Looking to upgrade from an old Latitude, curious as to what mobile hardware you folks use for writing your open source projects?

  • hperrin@lemmy.world
    16·
    8 months ago

    I just bought a Framework 13, and I got say, it’s amazing. First of all, everything works out of the box. That’s surprising for a laptop with Linux. Even the Dell I used to own that specifically advertised compatibility with Linux and even came with Ubuntu had a fingerprint reader with no Linux support. Meanwhile, the fingerprint reader on my Framework has worked flawlessly.

    Second, it’s blazing fast. I got the new AMD one, and it’s definitely fast enough to handle everything I’ve thrown at it.

    Third, if something breaks on it, like the screen, replacing the part is incredibly easy. I’ve replaced a couple laptop screens before, and while they’re easier than phone screens, it’s still a PITA. And that’s if you can find a replacement screen.

    And then lastly, eventually I’ll be able to upgrade it. I like that.

    So yeah, if you can afford the price premium, I highly recommend the Framework 13.

  • d3Xt3r@lemmy.nz
    14·
    8 months ago

    I personally use a ThinkPad Z13 (all AMD; it’s nice but pricey), but I’d recommend getting a Framework (which wasn’t an option for me back then). I think modular and repairable laptops are cool, plus they seem to be well supported by the Linux community.

    • Lumilias@pawb.socialEnglish
      81·
      8 months ago

      The only caution I would provide on Framework is their relative lack of BIOS updates: https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2024/04/frameworks-software-and-firmware-have-been-a-mess-but-its-working-on-them/

      They don’t have a BIOS updater for Linux (yet) and they have a history of overpromising stable updates. I get they’re hamstrung by upstream providers, but it’s a bad look on them to basically deliver a promised Thunderbolt update 1.5 years after announcing it. The CEO did say at least that they’ve hired on a new development team to get things moving, so hopefully they’ll be able to catch up.

      Everything else I’ve heard about Framework is stellar.

      • kelvie@lemmy.ca
        5·
        8 months ago

        I updated my AMD framework BIOS using fwupd last weekend with no problem on arch.

        • Lumilias@pawb.socialEnglish
          1·
          8 months ago

          Thanks for the info. I wonder if it’s just the older Intel laptops that need the catchup then.

      • www-gem@lemmy.ml
        3·
        8 months ago

        I’ve been watching on the framework machines for my next one. It looks like fwupd support them for BIOS updates. Framework owners will know more for sure.

      • jet@hackertalks.comEnglish
        2·
        8 months ago

        It’s an open source operating system, that looks for the best level of practical paranoia using virtual machines as a form of isolation between processes

        Because of virtual machine workloads, and the security requirements, it can be quite demanding on hardware, and also open source support. So if a laptop supports qubes it’ll support anything else

              • jet@hackertalks.comEnglish
                7·
                8 months ago

                I admire your level of purity, but your distinction is not helpful in laptop selection.

                I’m not aware of any FOSS operating system that only uses totally open source hardware drivers. even GNU HERD would run proprietary drivers if they actually ever finished.

                For Qubes, I’m not sure how you can have a better approach to isolating binary drivers, then running them in a totally contained virtual machine.

                Which operating system are you referring to without drivers?

                • Telorand@reddthat.com
                  2·
                  8 months ago

                  I’m not super informed about the kernel layer, so forgive me if this is a silly question, but how does that approach compare to atomic distros like Fedora Kinoite, UniversalBlue, or NixOS?

        • Bilb!@lem.monsterEnglish
          3·
          8 months ago

          Framework laptops are undeniably expensive. I say that as a happy owner of both the 13 and the 16. The value is not the appeal. To be honest, I don’t even expect it to “pay for itself due to upgradability and repairability” like many people say.

          More availability of refurbished mainboards should help over time, I guess.

    • aedelred@lemmy.worldEnglish
      3·
      8 months ago

      I’ll second the Framework. I’ve had one since the 1st gen Framework 13 and love it.

    • umbrella@lemmy.ml
      2·
      8 months ago

      what do i need for good qubes support? if i have enough for gpu passthrough can i assume qubes will be good?

  • cosmic_cowboy@reddthat.comEnglish
    6·
    8 months ago

    System76 has some good options. A little overpriced, but your money goes towards an open-source friendly company.

  • some_guy@lemmy.sdf.org
    5·
    8 months ago

    Framework is making machines that I find really interesting. I’m a Mac person, so I don’t have one and can’t speak to the experience.

