I’m looking at buying a new laptop which will run EndeavourOS exclusively, no dual boot no modding no nothing.
The choice is either Lenovo or MSI (neither have NVidea grahpics and both have intel i5/i7 chips with integrated graphichs).
Which brand is likely to be more Linux friendly?
There’s also an option for a Asus but again i’m only looking at whether i’m likely to run into Linux issues, the specs are virtually the same for all.
Framework works good for me and they are supporting linux.
Obligatory comment that recommends Framework, as they support linux out of the box.
Aside from that, more important than the brand is the laptop model. Some parts (like fingerprint, camera or touchpad) may not work with linux, and that depends on the model, not the brand. So I’d suggest searching for the model you’re interested in, and then combining that search with Arch (usually has the latest - but sometimes unstable - packages, so you’ll see what’s probably possible), Debian (wide user base, but older packages, so you’ll see what definitely works) and then EndeavourOS, to see any issues that may come up that are really relevant for you.
Framework has horrible reviews…
I would probably go with a Dell but to be honest, I don’t think any brand feels worth the money.
Honestly asking, who gave them horrible reviews? Have seen some middling ones and support has some negative threads in the forum, but nothing really bad?
Dont buy Lenovo, both of mine broke after a year of light usage at home. Keyboard buttons on one, trackpad on the other.
They have a reputation from old that they are built like tanks, but Lenovo changed all that and now it’s plastic and shitty components.
I’m not sure about MSI, but most Lenovo, especially if it’s a business model, will be supported pretty well and will probably have a page on the arch Linux wiki dedicated to it or it’s series.
Lenovo ThinkPad
Other options: Framework, Dell Latitude
Used ThinkPads and Dells with Linux for a decade before switching to Framework two years ago. The Framework is great but it’s probably not as cheap as you can get a ThinkPad deal for. That said, repair costs on a Framework are likely lower than any other option. Batteries are cheap, motherboards aren’t cheap but they’re available and very easy to swap, so the next time you have a serious problem you won’t have to swap the whole laptop. Assuming Framework remains a good company till then.
Lenovo has a solid track record of the Linux community getting things working if at all possible. A lot of us like Lenovo laptops.
That said, there’s new options where the manufacturer actually actively intentionally supports Linux. The two I am most aware of are System76 and FrameWork.
Framework has an extra price premium because the parts are all replaceable. So probably cheaper in the long run, but more cost upfront.
The feedback I’ve seen on System76 gives me the impression that the System76 team set out to replace their own Lenovo laptops with something that doesn’t need the constant Linux support checks for each hardware generation.
Source: my own shopping for my next laptop.
I find that Dell is very Linux friendly, some of them even comes with Ubuntu installed and supported on them.
You can find a slightly used one for a few hundreds $, and they are easy to upgrade, repair, etc, buy a Precision or Latitude that is coming from a company replacing them after 3 years.
I have a Dell Latitude now and it’s been great running EndeavourOS but has now developed a hardware issue so I’m searching black Friday for a replacement.
