As the title says, I am currently learning to be a programmer, and my tablet does not suffice for the job.
I have already finished a small MEAN-Stack application for learning Typescript, learned some Java syntax (I expect nothing more exciting than a sorting algorithm, but exam language is Java, so…) and the next stop will most likely be plain vanilla C to learn about handling hardware.
Windows I hate with a passion, and I don’t know squat about Macs, so I am thinking of getting myself a decently sized laptop for a sensible Linux install.
History (I started my Liux journey with SuSE Linux 4.4.1, way back when) taught me to be very wary of driver issues on laptops, so I thought I could ask you for recommendations that play fair with Linux.
(as an aside, if I could play GuildWars2 on it in the evening and attach my two big monitors when at home, that would be super cool)
I can not recommend the framework laptop enough. Love their mission of producing a reparable and user-friendly laptop. You can even buy it without windows, to install your own OS from the get go.
I’ve only heard great things about Framework (https://frame.work/) however their laptops are not cheap. I wouldn’t necessarily assume that they fit a student budget. OP didn’t say what their budget is but you can definitely get a laptop that is adequate for programming for less than half of the price. That being said if the budget is there the upgradability and repairability may make it an economical option over the long-term.
Yeah, Framework seems like a premium product for sure. I want one but I definitely can’t afford it anytime soon. Also worth noting that a new framework mainboard rivals the price of some entire laptops. So while it is definitely upgradable and one of the most repairable laptops in the world, it is still a pricy ecosystem to be in.
I had been holding off on a laptop purchase waiting for framework to ship an AMD board, but they took so long that I had to buy another laptop instead. The new models they were showing off at Computex look so cool though. I am really excited about their swappable GPUs.
Laptops these days do much better with Linux than before. But if you really want ~0% chance of dealing with driver issues, I’d go with System76 laptops. They’re made for Linux, and with Linux pre-installed.
Dell and Lenovo also offer laptops with Ubuntu pre-installed and supported.
Thinkpads are absolute tanks and support Linux quite well. Would shy away from the T470 and T480 though. The touchpad on those isn’t really well implemented. If you don’t care about reliability my Surface Laptop Go does Fedora Silverblue 38 really well.
You seem to be German, so your solution is a Tuxedo laptop or computer. A German Linux hardware company.
You can never go wrong with a thinkpad (T or X series). They are durable computers for general use (In this example, software development).
Personally I would try to get a ThinkPad from a bankruptcy auction or similar, I got my T15 for around $600.
Thinkpads are popular and well respected among linux users, and the trackpoint is dope as well. If you want a gpu workstation that also works for gaming, check out the P series.
Go for Framework, you can upgrade components in a few years instead of buying a whole new laptop.
even better if you can stick it out for a few months and get their new one when it releases
Assuming you’re fine with non-free drivers I don’t think there’s too much to worry about nowadays (at least that’s what I’ve gathered from personal experience & the lack of hearing other scomplain).
That said, I’ve never had any issues with HP devices, and even an HP Chromebook worked without too much hassle.
Thinkpads are also a classic Linux machine, and I doubt you could go wrong with those either.
Elitebooks and zBooks are fine. Other HP machines are very hit and miss, and mostly miss. The Pavilion lineup still gives me nightmares.
