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I switched to Ubuntu recently on a Thinkpad Z16 and had some compatibility and battery life issues. I think Linux is great for more mainstream models that have

I switched to Ubuntu recently on a Thinkpad Z16 and had some compatibility and battery life issues. I think Linux is great for more mainstream models that have already been out for a few years, but unfortunately I can't recommend if you're buying a new or more niche machine. It's really a shame, as I absolutely don't like the direction either Microsoft or Apple is going. I keep ending up back at MBP due to overall polish/hardware quality, but I prefer linux to MacOS. I hope Asahi Linux can get fully up-to-date with latest models and resolve the various QoL issues

tombert 2y ago
Cannot speak for all Thinkpads, in my case it was the Thinkpad P16s Gen 2 AMD (rolls right off the tongue). It was pretty painless to get everything set up for me.
alecsm 2y ago
Then buy laptops made with linux in mind like Slimbook or Tuxedo. Slimbook Execute, Slimbook Excalibur, Tuxedo Infinity and Tuxedo Pulse are amazing machines.
- thewebguyd 2y ago
  They're still held back by the chips. RaptorLake gets close (and beats) the M3 in performance in some areas, but not in heat or fan noise. No doubt they are all great machines, but after using an air for the last few years I can't use anything else that's not as cool or as quiet. I'm holding out for Asahi Linux, or some better (and Linux supported) snapdragon elite offerings. The new surface laptop 7 is pretty close hardware wise (except the keyboard) but it can't run Linux, sadly.
  - alecsm 2y ago
    I think Slimbook is releasing a Snapdragon laptop next year. I'm not a big fan of ARM in the desktop but I'm genuinely curious about it.
  - Wytwwww 2y ago
    Raptor Lake is pretty ancient, though. Wasn't it basically the same as Alder Lake? Lunar Lake is supposedly pretty close to the Snapdragon. A bit slower but no need to bother with ARM and a much better GPU (if that matters).
thewebguyd 2y ago
This is where I'm at. I generally prefer Linux but I don't necessarily hate macOS, I've gotten by with a few annoyances. It's really the hardware holding me back, still. I'm also watching Asahi closely. Any other laptop I've tried makes a compromise somewhere that I don't want - bad screen, track pad sucks, hit and miss keyboards. Plus heat and fan noise. I just want a MacBook Air, but Linux. The new snapdragon surface laptop 7 is close (except the keyboard) but it doesn't run Linux and I've given up on Windows a long time ago.

tombert 2y ago

Cannot speak for all Thinkpads, in my case it was the Thinkpad P16s Gen 2 AMD (rolls right off the tongue). It was pretty painless to get everything set up for me.

alecsm 2y ago

Then buy laptops made with linux in mind like Slimbook or Tuxedo. Slimbook Execute, Slimbook Excalibur, Tuxedo Infinity and Tuxedo Pulse are amazing machines.

thewebguyd 2y ago
They're still held back by the chips. RaptorLake gets close (and beats) the M3 in performance in some areas, but not in heat or fan noise. No doubt they are all great machines, but after using an air for the last few years I can't use anything else that's not as cool or as quiet. I'm holding out for Asahi Linux, or some better (and Linux supported) snapdragon elite offerings. The new surface laptop 7 is pretty close hardware wise (except the keyboard) but it can't run Linux, sadly.
- alecsm 2y ago
  I think Slimbook is releasing a Snapdragon laptop next year. I'm not a big fan of ARM in the desktop but I'm genuinely curious about it.
- Wytwwww 2y ago
  Raptor Lake is pretty ancient, though. Wasn't it basically the same as Alder Lake? Lunar Lake is supposedly pretty close to the Snapdragon. A bit slower but no need to bother with ARM and a much better GPU (if that matters).

thewebguyd 2y ago

This is where I'm at. I generally prefer Linux but I don't necessarily hate macOS, I've gotten by with a few annoyances. It's really the hardware holding me back, still. I'm also watching Asahi closely. Any other laptop I've tried makes a compromise somewhere that I don't want - bad screen, track pad sucks, hit and miss keyboards. Plus heat and fan noise. I just want a MacBook Air, but Linux. The new snapdragon surface laptop 7 is close (except the keyboard) but it doesn't run Linux and I've given up on Windows a long time ago.