Image description:

Shopping for a laptop as a Linux user:

Screenshot from the Simpsons where Otto is talking to Marge and Homer standing next to a window in their house with a caption “Oh wow, windows!.. I don’t think I can afford this place.”

  • The Hobbyist
    13•9 months ago

    Have you considered second hand? I’m not talking second hand specifically for framework or other mentioned brands, but just in general.

    I feel it is not yet normalized to consider second hand for electronics, yet you can find quite some good deals. Not everything needs to be bought new, especially if you are price sensitive. One generation or 2 older hardware bought second hand can be better and cheaper than new.

    • @[email protected]OP
      7•9 months ago

      Yes, I’m a huge fan of second hand as well, but this has to be a brand new laptop for external reasons.

      I’m in fact writing this from a 12 year old Thinkpad that I restored.

      • The Hobbyist
        5•9 months ago

        What are your actual requirements? Are you looking for something specific?

        • @[email protected]OP
          3•9 months ago

          Thanks for trying to help me out but in this situation the laptop must be new, sold through a retailer in my country that is on a specific list. I don’t think you can help me out with this one, there just aren’t any options that meet this demand that have no system or linux. They always come with windows preinstalled.

      • @[email protected]English
        3•9 months ago

        There are newer Thinkpads that can also be found second-hand. With NVME storage and newer CPUs. The Linux support for them has actually gotten better. Lenovo is still the best hardware for Linux out of all the old manufacturing brands.

    • @[email protected]English
      4•9 months ago

      I watched a YouTube video where this guy buys thinkpads that are “broken” and often they just need ram installed or something simple, and for a minor risk of buying a dud, he gets laptops for super cheap.

      • @[email protected]OP
        2•9 months ago

        It’s what I used to do myself. I have had multiple thinkpads that I bought BIOS-locked and fixed that problem using a screwdriver and some good timing :D Amazing machines.

        But I am looking for something brand new, because of requirements that were not set by me.