Linux @lemmy.ml mFat @lemdro.id 2 mo. ago

Small linux-friendly laptop

I'm looking for a portable, very compact linux laptop.

Screen size: 12 inch or smaller Weight: less than 1 kg (2.2 pounds) Full hd screen

I did some googling and i only found a CHUWI laptop that suffers from an overheating issue.

69 comments

Just go with a Framework 13. Yes it's 13 inch instead of 12 inch. But you will get the best possible Linux laptop out there. And it's also fully repairable and upgradable. I have the latest Framework 13 AMD 7040, yes AMD. And... do not forget to select the new 2.8k display. Allowing for the first time to just select 200% DPI scaling that just works for Linux! So no scaling issues.! https://frame.work/nl/en/products/laptop-diy-13-gen-amd/configuration/new

And select "7640U - 2.8K Display".
- I need something super compact and below 1kg.
  
  Framework laptop 13 is just a bit above 1kg. It's 1.3kg... It is worth weighing this choice (you get the joke? hah, guhmm). If you really need something super compact and very light, maybe a old-school "netbook" will do.
  
  Like the GPD WIN Mini (7 inch, that is super compact, right?).. But really get a Framework laptop hehe.
- One day they will wake up & provide an OLED option with 100% DCI-P3
  
  Keep dreaming :D
Your best bet is an Intel Macbook Air with 11.6" screen from a few years ago. They're even lighter and smaller than the current macbook airs. I have one myself running Linux Mint 22. Just make sure it has 8 GB of RAM (it works with 4 GB too, but you can't have too many tabs open). They sell for $200 refurbished.
- Thanks. Which model/year do you have?
  
  I have the mid-2011 model, but that one has only 4 GB RAM. For 8 GB RAM you need to get to 2014 model or so. As long as it's Macbook Air with 8 GB RAM and 11.6 screen, you're in business.
- Hey, that sounds very interesting. It's there anything not working as it should work that hw/sw combo?
  
  It usually all works except the wifi in some models. The driver exists, and it's an available download in the official repos (just not in live cds, due to licensing), as long as you have a usb-to-ethernet adapter to install it. However, with Mint 22 I noticed that the wifi driver was finally included in the kernel and livecd by default.
You're probably better off looking for hardware to meet your spec requirements and then looking into its Linux support.
- Older thinkpads would come to mind, usually a good option. Generally affordable, repairable, and can be good for Linux.
  
  Sub 13 inch thinkbooks are low-spec school laptops AFAIK.
GPD might be what you're looking for? https://www.gpd.hk/
- The 10 inch one looks interesting. Thanks! Are these compatible with Linux?
  
  Considering you can buy it with SteamOS preinstalled, I'd say probably so yeah.
X1 Nano:

narrower than the old 11.6 laptops and slightly taller.

Higher than 1080 screen due to the taller ratio.

IPS display

0.97kg without charger.

Thinkpad keyboard and track point.

strong Linux support

Here is the PSREF for the first generation. They are up to Gen 3 of this line now.
I miss my eeePC
- I just put DSL2024 on mine a few months ago, it works okay lol. Can't do much more than use the terminal or edit text but it's pretty fun to use the old hardware again. My only complaint is the zero key sticks.
- They were nice little machines, but I don't miss the keyboard.
  
  Keyboard was better than my phone soft keyboard.
  
  I gave it up due to the processor. I think it only had one core?
Old used surface pro 3 works great with linux ,hardware still fine and screen is awesome.i own one and run pop os on wayland.

Resolution of screen 2160x1440 12' Intel Core i5-4300U
- I want a proper laptop with keyboard.
  
  The Surface Pro keyboard is actually quite good, with the added bonus that it's also easily detachable.
Thinkpad X280?

LENOVO ThinkPad X280 12.5 LCD Ultrabook - Intel Core i5 (8th Gen) i5-8250U Quad-core (4 Core) 1.60 GHz - 8 GB DDR4 SDRAM - 256 GB SSD - Windows 10 Pro 64-bit (English) - (Renewed) Title https://a.co/d/4ylP22d
- Yeah I just saw some people on Reddit recommended this one. Checks all the boxes except for weight, but a very good option anyway. Thanks.
  
