptop from one of several vendors. Laptops with Linux preinstalled don't suffer from the typical issues that users often complain about when switching from Windows. They also have the added benefit of running Linux... Don't like the desktop environment? Change it. Want more than four virtual desktops? Add more. Want/don't want fancy 3D desktop effects? Turn them on/off. You also don't have to reboot constantly to apply updates and there's literally thousands and thousands of self-updating packages you can install in seconds without having to "search the internet." And they're not just limited to "apps." Even better: If you're developing software to run on Linux servers you can test your code locally without having to upload it anywhere and you don't have to worry about zillions of platform gotchas. Lastly, with Linux you get access to all sorts of neat things natively that you just don't get to fool around with in other OSes like cool filesystems, virtualization tricks, networking features up the wazoo, low level access to hardware (many motherboards have GPIO pins you can fiddle with natively!), and lots of other "fun" stuff (well, I have fun playing around with the new toys that are regularly introduced :).

kingnothing 10y ago
I've tried Linux on the desktop in the past and it used to leave me wanting for a lot. It never just worked. How is it these days? Do you still have to constantly tinker with everything to have a UX remotely as nice as OS X or Windows?
- mr_overalls 10y ago
  I'm running Ubuntu 16.04 on a Dell Latitude, and it mostly "just works."
  - op00to 10y ago
    How's sleep work? Does the system reliably restore from sleep? How about battery life vs. Windows?
    - dsfyu404ed 10y ago
      Well, yes, the same if not better. -Debian LXDE
    - mr_overalls 10y ago
      Sleep/wake is completely rock solid. Battery life is only okay - about 5 hours - on my model (latest 7-series with smallest battery), but from what I understand, it isn't that great on Windows, either.
Gnewt 10y ago
I used to be fond of trying out new desktop environments, playing with "fun" stuff etc. At this point in my life I no longer gain a lot of enjoyment from just fiddling around (at least not usually). These days a laptop is just a tool -- and ideally, one that works efficiently so I can do the work I need to do and get on with my life. The reason I've used a MacBook Pro for so many years is because it really does "just work," or at least consistently has in the past. It's very, very rare (in my personal experience) to run into any system-related issues. I used to run Linux on a laptop and spent ages fiddling around with my Xorg, troubleshooting wireless issues, dealing with buggy desktop environments, etc... I think a lot of other people are in a similar position, in that the "neat things" and "fiddling" are a negative. I just want a machine that works well with minimal configuration. Is desktop Linux at that stage right now? Popular opinion seems to say no, but I haven't actually tried running desktop Linux since for years. (I do use Linux every single day, but it's always over ssh/tmux)
- marktangotango 10y ago
  I'm with you, I just want to get work done, I don't customize anything, the last thing I want to do is waste time configuring every machine I use (i.e. work provided machine and personal dev machines). Since I usually work in big dumb corps I use Cygwin on Windows (it has been really good for a few years now). I've been using Ubuntu for personal use since 2008. Desktop Linux has been good enough for a long time in imo. With caveats that you should research your hardware before you buy. Nowadays a lot stuff just works, like tonight I just connected a bluetooth key board to my dechromed acer c720 running xubuntu 14.04. It paired and everything worked first time. Even reconnected after restart. I even exclaimed to my wife how surprised I was. Dechroming and getting xubuntu on there was a bit of work, but the guides online were good enough. Ymmv of course.
- CaptSpify 10y ago
  It's so weird that you say that, because my DE is exactly why I use linux. I install debian, sync down my config settings from home, and (aside from wifi/sound) I'm done. I have a very minimal DE/WM setup that gets out of my way, and lets me work. I very rarely have to fiddle with anything
op00to 10y ago
I want to use a HiDPI screen and a "LoDPI" screen together. Why can't I do that on Linux (X11), barring Wayland which seems to crash pretty constantly? How will a Linux laptop help here?

kingnothing 10y ago

I've tried Linux on the desktop in the past and it used to leave me wanting for a lot. It never just worked. How is it these days? Do you still have to constantly tinker with everything to have a UX remotely as nice as OS X or Windows?

mr_overalls 10y ago
I'm running Ubuntu 16.04 on a Dell Latitude, and it mostly "just works."
- op00to 10y ago
  How's sleep work? Does the system reliably restore from sleep? How about battery life vs. Windows?
  - dsfyu404ed 10y ago
    Well, yes, the same if not better. -Debian LXDE
  - mr_overalls 10y ago
    Sleep/wake is completely rock solid. Battery life is only okay - about 5 hours - on my model (latest 7-series with smallest battery), but from what I understand, it isn't that great on Windows, either.

Gnewt 10y ago

I used to be fond of trying out new desktop environments, playing with "fun" stuff etc. At this point in my life I no longer gain a lot of enjoyment from just fiddling around (at least not usually). These days a laptop is just a tool -- and ideally, one that works efficiently so I can do the work I need to do and get on with my life. The reason I've used a MacBook Pro for so many years is because it really does "just work," or at least consistently has in the past. It's very, very rare (in my personal experience) to run into any system-related issues. I used to run Linux on a laptop and spent ages fiddling around with my Xorg, troubleshooting wireless issues, dealing with buggy desktop environments, etc... I think a lot of other people are in a similar position, in that the "neat things" and "fiddling" are a negative. I just want a machine that works well with minimal configuration. Is desktop Linux at that stage right now? Popular opinion seems to say no, but I haven't actually tried running desktop Linux since for years. (I do use Linux every single day, but it's always over ssh/tmux)

marktangotango 10y ago
I'm with you, I just want to get work done, I don't customize anything, the last thing I want to do is waste time configuring every machine I use (i.e. work provided machine and personal dev machines). Since I usually work in big dumb corps I use Cygwin on Windows (it has been really good for a few years now). I've been using Ubuntu for personal use since 2008. Desktop Linux has been good enough for a long time in imo. With caveats that you should research your hardware before you buy. Nowadays a lot stuff just works, like tonight I just connected a bluetooth key board to my dechromed acer c720 running xubuntu 14.04. It paired and everything worked first time. Even reconnected after restart. I even exclaimed to my wife how surprised I was. Dechroming and getting xubuntu on there was a bit of work, but the guides online were good enough. Ymmv of course.
CaptSpify 10y ago
It's so weird that you say that, because my DE is exactly why I use linux. I install debian, sync down my config settings from home, and (aside from wifi/sound) I'm done. I have a very minimal DE/WM setup that gets out of my way, and lets me work. I very rarely have to fiddle with anything

op00to 10y ago

I want to use a HiDPI screen and a "LoDPI" screen together. Why can't I do that on Linux (X11), barring Wayland which seems to crash pretty constantly? How will a Linux laptop help here?