Rant: Linux Laptops got a price problem

is kinda old now but stil :slight_smile:

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What makes a laptop, a linux laptop?

I don’t see why would I not buy a used laptop to get a good deal on specs. Outside of those awfully ugly RGB “gaming” laptops who have proprietary windows apps to control all that, isn’t ever laptop a linux laptop?

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Stickers :joy:

But seriously, in my mind the only true Linux laptops are some of System76, coz they use coreboot and completely kill Intel ME, which is HUGE plus! :+1:

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Atleast some hardware chips is tested on linux and proper support on kernel is not with all laptops?

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I do think the price is somewhat high for what you get. I ordered my Linux laptop at https://laptopwithlinux.com/ .
Works nice on my laptop.

I do always go for intel with integraded graphics, because that works best for me on Linux.

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mostly dedicated Linux Notebooks are around 100€ higher in price… reason? they do not sell that much… and they need special testings to see if all hardware is nicely supported.

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I buy from PCSpecialist in the UK, they don’t do Linux but they do offer their laptops without Windows. They are mostly Clevo.

and have a German site:

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You shouldn’t have put that link. With the lockdown, I am sooo close to pull the trigger and buy yet another laptop!

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Do it. I did.

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F this sh**. I am ordering it!

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They are actually selling generic brand laptops (I’ve seen one of theese reviewed on LTT, under a different brand. i think the generic brand is called Tongfang). However, if they are willing to put a solid 3 year warranty on these, it seems like a good deal. Especially since, if you remove Windows from the configurator, the price is really really good. Magnesium case thin and light with 10750H CPU for 900EUR? That’s a really good deal.

In a way, the high price for a linux laptop helps the certain company to provide even more products with linux preinstalled. People who can afford apple products will find these pretty cheap, however students(like me) or the average consumer will find them pretty expensive. Regardless, you’re better off getting a laptop full amd or a desktop, imo. Gobble gobble

For a new Linux laptop, there are vendors offering some very nice laptops with nice hardware specs.
But budget Linux laptops are Thinkpads with Coreboot.
my T440p, X220, Yoga 15 and X230 are running Linux flawlessly.

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personal a laptop a price range from 400 to 600 is nice as on the budget.

Exactly! I’m eagerly awaiting the arrival of my new (refurbished) Thinkpad T480s . $630

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I totally agree with his rant though. I don’t buy most of the TRUE linux laptops because the price is simply too high. I buy Windows laptops and put linux on them because it’s actually CHEAPER than buying a linux laptop.

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I love Linux. And I’m too poor to afford most of the Linux laptops. I didn’t even think to ask if they could ship my new thinkpad with Fedora. It was on the outlet site. I should have done that. Dammit all.

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Probably wouldn’t have, the outlet laptops most of the time they don’t offer pretty much any flexibility with beyond “can I buy extended warranty” in my experience.

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Probably not. Either way, this is the first “new” computer I’ve purchased since 2005 when I went off to college other than a really cheap $170 refurbished Acer Chromebook I got a number of years back now. By far my biggest computer purchase in a long time. Other than the Pinebook Pro, I can’t fathom owning a properly made System76, or tuxbook or something in the near future. And I’m setting this baby up so hopefully it’s my last computer for the better part of the next decade.

Edit:

I just want to note, this baby ran GalliumOS quite nicely.

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Heck, I buy new laptops quite regularly, but can’t imagine being able to buy a System 76 or Tuxbook with the prices they run. I did recently spend $1200 on a T14 AMD, but that was a HUGE splurge due to working from home and not spending money on gas. With the exception of that, the most expensive laptop I’ve bought in the last 4 years was $800 after shipping & tax.

edit - My GalliumOS (now Debian 10) laptop was a HP Chromebook 13G1. M7 6Y75, 16GB ram, 3200x1800 LCD, and as thin and light as an XPS, but not QUITE as small. $105 (although with no power supply, but it’s USB-C power!!!) off-lease from ebay!!! STILL have it too, although it just sets in it’s sleeve and doesn’t get used anymore

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