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I think the only laptops you won't find weird issues with linux are from smaller manufacturers dedicated to shipping them like the kde laptop or system76. Every

by least 2y ago

I think the only laptops you won't find weird issues with linux are from smaller manufacturers dedicated to shipping them like the kde laptop or system76. Every other hardware manufacturer, including those that ship laptops with linux preinstalled, probably have weird hardware incompatibilities because they don't fully customize their SKUs with linux support in mind. Not that I'm discouraging you from switching or anything. If Linux is what you want/need, there's definitely better laptops to be had than a Macbook for that purpose. It's just that weird incompatibilities and having to fight with the operating system on random issues is, at least in my experience, normal when using a linux laptop. Even my T480 which has overall excellent compatibility isn't trouble-free.

dwedge 2y ago
Something like the brightness buttons not working, or sleep being a little erratic is ok. No released wifi drivers, bluetooth issues, and audio and the keyboard not working are not ok. Apple going backwards in terms of supporting Linux is not something I'm ok with.
- least 2y ago
  There are wifi drivers; you just have to install them separately because they use broadcom chips. It's a proprietary blob. The other things do work, but it requires special packages and you'll need an external keyboard while installing. It's a pain to install, for sure, but it's not insurmountably difficult to get it installed. Apple Silicon chips are arguably more compatible with Asahi Linux [1], but that's largely in thanks to the hard work of Marcan, who's stepped down as project lead from the project [2]. Overall I still think the right choice is to find a laptop better suited for the purpose of running linux on it, just something that requires more careful consideration than people think. Framework laptops, which seem well suited since ideologically it meshes well with linux users, can be a pain to set up as well. [1] https://asahilinux.org/ https://asahilinux.org/ [2] https://marcan.st/2025/02/resigning-as-asahi-linux-project-lead/ https://marcan.st/2025/02/resigning-as-asahi-linux-project-l...
  - dwedge 2y ago
    I know there are wifi and keyboard drivers, because the live boots and installers work with them, but then when it comes to installing they're gone. I know it's not insurmountable, and 10 years ago I'd have done it, but I spent a few hours and got sick of it. I agree with you that it's probably better to get another laptop.

by least 2y ago

dwedge 2y ago

Something like the brightness buttons not working, or sleep being a little erratic is ok. No released wifi drivers, bluetooth issues, and audio and the keyboard not working are not ok. Apple going backwards in terms of supporting Linux is not something I'm ok with.

least 2y ago
There are wifi drivers; you just have to install them separately because they use broadcom chips. It's a proprietary blob. The other things do work, but it requires special packages and you'll need an external keyboard while installing. It's a pain to install, for sure, but it's not insurmountably difficult to get it installed. Apple Silicon chips are arguably more compatible with Asahi Linux [1], but that's largely in thanks to the hard work of Marcan, who's stepped down as project lead from the project [2]. Overall I still think the right choice is to find a laptop better suited for the purpose of running linux on it, just something that requires more careful consideration than people think. Framework laptops, which seem well suited since ideologically it meshes well with linux users, can be a pain to set up as well. [1] https://asahilinux.org/ https://asahilinux.org/ [2] https://marcan.st/2025/02/resigning-as-asahi-linux-project-lead/ https://marcan.st/2025/02/resigning-as-asahi-linux-project-l...
- dwedge 2y ago
  I know there are wifi and keyboard drivers, because the live boots and installers work with them, but then when it comes to installing they're gone. I know it's not insurmountable, and 10 years ago I'd have done it, but I spent a few hours and got sick of it. I agree with you that it's probably better to get another laptop.