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Ask HN: Which small laptop for Ubuntu development work? (mid-2014)

6 points by bshanks 12y ago

I'm looking to buy a small (12" at most, preferably smaller; 8"-10" would be ideal), lightweight laptop or tablet/laptop with available docking station. It must have a not-slow x86 processor and SSD, and at least 8 GB memory. It must work well with Ubuntu; Ubuntu will be used as the primary OS, not via VMWare. Nice-to-haves: Ideally, the fan would be relatively quiet, and it would have a webcam (that works under Ubuntu). A stylus would be cool. Non-requirements: gaming, media, good GPU, screen quality, sound quality, stylish looks. I don't care if it's thin, rather i just want a small length and width. Some systems i have heard of that might (or might not) fit the above criteria are the 11" MacBook Air, the 12" Microsoft Surface Pro 3, the Lenovo Yoga 2. What are the other options? Which is best? Thanks

misframer 12y ago
I currently use a Thinkpad x230 with Ubuntu. It has a 12.5" screen. I've been satisfied with it. I'm not sure about the current version (x240 [0]), though. They also have a tablet version. http://shop.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops/thinkpad/x-series/x240/ http://shop.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops/thinkpad/x-series/x240/
- bshanks 12y ago
  Thanks -- it looks like a decent computer.
  - bshanks 12y ago
    (I do worry about the size though; my current computer is a 10.1" Fujitsu Lifebook T580 and i really appreciate its small dimensions -- as noted in the post, what i'd really like is something between 8" and 10", but i might go up to 12" if i have to)
mattkrea 12y ago
I strongly recommend an Acer C720. The conversion is mostly painless and the portability is incredible. Aslo, once it's set up I've had to do nothing. At least consider it. For someone who works at the office on a MacBook Pro retina with 16 gb of ram the 2gb isn't a cause for concern either though you will notice it while compiling anything.
- bshanks 12y ago
  Thank you, unfortunately the 8GB is a requirement as i sometimes work with some large datasets in Numpy.
UnoriginalGuy 12y ago
The Yoga 2 and Yoga Pro are very good, cost effective, but a little bit heavier than the MS Surface Pro 3. The thing with the Surface Pro 3 is that it isn't a "laptop" it is a tablet with a keyboard, I like the keyboard for what it is, but I would never code full time on it (or use it as my only PC). The MBA is wonderful, really just wonderful, I have nothing but good things to say about it as a small light laptop. It is a little expensive but the touchpad is darn good and the keyboard is also a pleasure. I'd strongly suggest you head down to Best Buy. They have the Yoga 2, Surface Pro 3, AND MBA. So all three of your core options. Get a feel for the weight and the trade-offs. PS - I own a Surface Pro 3, it is good, but it is ultimately a tablet that can run x86-64 applications, and even with the kickstand it isn't as usable as a "real" laptop. Plus the dock is super expensive in its own right. PPS - Given your list and your requirements I suspect you'll get the MBA. It is the "boring" option but something can be said for just getting something which will simply work and is popular enough so you'll get good driver support on Ubuntu.
- bshanks 12y ago
  i haven't tried the Yoga yet but i will soon. It sounds like you've had a great experience with the MBA, though, thank you, that helps.
AlexeyBrin 12y ago
I wouldn't try Ubuntu on the Surface 3 Pro. I'm pretty sure you will have problems with the keyboard ... like these guys here: http://www.geek.com/microsoft/linux-users-rejoice-heres-ubuntu-on-the-surface-pro-3-1594864/ http://www.geek.com/microsoft/linux-users-rejoice-heres-ubun... Don't get me wrong, I like the specs of Surface 3 Pro, I just don't think it will work so great with Ubuntu. What you should do is to do some research about how Ubuntu runs on the hardware other people suggests. Personally I would go with a Dell XPS 13" that already comes with Ubuntu 12.04 installed. The system will probably work well with Ubuntu 14.04 too. Also it has 8GB or RAM and 256 GB SSD. http://www.dell.com/us/business/p/xps-13-linux/pd http://www.dell.com/us/business/p/xps-13-linux/pd
- bshanks 12y ago
  Thank you, yes, I'm aware of the keyboard problems with the the SP3, but i'm confident they'll be fixed soon and in fact some people have claimed to have fixed it already on their systems eg http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2231207&page=2 http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2231207&page=2 . However i do agree that that is likely a sign that there will be other annoying problems. The Dell XPS 13" looks great, but i'd really like a smaller computer. I currently have a 10.1" Fujitsu Lifebook T580 and i really appreciate its small dimensions. 12" is already a big stretch for me, and i'm not willing to go any larger, especially since most of the time the computer will be plugged into my external monitor and keyboard anyways.
  - AlexeyBrin 12y ago
    Probably a MacBook Air 11" is the best choice for you. Be sure to check online if other people had problems installing Ubuntu on the Air. http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=article&item=ubuntu_1404_mba2013gl&num=1 http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=article&item=ubuntu_14...
motyar 12y ago
Give DellMini9 a try.

