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I've been looking to "upgrade" my OSX laptop to Linux and on a whole have been disappointed by the hardware build quality on the Linux machines. What I really

by throwaway2016a 9y ago

I've been looking to "upgrade" my OSX laptop to Linux and on a whole have been disappointed by the hardware build quality on the Linux machines. What I really want is a thin and light unibody aluminum frame and high density screen on a Linux machine. But since I can't find that, OS X is a nice substitute. Edit: Thank you for the suggestions everyone.

sepharoth213 9y ago
Clevo N130BU
batisteo 9y ago
I've got an Asus UX305C for 1,5 years now, very nice machine.
- Abundnce10 9y ago
  I'm assuming it didn't come with Linux installed. Which version of Linux are you running? And do any features of the laptop not working with the Linux OS?
  - CoolGuySteve 9y ago
    I have one with ubuntu 16.04. The only thing that didn't work was the volume up/down keys due to some weirdness in the Asus BIOS. I changed it to be shift + Fkeys instead of fn+FKeys in the keyboard settings. Other than that, because the Intel chipset has pretty good open source support, it's an excellent laptop.
- blfr 9y ago
  Yes, it sounds like GP is looking for a ZenBook, UX410UA for example. https://www.asus.com/Laptops/ASUS-ZenBook-UX410UA/ https://www.asus.com/Laptops/ASUS-ZenBook-UX410UA/
- jhx 9y ago
  Ive also been using a UX305C for a bout 2 years now also, Its a great cheap fanless macbook air clone. Been running Ubuntu Mate and out side some issues with the function keys, its worked 100%. Its pretty great for a fanless laptop thats sub $600. Its too bad you can't buy the latest model(UX330CA) right now outside of ebay. Its only available in Canada for some reason
wooptoo 9y ago
There are a few machines with a good build quality to run Linux on: Dell Inspiron 7000 series and Dell XPS series come to mind Maybe the upcoming Xiaomi Mi laptop too.
- H1Supreme 9y ago
  I'm eyeing the Xiaomi Pro laptop hard as my next machine. If it's a smooth Linux install, I could see lots of developers picking one up.
- aembleton 9y ago
  I have the Xiaomi Air and am very happy with it. The build quality is not as good as the mac, the lid does flex but I can still open it with one hand. The price, though was amazing - £350.
khedoros1 9y ago
If you like Apple's hardware but want a different OS, what's stopping you from putting Linux on your Apple laptop?
- gambiting 9y ago
  Exactly - my mum loves the Apple design but needs to use Windows-only software, so she has a macbook that runs Windows 10. I don't see any problem with doing that.
markshead 9y ago
You might check out Dell's Project Sputnik on the XPS. They are similar in weight to an Apple Air, made of aluminum and come with Linux installed and working with all the hardware. http://www.dell.com/developers http://www.dell.com/developers
- antongribok 9y ago
  Writing this on a Dell XPS 13 DE. Reinstalled it with Fedora and everything works without any configuration or tweaks needed. With 4.12 kernel and TLP the battery life has been amazing (I can get about 24 hours at idle with screen on - about 2.55 Watts) Also...powerful enough to drive dual 4K monitors if needed.
jcelerier 9y ago
IMHO one of the best machines to run linux is macbook pros. The hardware just works.

sepharoth213 9y ago

Clevo N130BU

batisteo 9y ago

I've got an Asus UX305C for 1,5 years now, very nice machine.

Abundnce10 9y ago
I'm assuming it didn't come with Linux installed. Which version of Linux are you running? And do any features of the laptop not working with the Linux OS?
- CoolGuySteve 9y ago
  I have one with ubuntu 16.04. The only thing that didn't work was the volume up/down keys due to some weirdness in the Asus BIOS. I changed it to be shift + Fkeys instead of fn+FKeys in the keyboard settings. Other than that, because the Intel chipset has pretty good open source support, it's an excellent laptop.
blfr 9y ago
Yes, it sounds like GP is looking for a ZenBook, UX410UA for example. https://www.asus.com/Laptops/ASUS-ZenBook-UX410UA/ https://www.asus.com/Laptops/ASUS-ZenBook-UX410UA/
jhx 9y ago
Ive also been using a UX305C for a bout 2 years now also, Its a great cheap fanless macbook air clone. Been running Ubuntu Mate and out side some issues with the function keys, its worked 100%. Its pretty great for a fanless laptop thats sub $600. Its too bad you can't buy the latest model(UX330CA) right now outside of ebay. Its only available in Canada for some reason

wooptoo 9y ago

There are a few machines with a good build quality to run Linux on: Dell Inspiron 7000 series and Dell XPS series come to mind Maybe the upcoming Xiaomi Mi laptop too.

H1Supreme 9y ago
I'm eyeing the Xiaomi Pro laptop hard as my next machine. If it's a smooth Linux install, I could see lots of developers picking one up.
aembleton 9y ago
I have the Xiaomi Air and am very happy with it. The build quality is not as good as the mac, the lid does flex but I can still open it with one hand. The price, though was amazing - £350.

khedoros1 9y ago

If you like Apple's hardware but want a different OS, what's stopping you from putting Linux on your Apple laptop?

gambiting 9y ago
Exactly - my mum loves the Apple design but needs to use Windows-only software, so she has a macbook that runs Windows 10. I don't see any problem with doing that.

markshead 9y ago

You might check out Dell's Project Sputnik on the XPS. They are similar in weight to an Apple Air, made of aluminum and come with Linux installed and working with all the hardware. http://www.dell.com/developers http://www.dell.com/developers

antongribok 9y ago
Writing this on a Dell XPS 13 DE. Reinstalled it with Fedora and everything works without any configuration or tweaks needed. With 4.12 kernel and TLP the battery life has been amazing (I can get about 24 hours at idle with screen on - about 2.55 Watts) Also...powerful enough to drive dual 4K monitors if needed.

jcelerier 9y ago

IMHO one of the best machines to run linux is macbook pros. The hardware just works.