  Fwiw I used to daily an x210 and then an x230 in IT and pretty frequently typed with one hand while carrying with another without the weight bugging me but your mileage may vary.
  
  You can definitely send them flying and not damage them my coworker launched theirs across the office and the bezel just snapped back together.
  
  I have a T480 now since I do more dev work and needed a slightly bigger keyboard/screen and it's phenomenal with Qubes and 48gb of memory on the quad core i5. Love the ease to repair I just swapped a motherboard on it in around 30 minutes and was back up and running
- Latitude 5290 has the same CPU and upgradability of a t480, but no trackpoint. Build quality is great (from my experience) and it's under 200€ used.
If you can stretch to a 13 incher (no pun intended), LG gram might be your best bet. Around 965 gram weight, reasonably priced, can run Linux without any problem.
- I still believe Framework laptop 13 is the best choice when going with 13 inch.
  
  Framework is amazing (I have a 7840u 13in) but they're expensive. 100% worth it to me as an enthusiast and IT professional but possibly not for someone less interested in the tech itself.
Minisforum V3 is 12” and less than 1kg.

But it is not quite a laptop, expensive and very powerful - not sure if that suits you.

Linux wise, most of the stuff works (sleep, power profiles, volume buttons, fingerprint reader, face recognition, pen, touchscreen). Things that don't work are automatic rotate/accelerometer.

I'm super happy with it, running arch, doing development and using VMs.
- Thanks. I've tried tablets and still prefer laptop form factor.
I use a Samsung Tab 9. Then supplement with a server running VSCode-server and other things. I would prefer Linux, and sometimes use TermuxX11, but it was the best I could come up with.
- So you do all your coding on your tablet?
  
  Usually on my desktop connected to vscode-server, but when I'm remote, yes.
- Or use a mi pad 5 with linux for coding on the device. The geekbench score is comparable to a thinkpad t480. (this)
Do your research, but if you can tolerate 13” diagonal screen, the retina intel macbook airs are cheap.

Do you have needs other than Linux compatibility, size and weight and screen resolution?
- I need enough RAM since I open too many browser tabs. I also edit 1080p video occasionally.
  
  You can get em with 16gb of ram. They were all 8th gen or tenth gen intel processors and the 8th gen and up igpus shred 1080 in my experience. I use a laptop with an 8th gen to stream several sources at once.
  
  The only issue you’re gonna run into is storage, but I use external or networked storage for everything anyways.
I've heard good things about the MNT pocket reform.
- I was just about to comment this lol
I have a HP dragonfly g2, 11th gen Intel i5, 16gb of ram, 2.1 lbs, 13” and everything including tent mode works on fedora. I got it on eBay for $275.
- Did yours overheat really badly? My 11th gen i5 pavilion did. Repaste, everything. Just ran super hot on battery. It'd kick on the fan and goodbye battery
  
  I haven’t had that issue, and the battery life has been really good for me doing general things. Compiling hits it hard.
in my experience Linux works on any laptop i put it on

buy what you want and give it a go!
- Not entirely true. Fingerprint scanner doesn't work on my Lenovo thinkbook 14s yoga, for example. And lenovos are known for their Linux friendliness.
  
  good point
  
  the novelty touchpad/numpad combo device on my asus thing also doesn't work but i'm fine with that
  
  so i guess if you have specific device requirements from the laptop, make sure they do work before buying
Older Thinkpad (eg T460)?
- T460 has a 14 inch screen.
  
  Ah, so it does [1]. Apologies! Perhaps another older Thinkpad has a 12" screen? From what I've heard, and from my experience with my own T460, they're usually pretty solid laptops, so if you could find one with the specs that you are seeking, I would say that it's worth considering.
  
  References
  
  "Product Specification Reference" (Version 506, May 2017). Lenovo. Published: 2017. Accessed 2024-09-11T19:41Z. https://psref.lenovo.com/syspool/Sys/i_pdf/psref506.pdf.
  
  [§ThinkPad T460 Platform Specifications]
For what it's worth, yesterday this thing was mentioned here.
- This is overpriced. Have you looked at Starlite tablet?

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