Hello everyone,
I currently use Linux as my personal operating system and really enjoy it. I’m now looking for a reliable laptop for my business.
I’ll mainly use it for office work, software development, and programming in C++ and Python. I use Debian, so good Linux compatibility is important. Durability and repairability are also high priorities, since I plan to use it as my primary work laptop every day.
Could you recommend any laptops that would be a good fit?
Framework and System76 aren’t options for me because I’m located in Costa Rica, where they aren’t readily available.
Thank you!
Las Lenovo Thinkpad son lo mas recomendado con razón, pero suelen ser bastantes caras aquí en Latinoamerica. Una buena opción más económica son las Lenovo Thinkbook, tengo una con Debían instalado y funciona todo.
Son carísimas, pero si he encontrado varias T14 gen 5 o gen 6 (usadas) a un precio razonable. He visto que también algunas Dell son buena opción. Gracias por comentar.
Have you checked out Framework? They build laptops aiming to be as repairable as desktop PCs and have become a favorite of linux users (myself included)
EDIT: apologies for not seeing the Framework note at the end of the OP (thanks for pointing that out @digdilem@lemmy.ml)
We use framework, and they are very good and I like them a lot. (Noting OP explicitly excludes them though)
But I wouldn’t say they’re particularly durable. The chassis has some flex in it and we’ve had two screens fail out of 30 without being particularly abused.
But of course, parts are available and repairs are very easy, so there’s that.
Yeah the bottom housing of my Framework 12 laptop developed spiderweb cracks in it after only 3 months. I’m the most careful person I know with my electronics, so it’s not because I’m abusing it or anything.
Framework is dragging their feet on a warranty claim too, which is frustrating since a new bottom housing replacement is only like $60. I really love the concept of Framework, but so far I’m not impressed with their durability or support.
The old Dell XPS laptop that I had before this is 13 years old and still in great condition despite being too slow for my work needs now.
Older T ThinkPads
Don’t sleep on Dell Latitudes.
Dell’s Linux support has carried my ~10 year old XPS through a lot of changes and updates. It still runs almost brand new. Not much to complain about.
This comment made me realize my XPS is 11 now.
Hard to believe isn’t it? If you’re not ray tracing your spreadsheets you don’t need to update that often. :-P
This. I got a dell latitude 5450 for $400 with a core ultra 7, 16gb ram and a 256gb ssd. There are 2 upgradeable ram slots, and its awesome. Really fast.
I’ve been fond of the HP Elitebook series; not the strongest powered of things but fairly easy to replace things like the battery, fan, or keyboard (in one of the worst streaks I’ve ever had in owning a computer – I literally cannot think of having done anything like it, before –, I managed to get a sufficient amount of liquid into the keyboard 3 times in the span of, like, 2–3 months; random keys went dead within days of each spill. So I ended up replacing the keyboard three time and that was pretty much all I needed to do. Kept chugging, after each time and entirely usable, still (now that the keyboard’s replaced)).
If you’re fine with buying an older generation, you can easily grab a used one for no more than $200.
Lenovo ThinkPads are quite compatible.
They are also easy to get into, just undo some screws and you’re in. Just make sure the insides have expandability in case you want to plug in another SSD or more RAM (in this economy?! 😉).
I been selling used dell latitude 3520s. They’re less durable than the old style thinkpad but about on par with the new style ones. They’re just as repairable. Manuals and parts available online.
