Hi. My name's Bill. I use Linux Mint Mate.

My current laptop is falling apart and needs replacing. I'd like a machine with excellent build quality if possible, and fair performance. I don't use it for gaming, but might watch the occasional video from BBC iPlayer or Youtube. Mainly it will be used for e-mails, news websites, Facebook, stuff like that. Any help in choosing a new machine would be much appreciated.

Thanks

I have two Zareasons, a laptop and a desktop. I'm quite happy with both of them.

http://zareason.com/shop/home.php

1 members found this post helpful.

Hi Bill...

Welcome to the forum

While I can't speak for build quality, an idea that might be easier when it comes to using Linux is to purchase a laptop that has Linux preinstalled. Here are some companies that offer such laptops...

https://system76.com/

http://zareason.com/shop/home.php

http://emperorlinux.com/

https://puri.sm/

Let us know how it goes.

Regards...

Latitudes, always Latitudes

What are you willing to spend?

This is a very wisely put question. Dells have all been okay, about 15 years ago. There was some IBM machine in reach which was impressive in look, feel and performance. Today's Dells may still be expensive, but...

Personally I have been surprised and am still very satisfied with an ASUS K73E (link to the Linux compatibility guide). The case is partly metal and the hinge-joints do not suffer at all and are immaculate after 5 years of intensive use. I have seen other more recent models which look much alike.

The weakness of this notebook was the power connector which comes off after a while due to solder joints being overstressed. After the repair, it is robust and does not move. I had to replace the power adapter but am already used to Bluestork equipment for other notebooks. These two details may have changed with newer ASUS-models but should be observed. Get the maximum available memory (in case) as the longevity of the material justifies the investment.

I always buy refurbs and have had good success with many. My HP 8440P is like a tank and runs every Linux I've tried with zero issues. I really try to avoid the really new stuff as it has issues...

Depends on your budget, but I like to buy used T-series ThinkPads for under $100. My current rig is a T61 which I've had for a couple of years. Runs everything I throw at it. Currently runs Slackware 14.1. Runs OpenBSD great, too. Check ebay, craigslist, thinkpaddepot.com. Easy to work on, too. I just replaced the power jack for under $10, simple process.

this mite be helpful:
http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...ar-4175562741/

DrBillBass,

If you live in the UK then I can recommend this HP 255 G4 which works fine with Linux and only costs £219.99:

http://www.ebuyer.com/725713-hp-255-...op-n0z75ea-abu

I've always had great luck with Lenovo.

I replaced Windows on my T420s with OpenSUSE when I first got it and it's been great. Did the same with a T440, and then again with an X1 Carbon. All have been phenomenal with zero issues, except that stupid click pad they used on the x40 series...thank god they got rid of that.

Dells are alright, but they have a nack for sticking Windows-only hardware in them, so wifi and audio drivers can be a royal PITA on Linux. Lenovo typically sticks to Intel across the board, so everything just works out of the box.

Has the trackpad on the X1 carbon been al figured out? I read a couple articles when they first came out that it only had very basic functionality.

It's always worked fine for me, no issues since I got it back in ~July of last year (3rd gen). What kind of basic functionality? All I use is regular pointing, clicking, and two finger scrolling, which has never been an issue. Except for LibreOffice, which refuses to scroll correctly with a trackpad...