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Comment by techrat | Hacker News Reader

Subpar, overpriced hardware that is whiteboxed from another manufacturer. Too few options, barely considered design, fundamentally underwhelming overall.

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What are you comparing to? The number of Linux-focused vendors is pretty slim. Would love to hear about better vendors you've found!

Better Vendors: Any.

I currently have a Teclast laptop that I imported and wiped to put Linux on. Worked out of the box.

Previous system was a Chromebook Pixel LS. Ran like a champ.

It's not difficult to get a Debian derivative running on virtually any system by this point. And that's what PopOS is. A Ubuntu spin. You think they're putting work into the kernel for hardware support? Hah. Nope. They're not.

Linux Focused? Well, if you want Linux that badly, you'll find a way to make it happen. It's easier to install Ubuntu onto a system than it is to install Windows 10.

If it means I have to buy a Dell XPS13 and format Windows first, at least I know I'll be getting higher quality hardware at a lower price instead.

System76 is Clevo garbage. Garbage with Linux is still garbage.

Ah I see what you mean. Yeah, a Linux focused vendor is a must have for me which means Teclast and Chromebook are out.

I'm coming over from Mac and have no interest or time to dive into Linux. Even if 99% works, that 1% is too much for me.

I did consider a Dell XPS 13 Developer Edition. But, I need Linux to thrive long term. Linux is a side project for Dell and Lenovo. Their hardware is better but I need real Linux support.

I would have no problem supporting System76... if the foundation of their hardware wasn't whiteboxed crap to begin with.

The insane markup for subpar hardware is what leaves a bad taste in my mouth on top of that.

Well said, I look forward to their custom laptops in the future!

I’ve never really looked into Linux laptops, so excuse my ignorance on the topic, but can’t you just install Linux on any Windows laptop? I don’t see the point in Linux focused laptops, so please enlighten me

A lot of laptops use components from vendors that don't release either Linux drivers or the specs needed to create them, so things either don't work at all or don't work well in Linux.

Oh, why use specifics when you can just say "A lot" and "don't work at all"?

My last 5 laptops, with the exception of my Chromebook Pixel LS, have been Windows laptops I wiped to install Linux on. The worst issue I had was one needed a BIOS update so that Wifi would work properly. Things working is less of a concern if you stick to the more common config types: eg, no gamer rainbow backlit keyboards and weird bells and whistles like that.

Ouch I don't even know what a BIOS update is. Mac user here, I appreciate Linux mechanics but I don't seek to be one.

BIOS updates are OS independent. It's the first screen you see when you turn on the device that tests the memory and finds the first bootable drive.

It's not a Linux Mechanic thing.

With Windows, for your $100 license fee you're getting support and a level of guaranteed functionality. Similar with MacOS, the cost is embedded in the purchase of the hardware and it's guaranteed to work and be supported for multiple versions.

Linux is free. That's incredible, but it means there's no one paid to help you.

When Wi-Fi drivers don't work, mouse doesn't work like you expect it, computer doesn't hibernate properly, or computer doesn't boot, no one is paid to solve your problem.

For computer mechanics and tinkerers, maybe updating BIOS to fix wifi not working is fun or a mild annoyance. For me...I need to get work done. I pay thousands for a computer so I can do my work.

With Linux on a Windows laptop you get none of that. There's an incredible Linux community, but why make them work for free on fixing your mouse?

A Linux-first laptop is one which comes with Linux support from the vendor. That means they've done work ahead of time to make it specifically work for your exact configuration - processor, wifi card, ram, ssd, touchpad. And that with future Linux updates they will continue to update and support your hardware.

The idea of using an OS without vendor support is like Russian roulette for a non-programmer like me. That's why I bought my Linux laptop from System76, a Linux-focused vendor.

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