I am typing this post on a modern “Thinkpad” from 2020 where the hardware volume keys could never change the volume on Linux. But everything works more or less correctly in Windows 11, unfortunately.
What are my options for getting computer hardware, desktop or laptop (etc.), where the hardware is specifically supported under linux?
Let’s say I am wanting to plot a graph with “Usefulness” on the Y axis and “Cost” on the X axis. Then I could plot each computer on the graph, and make a decision about how much money to save up and spend for the best value that satisfied minimum requirements.
In my initial searching, I have uncovered these vendors as supporting Linux, albeit at a (usually) premium, niche price point:
- System76
- Framework
- Dell
- IBM/Lenovo Thinkpad
However I don’t yet have a good intuition for when this is true (for example my thinkpad having incompatible hardware) or where these belong on the hypothetical usefulness vs. cost plot.
Also, as I understand it, linux distros are not in the habit of “supporting” specific hardware as “works on our distro.” However in the past some have attempted to keep track of what works better than other things. I am hoping for a legitimate guarantee that the hardware I buy will not have hardware problems with the distro it supports. At least for some time.
My personal “minimum” requirements would be: feels “snappy” loading the OS and webpages/videos/media. The touchpad and keyboard are fully usable. All the hardware works correctly, and DPI/screen resolution doesn’t cause scaling issues (or said another way, fractional scaling doesn’t cause problems. Maybe this is unrealistic if I want to use arbitrary software like hexchat which is GTK2).
Let me know if I’m thinking about this in the right way or missing something.
EDIT: thank you everyone for your suggestions!
I know people are going to hate me for saying this, but based on your stated priorities recommend getting a MacBook Air or MacBook Pro. As much as I love ricing Linux and playing games, I use my MacBook Air for 90% of all my computing and coding. MacOS provides the most polished user experience out of the box (although it’s going down hill with every update they push). And once MacOS hits the enshittification event horizon you can switch to Asahi.
I suggest at least going to an Apple Store and dicking around with a display model to get a feel for the UX.
I haven’t been a fan of Mac OS for several years now, however I am kind of curious what it is like to use these days. My biggest concern with Mac OS is that the system will stop getting updates and new web browsers especially will stop working – this is what happened to my parents’ Mac systems. I guess that was an unspoken requirement – I expect with Linux that my hardware will be supported 15+ years, and I could still use it for some purposes even when the hardware is slow. With apple hardware and software they seem geared towards getting you to buy the latest and greatest hardware. And it looks like it is unclear whether or not community support and reverse engineers will be able to support the hardware in the long run.
Next time you’re looking for a toaster, let me know; I have a bunch of refrigerator recommendations for you.
Can’t install Linux on macs anymore. They won’t boot from external drive and locks the ssd via security.
Why bother spending more on a computer with an OS you admit is enshittifying and that you’re going to put linux on eventually anyway?
Get a used Thinkpad, slap Mint on it and be on your merry way, and prevent some e-waste while you’re at it.
This is an example of why people make fun of fanboys. They asked “What are the best options for computers that explicitly support linux?” Lol you don’t even have to read further than the title! Completely irrelevant “answer”.