Linux

47307 readers

699 users here now

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

Rules

Posts must be relevant to operating systems running the Linux kernel. GNU/Linux or otherwise.
No misinformation
No NSFW content
No hate speech, bigotry, etc

Related Communities

Community icon by Alpár-Etele Méder, licensed under CC BY 3.0

founded 5 years ago

MODERATORS

[email protected]

119

Buying a new computer to run Linux on - suggestions? (midwest.social)

submitted 1 month ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

88 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Hello. I have never used Linux before in my life, but this post isn't really about the software. I know there are many guides and threads out there explaining how to set up Linux for beginners.

My question is more about what computers you guys suggest for Linux. I don't have any old computers lying around at home, I only have a computer assigned by my school that I'll turn in next year. To my understanding, Linux should be able to work on almost all computers, so I haven't thought about a specific brand.

My top priorities are (in order):

good/great battery life
quiet
compact and lightweight

Preferably a 13" or 15" screen, though I prefer the former. Just a small machine with a great battery life that also doesn't make much noise when several apps are open at once. I have looked at Asus before, but I'm not sure what the general consensus is of this brand, so I was hoping to get some suggestions. I've also looked at Framework computers, but honestly it's a bit expensive for me. My budget is ~1000$ (10 000 SEK).

Might be unnecessary information, but: I will be using this computer mainly to write documents, make the occasional presentations, browse the web, and watch videos and movies. So no photo- or video editing nor gaming at all. Like everybody, I hope to buy a computer that will last many years and survive many student theses. Cheers and thanks!

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[–] CMDR_Horn 36 points 1 month ago (2 children)

Look at frame.work they have good documentation about various Linux distros on their machines

[–] [email protected] 15 points 1 month ago (2 children)

I have, unfortunately they're too expensive for me.

[–] [email protected] 14 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

a cheaper version

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 month ago

They're within the $1k spec you mentioned? Not to mention future cost savings in repairability and upgradability.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Their firmware updates are pretty late and they ditched coreboot.

But I guess the hardware is awesome. Keep in mind that these thunderbolt adapters suck quite some battery, so having a laptop simply with the ports you need uses up less battery. Also, the modularity may not be needed and causes it to be less stiff.

[–] Chef6652 9 points 1 month ago (1 children)

They ditched Coreboot?

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 month ago (2 children)

They gave some coreboot devs laptops but didnt invest anything apart from that, afaik. The result was not working well enough, so they use insyde (which has pretty cool features but also past security vulnerabilities and it is backdoored by Intel & the NSA)

Like, UEFI being backdoored by the NSA is not a conspiracy. "Persistence" in "end user device data retrieval" was one big goal. Persistence means than an OS reinstall, Secureboot, boot integrity, QubesOS disposable Cubes etc. will all not protect you, as that shit is in the firmware!

No security or privacy without coreboot. Google knows that and has all their servers on coreboot and also all Chromebooks. Android is ARM so that is different but also WORLDS more secure than any secureboot garbage.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 month ago (1 children)

It looks like work is still being done on Coreboot for the Framework. They got it running on the AMD version. It's not ready for use yet, but at least there is some progress.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 month ago

Nice! Thanks for the note!

Frameworks sound like a really cool idea.

Can you disable ports like on hardware? It would save a good amount of battery