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Are there any non-Apple ARM laptops that can reliably run "normal" Linux distros (e.g. Fedora, Alpine, Debian derivatives)? Currently the only options on my rad
by Seirdy 5y ago
Are there any non-Apple ARM laptops that can reliably run "normal" Linux distros (e.g. Fedora, Alpine, Debian derivatives)? Currently the only options on my radar are the Pinebook (and Pinebook Pro) and MNT Reform.
- mbreese 5y agoAFAICT, The Pinebook Pro can run "normal" distros. Fedora and Manjaro are supported directly, and Armbian has Ubuntu images. It also looks like Arch is somewhat supported. Now, reliably on the other hand... that's another story. I still have hardware issues surrounding booting, but getting an OS installed isn't an issue anymore.
- dangus 5y agoIt doesn’t really matter the processor architecture, Apple has never been a good choice for Linux. Sure you can get it to work sometimes but it’s just not ideal.
- pjmlp 5y agoIt was when they shortly played with MkLinux project.
- fulafel 5y agoThere have been some Macbook models that have been very good Linux laptops for their time (if you don't mind the price and kb layout).
- goosedragons 5y agoAnd there's been some models that are pretty much nightmares (basically 2016-2020) even years later. I think their point stands. Some have been okay and others near useless.
- fulafel 5y agoTo clarify, I meant to make a point against the "has never been a good choice" claim. I agree the relative rarity of good Linux Mac models is not ideal, hopefully the current Arm model Linux activity will bring improvement.
- fulafel 5y agoFor Feodra eg https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Architectures/ARM/Fedora_Linux_35 https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Architectures/ARM/Fedora_Linu... - seems it's mostly Pinebook and Pi 400 there.
- izacus 5y agoHmm, I guess Chromebooks with their Debian containers don't count here?