Why do people still recommend Thinkpads for Linux when there are Linux-oriented manufacturers now?
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:
They are cheap and durable, and they work with most major Linux distros without much headache.
I have a spec’d out S76 Lemur, which is a great laptop for throwing in a backpack as a daily driver, and really packs a punch with a small footprint.
But I also have a couple ThinkPads that cost less than $100 to replace that I use for doing experiments in the field where a laptop is more likely to get damaged. No need to needlessly drag thousands of extra dollars in kit out into a mountain trail to do radio experiments. For that kind of work, these old systems have more than enough resources, and if I fall in a stream, or get caught in rain, the worst I have to do is replace the system for $80 refurbished on Amazon.
Of course, I’ve never actually had any issues requiring replacement, but ThinkPads are really hard to break. I’m not as convinced about the Lemur’s durability, and would rather take fewer risks with it.
I opted for the Fir model, knowing version 2 would probably be 5–7 years away. My wife joked that we would have a school-age child before I got it… except it’s slowly becoming not a joke (and we didn’t even have kids when I preordered).
100% don’t buy from Purism. I had their laptop. Librem 14? 15? And I gave it away to a friend after about a year. I had so many problems with it.
I had pre-ordered the phone but I asked for a refund just a month or so before everyone started saying they stopped giving refunds.
I have 4 pinephones, while they’re not daily driver ready, they’re awesome little devices and I’ve written a couple things for them. I also have 0 complaints about my system 76 laptop.
Older Thinkpads remain extremely capable and (crucially) highly repairable. The T series in particular is also better built (read: more solid chassis) than many others, including some on this list.
It doesn’t make a lot of sense to support these alternatives given the absolute shock difference in cost. $300 bucks for a used T series gets you a lot from a customizability, repairability, and reliability standpoint.
It doesn’t make a lot of sense to support these alternatives given the absolute shock difference in cost. $300 bucks for a used T series gets you a lot from a customizability, repairability, and reliability standpoint.
bios updates leaves you at the mercy of the manufacturer;
not every bios and distro works w lenovo’s bios update utility;
and your battery life & performance has a big dependency on your bios so using something that it’s not designed to handle (eg anything that’s not windows) will result in less than optimal results. 3.5) same goes for hardware eg nvidia
I’ve had 4-5 such systems running Linux and never experienced any issues with BIOS.
Obviously you shouldn’t get a model using nvidia if you want to run Linux on it (unless you are aware of the extra time it takes to set up and the other pitfalls). I do actually have a T440p with a 730m in it – and it’s fine, I just run the open-source driver.
Because these are small shops that have limited availability outside North America, and are fairly expensive compared to Thinkpads which are widely used by corporations, and can be found pretty cheaply.
Exactly this - none of those vendors will sell to me, but I can get a ThinkPad shipped from any of the major local retailers, or direct from Lenovo themselves. I’d love a Framework, and I’m trying to set it up so I can get one shipped to a friend in the UK who will be visiting next year but I’m sceptical that the timing will work out or that Framework will accept my credit card
My thinkpad model officially supports linux, so there is no problem there. It is also much cheaper than any of those brands, and it’s also available from the regular stores.
At least to my understanding. My model is the T14 Gen 1 (AMD). But I would recommend checking newer models.
A few points that indicates this:
It’s possible to order it with linux preinstalled:
In limited countries or regions, Lenovo offers customers an option to order computers with the preinstalled Linux® operating system. - User Guide, Appendix C
I second price to performance ratio. If I had more money to burn I probably would go all in on some of these Linux-targeted laptops.
I’d also add a lot of them seem overpowered for my needs. I do like me a big screen but I don’t need a powerful GPU to go with it. I have a desktop rig for that. I can always just ssh into it if I need to do GPU heavy calculations.
Same scenario for me! My laptop only serve to have a device when I’m on-the-go, but at home, I use my desktop. It was one of the reason why I went with an older Thinkpad, it’s well supported and with no dedicated GPU, it’s dead silent most of the time. I’d love a 16:10 screen, but the options are pretty expensive and often not as repairable as my T480.
System76 and Pinebook never ever ship to Indonesia even they have branch in Singapore, or even sorting center in Batam Area (which is Indonesian soil), :/
They aren’t shipping here at all… Like I said, even they have warehouse in Indonesian soil, it only used for… supporting Singapore… it’s strange condition tbh…
Thinkpads tend to have excellent build quality, solid firmware and well thought out design. Price to performance on second-hand models is always outstanding and their popularity ensures hardware compatibility with Linux.
Of the brands you named, I just don’t trust the hardware. Tuxedo computers for example uses Tongfang white-label computers that they just slap their logo on. Quality control isn’t as thorough as Lenovo’s, firmware is sketchy, TDP tends to be all over the place and keyboard quality doesn’t come close.
Thinkpads also have-- and I can’t stress the importance of this enough-- a nipple. I don’t really use it, but if you try to take it away from me I’ll bite you.
Some of these dont really ship worldwide. Not all of them offer a good bang for the buck in terms of hardware specs, and big companies sometimes offer more options (system76 traditionally didnt offer screens over FHD, most laptops are only 14"…).
Those are all expensive, used Thinkpad is below the ground-dirt cheap…$150?!
My Thinkpad Ultrabook was insanely cheap even with a docking station. I do donate to Pop OS once a year though as a thanks for their work and I recommend the same. It’s like $12 a year on their site and they do great work.
Trying to get one of their laptops but thats in short order for me, for now.
Adding on:
lack of quick shipping
proxied payments like PayPal or apple gpay
some use laptop kits that are supposedly cheap
hardware different from software if it breaks and there’s no store or big company to ask for a refund from, you’ll be pissed
some of the hardware reviews about bugs and their handling of them are damning
Thinkpads are popular, well supported, generally well built and sturdy. The indie startups may or may not provide proper support, have the proper experience to build a good product and are harder to find resources for.
Thinkpads are cheap and easy to get for the power they contain. Devices like the Purism phone are extremely expensive for just a tiny bit of the power and plenty of problems in tow.
I didn’t know about Starlabs but apparently THEY HAVE SHIPMENTS TO MEXICO YES!!! regarding your question these are these major reasons:
for the most purists, the vendor should have a certificate from FSF saying that “it respects your freedom” a thing that almost no company have (at least that’s what I saw in modern vendors)
in my case and other regions, it’s way more probably you can get a Thinkpad easily and more cheap than one from those mentioned
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