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Is there a problem to get any decently built laptop and put Linux on top of it in your own? You can argue that it's better to get laptop with Linux pre installe

Is there a problem to get any decently built laptop and put Linux on top of it in your own? You can argue that it's better to get laptop with Linux pre installed, but I don't 100% agree since Linux means freedom in choosing stuff you need, so it's better to install distributive you like than default Ubuntu. Also don't count much on the customer support when it comes to the Linux laptops, it's common for Linux user to handle possible issues independently. So I don't see a strong reason to get laptop with pre installed Linux limiting yourself in other terms, such as accepting worse hardware and build quality (since there are not a lot of Linux based laptops on the market, and so you won't have many choices, so don't even compare for example system76 vs hp x360) and limiting yourself by Ubuntu distributive.

ProAm 10y ago
If you want to buy a laptop that almost certain to work out of the gates yes the OPs question is perfectly valid. Can you take anylap top and get it to work? Of course, its just a matter of how much time you want to invest, vs investing that time in actually developing. Both is time spent well, however only 1 will make you money.
- vladimir-y 10y ago
  It's one time setup, I believe it's better to not limit youself in laptop choices for developers since it's your main tool, a tool that makes money for you. I'm for example would not be comfortable working on daily basis using heavy/creaky/noisy laptop which has a bad keyboard, bad screen, etc.
- sirspudd 10y ago
  Unfortunately it still feels cheaper to purchase a Windows laptop, and simply scrape Windows off its boot. I object to being gouged for opting to run a certain system. The amount of invested time required to get modern Linux up on a non-psychotic (psycho like the Yoga 910) is a solid investment to the required baseline of competence required to be a Linux dev.
- grogenaut 10y ago
  Once upon a time dell would let you return the OEM CD if you weren't going to use windows. I wonder if they still do that. They could invalidate the OEM key to windows, not sure if microsoft would care to implement that and give dell the money back.

ProAm 10y ago

If you want to buy a laptop that almost certain to work out of the gates yes the OPs question is perfectly valid. Can you take anylap top and get it to work? Of course, its just a matter of how much time you want to invest, vs investing that time in actually developing. Both is time spent well, however only 1 will make you money.

vladimir-y 10y ago
It's one time setup, I believe it's better to not limit youself in laptop choices for developers since it's your main tool, a tool that makes money for you. I'm for example would not be comfortable working on daily basis using heavy/creaky/noisy laptop which has a bad keyboard, bad screen, etc.
sirspudd 10y ago
Unfortunately it still feels cheaper to purchase a Windows laptop, and simply scrape Windows off its boot. I object to being gouged for opting to run a certain system. The amount of invested time required to get modern Linux up on a non-psychotic (psycho like the Yoga 910) is a solid investment to the required baseline of competence required to be a Linux dev.
grogenaut 10y ago
Once upon a time dell would let you return the OEM CD if you weren't going to use windows. I wonder if they still do that. They could invalidate the OEM key to windows, not sure if microsoft would care to implement that and give dell the money back.