3 ms·

Hell yes!!!! Consider System76, one of the few Linux-focused vendors. Their tech support is great. Not sure the scale is a match for them, 1,000 is a lot of lap

Hell yes!!!! Consider System76, one of the few Linux-focused vendors. Their tech support is great. Not sure the scale is a match for them, 1,000 is a lot of laptops. But Linux is a side project for Dell and Lenovo. They put up with it but don't really support it. Support a vendor who is all in on Linux.

ubermonkey 5y ago
How's fit and finish on those? Build quality is a big deal. I feel like the midline for PC makers is pretty low -- Dell has mostly been kinda trashy, though the XPS machines have a good feel to them (it's a shame they've been kind of lemony for us). Absent the keyboard kerfluffle, Apple's build quality has traditionally been very high -- IME, on par with the IBM-era ThinkPads in the sense that the hardware lasts longer than technical viability. How is S76 here?
- mrtranscendence 5y ago
  I've not used a System76 laptop, but I had a coworker who used them for a long while. He never had particularly kind things to say about the polish. I'm overall not too impressed by what I see on their website; I really want a higher-res display at least. The coworker did eventually move to a Mac, but has recently expressed dissatisfaction and may move back to Linux. Not sure if that'll be with a System76 machine, though.
  - ubermonkey 5y ago
    Did s/he say what was annoying about the Mac to them? (I'm not trying to argue. I'm always curious.)
- istingray 5y ago
  Lemur Pro: Fit and finish is a A- for PCs (B compared to a Mac) Solid build, no super weird stuff on the Lemur Pro. The silkscreen for one of the USB ports says 3.1 but it's 3.2. The webcam has a little lip. Trackpad is pretty clickey (ive been used to apple synthetic click)
infogulch 5y ago
Maybe consider the Framework laptop which has made the rounds here a couple times recently. They made good hardware choices for a productivity laptop (3:2 screen, good keyboard), is easily reconfigurable with USB4 modules for a custom array of ports, is designed to be easily upgraded and repaired, and is sold for a fair price. There's an argument to be made that a device designed for upgradability and repairability can reduce TCO. Mine is shipping this month. https://frame.work/ https://frame.work/

ubermonkey 5y ago

How's fit and finish on those? Build quality is a big deal. I feel like the midline for PC makers is pretty low -- Dell has mostly been kinda trashy, though the XPS machines have a good feel to them (it's a shame they've been kind of lemony for us). Absent the keyboard kerfluffle, Apple's build quality has traditionally been very high -- IME, on par with the IBM-era ThinkPads in the sense that the hardware lasts longer than technical viability. How is S76 here?

mrtranscendence 5y ago
I've not used a System76 laptop, but I had a coworker who used them for a long while. He never had particularly kind things to say about the polish. I'm overall not too impressed by what I see on their website; I really want a higher-res display at least. The coworker did eventually move to a Mac, but has recently expressed dissatisfaction and may move back to Linux. Not sure if that'll be with a System76 machine, though.
- ubermonkey 5y ago
  Did s/he say what was annoying about the Mac to them? (I'm not trying to argue. I'm always curious.)
istingray 5y ago
Lemur Pro: Fit and finish is a A- for PCs (B compared to a Mac) Solid build, no super weird stuff on the Lemur Pro. The silkscreen for one of the USB ports says 3.1 but it's 3.2. The webcam has a little lip. Trackpad is pretty clickey (ive been used to apple synthetic click)

infogulch 5y ago

Maybe consider the Framework laptop which has made the rounds here a couple times recently. They made good hardware choices for a productivity laptop (3:2 screen, good keyboard), is easily reconfigurable with USB4 modules for a custom array of ports, is designed to be easily upgraded and repaired, and is sold for a fair price. There's an argument to be made that a device designed for upgradability and repairability can reduce TCO. Mine is shipping this month. https://frame.work/ https://frame.work/