Ask HN: Linux laptop with MacBook-like build quality
Am I just looking in the wrong places, or is it still really hard to buy a Linux laptop with MacBook-like build quality? Are you running a Linux laptop? Where did you get it?
The MBA needed non-kernel driver (which was a breeze to install anyway). The MBP uses an in-kernel one, so no issue there.
It doesn't get more MacBook-like than that. :P
ssh old_mac "dd if=/dev/sda" | dd of=/dev/sdaDepending on where the ssh server is (source or target):
dd if=/dev/sda | ssh -C 1.2.3.4 dd of=/dev/sda
ssh -C 1.2.3.4 dd if=/dev/sda | dd of=/dev/sda
The only real problems I have is the touchpad (currently tweaking synclient to get it just right) interfering while typing occasionally, and the completely crappy experience with the Thunderbolt docking station (it rarely goes perfectly when docking/undocking, but even if it does, sometimes the displays refuse to wake up while docked).
All that said, I really dig it. I've had two macbooks in the past, and can honestly say this machine is a FAR better experience and much more cost effective.
I'm very satisfied, the installation was easy, everything is working correctly, apart the fingerprint reader but biometric is a joke so no big loss.
The biggest problem with this machine is the fan system, it's configured at a pretty conservative temperature and when the fan start, it does a 1-2 seconds at almost full speed which is noisy.
The ports are just right for me, an hdmi port, two usb-3 and two usb-c which will make my life so much better when I will buy this screen/usb-c dock: http://www.philips.co.uk/c-p/258B6QUEB_00/brilliance-lcd-mon.... With an unique cable I will have everything I need when working from my desk: power, video, audio, ethernet, keyboard and mouse!
Speak for yourself because fingerprint sensor on my smartphone has changed the way I use it. Don't call the whole field of tech useless because Lenovo chooses to cheap out on their components.
Of course there's the balance of security and convenience.
It has all of the things I care about:
- 1080p IPS display (13.3" screen)
- SSD
- 4GB of RAM
- Fast enough to handle real work loads (lots of browser tabs, running large Rails apps in Docker, streaming music, etc.)
- SD card and USB ports
The whole thing was $350 USD and it's under 3 pounds.
Details are at: https://nickjanetakis.com/blog/transform-a-toshiba-chromeboo...
That doesn't mean it's only usable for browsing, though. It's actually a surprisingly powerful device. I'm on the dev channel, which although occasionally buggy, also improves integration with Android a bit. It's got:
- F.lux/redshift equivalent: Night mode. It's built in, but only in dev for now.
- General Linux stuff: Termux. That's a linux-distro-as-android-app. Debian-based.
- Remote shell: SSH-in-a-window-or-tab, mosh. Or Termux.
- Remote desktop: Well, VNC, but there are tons of options here.
- Video player: mpv-android. Much better than the built-in player.
- Writing: Aint, or Google Drive. The latter does work quite well offline, the former is a good bit faster though.
- Development... Termux comes with the usual suspects; python, clang, node.js and so on all work. Can't say I've taken advantage, but it's nice to know that it's there if I need it.
All of that without flipping the development switch on the chromebook. About the only thing I'm missing is graphics support for Termux, but my needs are simple, and Emacs runs as well in a terminal as in a window.
Generally, chromebooks are modern netbooks (not saying that's a bad thing, just different), and not really comparable to an MBP.
Also, the resolution is really nice. 1080p on a 13" machine is plenty of PPI.
Sure a MBP has retina, but at the end of the day you're probably running a 13" MBP at 1680x1050 which gives you less screen real estate than the Chromebook. The only difference is, things will be liquid smooth looking.
I don't think I would have tried it without GalliumOS. It's surprisingly polished.
Works flawless under Fedora 25. Plus I even get the firmware updates presented "through Gnome".
Build quality is very nice, although it's no full aluminium unibody
All the components work out of the box. I would prefer a slightly better track pad, but it is still probably the best oem Linux laptop you can get.
I've found that using a thinkpad and the TLP program helps 1 by setting some sane defaults and allowing for customization and it helps 2 by allowing the computer to better maintain the battery.
OP would be well suited to bringing their mighty mouse along with them.
I'd say it's a great laptop, just don't get the touch screen. That'd probably help with the battery life as well.
Replacement parts (such as a palm-rest from dropping it off the sofa) cost a few quid, and that's if you manage to absolutely deck the thing.
It's happily chugging away with Debian, all components work OOTB.
Got to recommend a used Thinkpad, and advise checking out the Thinkpad subreddit, they've got some great advice on buying - not all Thinkpads are alike.
So full compatibility.
Note that the T470 line is built with magnesium, and the X1 Carbon / Yoga have a lot of carbon fiber parts. Both make for a high quality feel.
The pros are a quad core i7, NVidia 1060, a better keyboard than MBP (my opinion), 16gb RAM, option of 4K glossy or 1080p flat panel. I chose the 1080p so I don't have glare.
Switching video cards has been my biggest issue. The Nvidia sucks battery so there are times I want to switch to the integrated Intel. The switch works, but switching back hangs the machine. It happens in the logout or shutdown part of switching video and the login (MDM on mint) never loads. It doesn't matter which card I switch to or from, just the second swap every time. Mint 18.2 is using LightDM which I'm hoping will work better, but I haven't tried yet.
About the quality. If you don't believe me about S76 quality please read this https://www.reddit.com/r/linux/comments/48y2db/system76_lapt... maybe that will change your mind. MBs are not perfect (non laptops are) bud they are so damn close (depends on what you need). If you want solid laptop you should really look mostly in to MB, Thinkpad series and XPS series, depends on your requirements (wants look and HD speeds? take MB, wants upgrade your laptop in the future? take Thinkpad or XPS)