I've been using Linux on Dell laptops (various distributions and desktops, Precision / Inspiron) since the late 90s and it's always just sort of worked, had an

I've been using Linux on Dell laptops (various distributions and desktops, Precision / Inspiron) since the late 90s and it's always just sort of worked, had an IBM Thinkpad along the way as well. As another few comments mention, solid vendor firmware really seems to be a key factor and I prefer ATI/AMD gpu chips for their no-nonsense out of the box performance (I'm not a laptop gamer).