6 points by bshanks 12y ago

misframer 12y ago

I currently use a Thinkpad x230 with Ubuntu. It has a 12.5" screen. I've been satisfied with it. I'm not sure about the current version (x240 [0]), though. They also have a tablet version. http://shop.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops/thinkpad/x-series/x240/ http://shop.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops/thinkpad/x-series/x240/

bshanks 12y ago
Thanks -- it looks like a decent computer.
- bshanks 12y ago
  (I do worry about the size though; my current computer is a 10.1" Fujitsu Lifebook T580 and i really appreciate its small dimensions -- as noted in the post, what i'd really like is something between 8" and 10", but i might go up to 12" if i have to)

mattkrea 12y ago

I strongly recommend an Acer C720. The conversion is mostly painless and the portability is incredible. Aslo, once it's set up I've had to do nothing. At least consider it. For someone who works at the office on a MacBook Pro retina with 16 gb of ram the 2gb isn't a cause for concern either though you will notice it while compiling anything.

bshanks 12y ago
Thank you, unfortunately the 8GB is a requirement as i sometimes work with some large datasets in Numpy.

UnoriginalGuy 12y ago

The Yoga 2 and Yoga Pro are very good, cost effective, but a little bit heavier than the MS Surface Pro 3. The thing with the Surface Pro 3 is that it isn't a "laptop" it is a tablet with a keyboard, I like the keyboard for what it is, but I would never code full time on it (or use it as my only PC). The MBA is wonderful, really just wonderful, I have nothing but good things to say about it as a small light laptop. It is a little expensive but the touchpad is darn good and the keyboard is also a pleasure. I'd strongly suggest you head down to Best Buy. They have the Yoga 2, Surface Pro 3, AND MBA. So all three of your core options. Get a feel for the weight and the trade-offs. PS - I own a Surface Pro 3, it is good, but it is ultimately a tablet that can run x86-64 applications, and even with the kickstand it isn't as usable as a "real" laptop. Plus the dock is super expensive in its own right. PPS - Given your list and your requirements I suspect you'll get the MBA. It is the "boring" option but something can be said for just getting something which will simply work and is popular enough so you'll get good driver support on Ubuntu.

bshanks 12y ago
i haven't tried the Yoga yet but i will soon. It sounds like you've had a great experience with the MBA, though, thank you, that helps.

AlexeyBrin 12y ago

I wouldn't try Ubuntu on the Surface 3 Pro. I'm pretty sure you will have problems with the keyboard ... like these guys here: http://www.geek.com/microsoft/linux-users-rejoice-heres-ubuntu-on-the-surface-pro-3-1594864/ http://www.geek.com/microsoft/linux-users-rejoice-heres-ubun... Don't get me wrong, I like the specs of Surface 3 Pro, I just don't think it will work so great with Ubuntu. What you should do is to do some research about how Ubuntu runs on the hardware other people suggests. Personally I would go with a Dell XPS 13" that already comes with Ubuntu 12.04 installed. The system will probably work well with Ubuntu 14.04 too. Also it has 8GB or RAM and 256 GB SSD. http://www.dell.com/us/business/p/xps-13-linux/pd http://www.dell.com/us/business/p/xps-13-linux/pd

bshanks 12y ago
Thank you, yes, I'm aware of the keyboard problems with the the SP3, but i'm confident they'll be fixed soon and in fact some people have claimed to have fixed it already on their systems eg http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2231207&page=2 http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2231207&page=2 . However i do agree that that is likely a sign that there will be other annoying problems. The Dell XPS 13" looks great, but i'd really like a smaller computer. I currently have a 10.1" Fujitsu Lifebook T580 and i really appreciate its small dimensions. 12" is already a big stretch for me, and i'm not willing to go any larger, especially since most of the time the computer will be plugged into my external monitor and keyboard anyways.
- AlexeyBrin 12y ago
  Probably a MacBook Air 11" is the best choice for you. Be sure to check online if other people had problems installing Ubuntu on the Air. http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=article&item=ubuntu_1404_mba2013gl&num=1 http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=article&item=ubuntu_14...

motyar 12y ago

Give DellMini9 a try.