There exist a few linux hardware vendors (laptops, pcs, phones) out there. Is the community using them?
See https://linuxpreloaded.com/ for vendors
Built my own desktop around a Threadripper 1900X I got a fairly good price on several years ago. It’s supplemented by an ancient HP laptop that originally shipped with Windows Vista Home Basic. Both run Gentoo (yes, even though that laptop has no more grunt than a Pi3).
I’m still considering what the replacement for that ancient, cranky laptop will be when it finally gives up the ghost, since it’s used more as a media consumption device than anything else.
I’ve been considering the PineTab as an option, yes. Didn’t know about the Starlite, probably because it seems to be from the other side of the Atlantic. Hmm. My problem with premade tablet devices is that they’re significantly smaller than the 17" display built into that junk laptop—the small screens may be higher resolution, but as I get older, I find I get more benefit from the larger absolute size. That and I don’t like touchscreens. The front-running replacement option at the moment is to cobble something together from a Pi4 or other Linux SBC, a portable display, and a few other parts, but I haven’t gotten that far yet. Or just pick up another used laptop from somewhere.
Does having Gentoo help the laptop limp along? Probably to some extent, but it still has the original HDD in it, so that probably slows it down more than having bespoke binaries helps.
I have a System76 Lemur Pro 10, while the hardware quality is poor (poor speakers, poor quality chassis, poor trackpad), it has been pretty solid otherwise for the last 4 years, with PopOS as my daily driver which I really love.
For work, I use a 2019 MacBook which has great hardware, but I am not a fan of MacOS. Will soon ask for upgrade to an M1. (My perfect laptop would be Apple hardware running PopOS).
My next laptop will likely be a Framework laptop unless System76 rolls out their own hardware which is much much improved than their current lot. I hope my current laptop will probably last 2-3 more years, if not more. (btw I use Steam Deck for gaming needs)
I have an all AMD system made of a Ryzen 5800 OEM, 48GB of memory and a 6900 XT. I’ve been using Linux almost exclusively for more than a few months and thankfully AMD hardware runs better on Linux that it did for me on Windows. Though I may add an nVidia GPU to the mix for VFIO fun for a no-compromises setup if I need something from Windows.
I also have a homelab machine with a 13900K ES and 32GB of memory. A 13900K is overkill but it has good single core performance for a gaming server and running docker services at the same time.
I built a Ryzen 5-3600, 32GB of DDR4 Memory, a 500GB NVME boot ssd, a 2tb HHD, a Nvidia GTX 1650 PC.
I also have a Lenovo IdeaPad 1 15.6" Laptop - Intel Pentium Silver N6000 for my laptop.
As well as a Raspberry Pi 3B.
How’s NVIDIA treating you? What made you go for it?
And how’s your experience with the raspberry pi? Are you able to watch videos in your browser?
My Nvidia works just fine, I went with it because thats what I had when I switched from windows to linux.
I only really use the pi as a simple server
I’m using a SteamDeck as my desktop environment while docked, I think it’s the only “Linux first” machine I’ve ever bought. All of my other systems I either built from scratch, a mish-mash of secondhand parts and purchased upgrades, or have been provided with through work.
How’s the SteamDeck working out for you? I’ve read it uses an immutable filesystem that’s wiped on every update?
I’ll get one of those when I have the money for a high-end laptop.
Are there no linux shops in your geographical area that sell low to mid range laptops?
Is this a thing anywhere?
Ordered the starlite a couple of weeks ago, can’t wait to test it out! delivery times are quite long, so gotta hold my breath
I’m curious about it, but it’s pricey! It’s the framework alternative, isn’t it?
The lite is a tablet, which might be perfect for me, as I often work on remote machines anyway. Framework seemed pricier to me with some nice extras… but I didn’t really get well acquainted. If it doesn’t pan out I’d look into framework.
Tuxedo InfinityBook and quite happy. It has great specs and looks good. It tends to get quite warm, but I’m not too bothered by that…
Ayy, tuxedo has been a very good experience so far. It’s my go-to now, but they increased their prices like crazy recently.
Did you choose to get it with a linux preinstall and what do you use now?
Yeah, I got it with their Kubuntu version TuxedoOS and I’m pretty happy with it.
I had a Macbook Pro before and it’s company hardware, so price wasn’t a concern for me, but I understand my privilege there…
Framework, MacBook pro, Mac mini, custom built AMD system, fanless Intel system with for ethernet ports from Ali express, gli.net devices
You know, random hardware!
Are you running linux on all of them?
5/7th of them :)
So not on the macs, I assume?
Correct. But I do tun Linux VMS on the mac’s… so… maybe
What led you to getting a mac?
Work issued, I was all thinkpads before, but It lasted 10 years… and that’s a hell of a selling point.
Grew to appreciate the smooth interface. It’s not Linux, but it is BSD I grew up on BSD. So I’m very comfortable with Macs. Get Brew running, a bunch of docker containers, it’s a full-fledged environment. Get some QEMU VMs going and it does everything.