this post was submitted on 27 May 2024
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Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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I'm currently learning how to code (currently Python, then maybe JavaScript), but I'm not always around my desktop, and learning on my phone is not always an option (also, it can be quite cumbersome at times). Therefore, I'm looking into purchasing a laptop just for learning how to code and stuff.

I don't want to get a Chromebook because I want to be able to wipe the drive and install Linux on it (probably Linux Mint). Maybe it's changed since 2013, but the last time I had a Chromebook, it was a pain in the ass to install even bog-standard Ubuntu on it.

Problem is, I'm also heavily limited by space & budget: no more than 11 in (280 mm) total laptop width and 330 USD base price.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Please forgive me if this is not the right space for this kind of question. Lemme know if it is and I'll delete it. :)

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[–] [email protected] 14 points 6 months ago (3 children)

ThinkPad, used. Only mainstream brand that cares about Linux.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 6 months ago

I found a thinkpad with a radeon GPU for only 200 which was nice.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago)

My ASUS laptop runs Linux well. It was around $800 5 years ago, when I bought it.

I am still using it.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago) (2 children)

You sure about that?. Where does this myth come from that Lenovo cares about Linux users?

[–] [email protected] 7 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago) (1 children)

This is exactly the shit that gets me worried about ARM laptops becoming the norm. Obviously, the CPU has ✨full upstream support✨, but what some people seem to forget is that they will likely not support ACPI via Arm System Ready which is exactly how android phones work. (This is the total opposite of what we want btw) So now we will be at the mercy of OEMs releasing blobs or some people will have to spend lots of time creating DTBs for each possible SKU (Snapdragon Elite X's Linux post even mentions booting with Device Trees, but nobody seemed to notice this for some reason?).

Like, sure, mainline support for the SoC is crucial, but most ARM processors have okayish support, even the mobile chips have say GPU support. The thing is the support of the SoC is only part of the equation when you also have a display, a boatload of controllers for charging, IO, display, etc. etc. that also need to be recognized and supported for the computer to be usable.

I have faith that Dell and Lenovo will offer DTBs for their enterprise devices, since they currently officially support Linux, but for all the other ones, Asus, regular XPS, non ThinkPad Lenovo, Microsoft surface, Samsung, Acer etc. I can almost guarantee they will be troublesome.

I desperately hope to be proven wrong when these laptops get into customers hands, but my hopes are really low.

[–] 0x0 3 points 6 months ago

I have faith

I don't, linux is niche for these companies, not worth their time/money.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 6 months ago (1 children)

https://ahoneybun.net/blog/Thinkpad-X13s-review/

If you knew how to disable Microsoft Secure feature, maybe you could be competent enough to load Linux on it. But you will now run around calling Lenovo bad for Linux and all that, spreading the myth someone invented like a disease, even though you are the one considering these ARM devices over a proper x86 machine with freedom. Maybe avoid ARM machines for a while, and avoid MS Secure Boot crap?

[–] [email protected] -1 points 6 months ago (1 children)

You're the one that made the claim that they're the "only mainstream brand that cares about Linux". It's up to you to prove it.