this post was submitted on 21 Aug 2023
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I've noticed in the Linux community whenever someone asks for a recommendation on a laptop that runs Linux the answer is always "Get a Thinkpad" yet Lenovo doesn't seem to be a big Linux contributor or ally. There's also at least six Linux/FOSS-oriented computer manufacturers now:

So what gives? Why the love for a primarily Windows-oriented laptop when there are better alternatives?

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[–] [email protected] 214 points 1 year ago (12 children)

It comes down to price. You can buy used ThinkPads and replacement parts for them quite cheap a lot of the time.

It's been a while since I've looked at devices from places like System 76 but if I recall correctly they are still over a thousand dollars when a used ThinkPad T440P for example can be found for around two hundred dollars.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

T440P is cheap for a reason. Personally I don't want a 6 pound laptop with a decade old CPU and a crappy TN screen. Something like a used T480 is reasonable though I guess

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

I use an early 2010s Thinkpad, with Ubuntu, and I can play Minecraft pretty well on it. It's great. I don't often carry it places, it's a desk laptop, but I don't know of any other affordable laptop that would have such a long useful lifespan. If you know of any, please tell me, but my experiences has made me quite the Lenovo loyalist.

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