    • egonallanon@lemm.ee
      5·
      8 months ago

      As an owner of a 13 I really like it. I only use it mostly as a YouTube and email machine while most ofy heavy duty work is on a desktop but it does well enough running popos. They are a bit pricey to buy new thiugh so either get one of the older one used or go the used think pad route for a similarly repairable experience.

      • sunstoned@lemmus.orgEnglish
        5·
        8 months ago

        I use my Framework 13 (Intel 12th gen) for some heavy CPU workloads and it’s been a champ! For the balance of quality, performance, cost, and repairability I really don’t think it can be beat.

      • pingveno@lemmy.mlEnglish
        3·
        8 months ago

        I have one from 2015 that is literally falling apart, but it still works okay. I’m going to be sad when I have to finally give up on it. Unfortunately, it’s not great for repair. I was going to replace the keyboard because some keys are malfunctioning, but it requires basically pulling apart the whole computer including some parts that are taped on.

      • mortalic@lemmy.world
        3·
        8 months ago

        So far I love it. I bought it brand new from Lenovo and you could pick from I think 3 or 4 distros. I picked fedora, which it came with 38. When I first booted up it had a bios update which honestly surprised me that they would bother. Then upgraded to 40 through the fedora upgrade path. All painless.

        I was fully prepared to make a windows live USB just to flash the bios/firmware.

  • monovergent 🏁@lemmy.ml
    5·
    8 months ago

    ThinkPad X230 with 9 cell, 16 GB RAM, total 1TB storage, and an Atheros NIC. A bit limiting at times, but I ‘outsource’ heavier tasks to my much more powerful desktop. I’m quite uncompromising with laptop design and ‘ergonomics’, so I’m trying to piece together a custom laptop based around the Framework mainboard before the X230 no longer meets my demands.

    For testing stuff on Windows and work stuff that requires it, an X1 Carbon Gen 7 with 16GB RAM and 256 GB storage.

  • jokeyrhyme@lemmy.mlEnglish
    5·
    8 months ago

    Without being specific, I’d try to get something with firmware updates available on LVFS: https://fwupd.org/

    And you might want to check for distribution specific notes on that model e.g.

    If Wayland is more important to you than AI/ML/LLMs then you probably don’t want anything with an nVidia GPU

  • scoobford@lemmy.zip
    4·
    8 months ago

    I use a lenovo flip. I love the reversible hinge, but the flip functionality is quite buggy and the build quality is kind of crap.

    I’ve been eyeing a framework 13 for years now, but I don’t want to be wasteful by buying a laptop I do not need yet. They look really well supported and easy to work on.

    System76 has been a classic for a long time, but I’ve never had the money for one go their units.

  • Corroded@leminal.spaceEnglish
    3·
    8 months ago

    ThinkPad x200s. I recently did the USB C charging mod and upgraded to WiFi 6E. I’ve had Libreboot installed for a while now.

    I do wish I could have more than 8GB of RAM though.

  • Captain Beyond@linkage.ds8.zone
    3·
    8 months ago

    I use a NovaCustom laptop. As far as I know these are the highest end laptops that work with a Linux-libre system. I was interested in the Framework 13 (which I think can accommodate a Linux-libre friendly wifi card) but it’s too small for my tastes, however a Framework 16 with an Intel CPU would be ideal if/when it comes out, though.

      • Captain Beyond@linkage.ds8.zone
        1·
        8 months ago

        In my experience Intel graphics have better compatibility with Linux-libre. I’m unsure about Linux-libre on AMD; according to at least one report it requires firmware blobs, which I’d rather avoid.

        (I’m aware that firmware blobs are unavoidable with modern-ish hardware but I’d prefer to avoid as many of them as possible)

  • jollyrogue@lemmy.ml
    3·
    8 months ago

    To run Linux, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, NetBSD, or some other FOSS OS?

    I’m running Fedora on a refurbished Thinkpad P1 Gen 4, and I’ve had good luck running Linux and the BSDs on higher end refurbished Dell Optiplex, Latitude, and Precision equipment.

    Apple hardware is nice, and MacPorts gives me access to the vast majority of my *nix tools.

    Shopping for new hardware I’d look at the list below to get Linux preinstalled.

    • Thinkpad X1 Carbon
    • Slimbook
    • System76
    • Tuxedo Computers
    • Juno Computers
    • Starlabs Systems

    Or buy refurbed equipment from Dell or Lenovo.