I’ve noticed in the Linux community whenever someone asks for a recommendation on a laptop that runs Linux the answer is always “Get a Thinkpad” yet Lenovo doesn’t seem to be a big Linux contributor or ally. There’s also at least six Linux/FOSS-oriented computer manufacturers now:

So what gives? Why the love for a primarily Windows-oriented laptop when there are better alternatives?

  • Corroded@leminal.space
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    1 year ago

    It comes down to price. You can buy used ThinkPads and replacement parts for them quite cheap a lot of the time.

    It’s been a while since I’ve looked at devices from places like System 76 but if I recall correctly they are still over a thousand dollars when a used ThinkPad T440P for example can be found for around two hundred dollars.

    • smoothbrain coldtakes@lemmy.ca
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      1 year ago

      Framework laptops are interesting and I hope eventually the modularity allows the components to go down in price. Right now I was looking at a 16 (which all sold out within 3 hours of pre-order launch) but it comes out to easily over 3k CAD for a disassembled kit, skimping on RAM and an SSD.

    • IsoKiero@sopuli.xyz
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      1 year ago

      I can confirm this with personal experience. Wife has T470 (if memory serves, something around that) for 100€. That was from previous work and they offered my old laptop for cheap, so it doesn’t really count as average, but not uncommon either at least around here. I got myself T495 a while ago for 299€ from “public” market and have been purchasing couple years old thinkpads for decades now. There’s plenty of those available, they work just fine for the workload we have for laptops (I got a separate desktop for more power hungry applications) and they’ve proven to be pretty reliable workhorses since the brand was owned by IBM.

      Framework specially is really interesting approach and I’d love to test to their hardware, but they don’t have Finnish keyboard available just yet and I can get several used thinkpads for the price of one framework, so as long as I’m using my own hard earned money I rather spend it on a known brand where I already know what I’m getting into and spend considerably less money while doing so.

      Also with linux thinkpads tend to work just fine or at least there’s documentation and howtos to get everything working.

  • Lee Duna@lemmy.nz
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    1 year ago

    Those linux laptops are too expensive and they are not available in some countries

    Used thinkpad is much cheaper

    • ikiru@lemmy.ml
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      1 year ago

      Maybe there’s a better place for this question, but how do you make sure a used laptop is safe? Or would removing Windows and installing Linux be enough?

      I want to buy a laptop for Linux, and would buy a used one so that it’s cheaper but I have to admit I worry about it. I know one could be worried even about new laptops and what manufacturers could be up to, but I feel like the unknown arbitrariness of a used laptop gets to me.

      • Corroded@leminal.space
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        1 year ago

        You could look into a Libreboot compatible model. When buying a used laptop for Linux the big thing you need to be careful of is a locked BIOS

        • Pantherina@feddit.de
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          1 year ago

          No shit installing Linux on an Acer (even though the hardware is horrible and doesnt support Linux) was way easier than on my T495. Also the Uefi is sooo damn slow, I can only imagine what proprietary hell they put in there. The Acer Uefi is 2s, the Thinkpad Uefi is like 7s its crazy, slower than booting Linux.

  • arthurpizza@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    In the US a lot of business use them. It’s not uncommon to see a pallet of “old” ThinkPads at the swapmeet selling for less than $200. We’re talking x1 Carbons. These machines have upgradable SSDs, Wifi, and battery. For less than $300 you can get a BEAST of a machine that runs Linux very very well.

  • kr0n@lemmy.ml
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    1 month ago

    Recently I had to decide what laptop I buy and I decided to buy an used Thinkpad T480s for 260€

    I was browsing in the Framework and Slimbook websites but the price it’s more than three times. It’s true that they are new and the Thinkpad is used, but I was looking for Framework and Slimbook in second-hand websites but I didn’t find nothing.

  • Phi@feddit.de
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    1 year ago

    For people starting with Linux I am more comfortable to recommend them second hand/used laptops. And Thinkpads are prime examples for repairability and upgradability so you find a loot more Thinkpads that go for cheaper.

    Besides that. My next Laptop is either gonna be a framework or something from Tuxedo.

    PS: I know that newer Thinkpads lack in repairability. I have a X1 Carbon with soldered-on RAM… Suffice to say I wouldn’t buy that again…

  • TCB13@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    Why do people recommend Lenovo computers that are poor quality and fail often instead HP EliteBooks that are rock solid and well designed?

    • smoothbrain coldtakes@lemmy.ca
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      1 year ago

      The Lenovos are cheaper to repair by and large, because there’s just so many of them. I find HPs have overheating issues and I steer clear of them as a manufacturer.