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Experience with laptops (infosec.pub)
submitted 4 months ago by dotslashme@infosec.pub to c/linuxhardware@programming.dev
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Hello folks, I am currently in the market for a new laptop and I want to hear from people who have hand-on experience with Linux laptops. I am currently looking at framework and tuxedo laptops, but I know very little about these companies and have a hard time finding anyone who have actually used one of their laptops.

I would appreciate getting in touch with anyone having direct hand-on experience with products from these companies (or another company that you feel should be considered) and let me know what you think of their products and the company itself.

I am interested in companies that support the right to repair and offer good warranties for their products and I need a laptop with modern hardware and a low weight.

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[-] Fillicia@sh.itjust.works 10 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

I still have my first gen (first batch) framework laptop that I abuse daily. Had to replace the CPU fan on it but that's about it and it was really easy.

I've always had Fedora or a derivative installed without issue other than the standard 1st gen stuff like battery life. Overall really great experience.

Now one thing I'll say and it might apply for other brands as well, it's really picky in term of docking station. If you intend to use one search the community forum first.

[-] white_nrdy@programming.dev 3 points 4 months ago

Also have a first gen FW. Batch 3 myself (September 2021). I've had arch running on it for years. Only gripe is battery, but that's a pretty standard gripe.

[-] Fillicia@sh.itjust.works 1 points 4 months ago

The battery is pretty much the only reason I'm looking into upgrading to the latest board. To be honest the fact this is a possibility even on first gen is pretty dope.

[-] dotslashme@infosec.pub 2 points 4 months ago

Are the batteries not changeable? Maybe I'm missing something, but it sounds like the batteries are hardwired to the motherboard.

[-] Fillicia@sh.itjust.works 3 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

No no the battery is replaceable. Some battery issues were fix on later gen (e.g. draining while in sleep if an HDMI module is connected). So replacing the main board effectively upgrades you to the latest specs.

[-] dotslashme@infosec.pub 1 points 4 months ago

Ah I see, thanks for the clarification.

[-] koalaSunrise@programming.dev 3 points 4 months ago

Seconding fedora/derivatives. NobaraOS has alot of "gaming"/manufacturer laptop specific fixes OOTB which makes it a very smooth experience on laptops in my experience on both an Asus zenbook and a t480s in my experience.

[-] something_random_tho@lemmy.world 6 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

Tuxedo laptops are rebranded Clevo, and Clevo laptops are trash. I had a System76 (also Clevo) which broke in a few months, and it felt super cheap the whole time.

Framework is in a different league.

[-] fnafdesktopfan111 8 points 4 months ago

Preach brother.

Companies like Tuxedo Computers and System76 try to pass themselves off as hardware companies, but I think it's fair to say that they actually have more in common with software companies, in that their work is mainly to do with software and clever marketing and very little in, say, designing the board that goes into the machines they sell. Not to say they don't touch hardware at all and are just playing the slimy middle man; they obviously put in some work but definitely not to the extent implied by the marketing.

One of the most telling sign that Tuxedo Computers isn't what it seems on the surface is that their laptops sometimes will have weird non-Linux-compatible hardware despite claiming to be a "made for linux" hardware vendor. Take for example, the Sirius 16. At first glance, it's a system that seems almost perfect for Linux: Amd CPU and GPU so no need to wrestle Nvidia drivers. Great, right? But then you look at the fingerprint scanner and, hang on, it's "Windows only". Why is that a thing on a "designed for Linux" laptop? It's because Tuxedo didn't design this thing. Some other company did. And they sure as hell didn't design it with Linux users in mind. If they did, they would probably have used a fingerprint scanner that's compatible or dropped that feature it all together to make the product more affordable (it's a gaming laptop; how much do you need biometrics?). The fact of the matter is that barebones laptop manufacturers (Clevo, Tongfang, etc.) design for the average market, OS-wise. In other words, they design for Windows. These machines can run Linux, just as HP and Dell and Lenovo and Acer machines can run Linux, but there's no guarantee that they will run Linux flawlessly.

Oh yeah, and their manuals are very sad, if not pathetic. Dell, the soulless beast of a company that it is, still pumps out detailed service manuals for all of its laptops. Lenovo manages much the same. So does HP.

So, yeah, maybe people should take this into consideration before buying from a Clevo reseller like Tuxedo or System76.

[-] dotslashme@infosec.pub 2 points 4 months ago

Very good info, thanks!

[-] faultypidgeon@programming.dev 4 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

A friend of mine has had a Tuxedo laptop for about 6 years now. Afaik she is rather happy with it, but personally I don't like it. The fan is extremely loud, the build quality feels rather flimsy and a small 1 foot drop broke the plastic covers at the hinges. But then again, this device is like 6 years old, maybe they are better now.

[-] heleos@lemm.ee 3 points 4 months ago

I have a framework 16 and it's been great so far. I've had tumbleweed, nixos, and now Gentoo on it, and haven't had any issue. It's pricey, it's modular nature means it can be a little rough around the edges (the panels on the left and right of the touchpad aren't flush with the case), but I really like their goal and approach.

[-] dotslashme@infosec.pub 4 points 4 months ago

The modularity is one of the reasons I started looking at Framework. Their warranty suck (compared to most EU warranties), but modularity would ease my anxiety if something breaks. Had a purism before and when that one broke, it was not much to be done.

[-] Ephera@lemmy.ml 3 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

I bought this model earlier this year: https://www.tuxedocomputers.com/en/TUXEDO-Pulse-14-Gen4
I was on this model beforehand, since 2018: https://www.tuxedocomputers.com/en/Linux-Hardware/Linux-Notebooks/15-16-inch/TUXEDO-Book-BC1510.tuxedo

And yeah, I do like what they offer. Mainly, it's just sane laptops:

  • matte screens
  • backlit, solid keyboards (not Thinkpad quality, but quite good)
  • no weird or annoying keyboard layouts
  • hardware specs are balanced
  • rather few gimmicks in general
  • reasonable connectivity options
  • decent build quality

Be aware, though, that they offer software, in some cases even drivers, and they primarily support installing these on Debian-based distros.
I'm using openSUSE and on my previous laptop, I did have to compile their keyboard driver myself to get the keyboard backlight to work.
On this new model, everything works out of the box, but I still don't get to use their software for controlling power profiles and such. I don't actually know what precisely I'm missing out on, but I believe most of it is available via the BIOS, so could be worse.
But yeah, if you're happy with their distro, you'll have a better experience. If you're not, probably do some research what other folks are saying.

I haven't had a need for support yet, which I guess, speaks for the build quality.
I mean, my old laptop did have some plastic bits broken out of its air vents, and the glue on its rubber feet also gave up, but I haven't yet owned a laptop where the glue didn't give up at some point, nor did I treat it terribly carefully.

I did have contact with their support once, because I chose to get a custom Super-key, and from that, they did seem quite competent.
From what I've heard from others, they were quite happy with the support, too. In particular, you get to talk to humans, who know things about Linux and computers, which is miles better than the offerings of mainstream laptop sellers.

[-] bokherif@lemmy.world 1 points 4 months ago

Thinkpad it is

[-] TrumpetX@programming.dev 1 points 4 months ago

We have Lenovo Thinkpads (P16) at work, works great. They're a little heavy, but the battery life is excellent.

[-] FizzyOrange@programming.dev 1 points 4 months ago

Define excellent...

[-] TrumpetX@programming.dev 1 points 4 months ago

I get on in the morning and forget that I haven't plugged in sometime in the afternoon when I finally figure out why it went to sleep at lunchtime.

I don't know what the rated battery life is.

this post was submitted on 17 Aug 2024
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