this post was submitted on 10 Feb 2025
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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.
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It's good, a lot of good work going on, what they already have is impressive and the development seems pretty active and progressing well.
But if you're buying a laptop to run Linux and don't plan to use macOS, I really think there are a lot of better options out there (depending on what's important to you). You're going to pay the Apple premium price for a computer, and though apple computers are good hardware, they're expensive and largely overpriced for small upgrades. Whatever price you find for a refurbished M2, take that money and go find a laptop known to be well supported on Linux, it'll just be a better experience and you'll probably get more for your money.
I haven't run Asahi in 6+ months but thunderbolt/usb4 wasn't working when I last used it so I couldn't use my usb dock. Video was OK but I think Audio was sketchy (don't remember specifics). It's stuff that will get fixed at some point but right now it feels like a handful of minor annoyances or inconveniences
Even in 1-2 years when Asahi gets some updates and is in a better spot (I really do expect it to be) I still don't think I'd lean towards a macbook with Asahi over something else if Linux is the only OS you're going to run. Of course, if you're looking to dabble with some iOS development or something else you need a mac for, but don't want to live in MacOS, then Asahi's a great option to get you back to Linux.
not an apple user, but apple is well known for their build quality. what other laptop manufacturer is on par with apple's build quality?
Apple hardware is good, but not priced at the same quality to price ratio because there's no competition. You can get other brands with higher quality at the same price point that better supported by Linux.
I think that was the point there. Not that Apple has bad hardware, but lack of competition and the premium for the product family mean you can get higher specs per dollar with many other manufacturers and you can find hardware that won't require "jailbreaking" or other workarounds or missing drivers to get it working with Linux.
Apple computers ARE really well put together, maybe no other maker exactly as good. But I’d say the Microsoft Surface line is a similar quality. Razer too though they’re pretty expensive.
Asus zephyrus laptops are pretty great build quality, close to Apple but without the same kind of pricing and markup gouging we get from Apple
Im not an apple hater, they make some great stuff. My point above was just that they don’t have competition in the “I need a Mac” space so their hardware isn’t competitively priced. And their build quality is great, but not every laptop needs to be built like a tank with top of the line components.