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mrmercedes @lemdro.id

linux laptop

Hi

I run proxmox and Ubuntu machines on my server , but have always used a windows laptop(which is work based).

The work laptop now is very restricted so I was thinking of getting a laptop with Linux.

There are a few ThinkPad X1 carbon gen 7 i7 on sale in Europe.

I was wondering would they work well for Linux.

I just be using it as a daily driver , battery life is prob main concern.

Thank

42 comments

  • Thinkpad is a excellent choice for Linux as Lenovo supports Linux on some machines. I am rocking an old intel 4th gen Notebook as sidekick to my main machine. Works like a charm and was cheap.

  • Just stay away from anything that has a dedicated Nvidia GPU. I have tried everything, still no distro apart from popOS! that didn't massacre my battery....

    • This might help with that.

      Still, I regret ever buying a Nvidia Optimus laptop.

      • I don't mind mine. It works fine in Fedora, but I only use it for CUDA/AI stuff and no gaming. I probably could game, but haven't cared to go down into that money pit yet.

        I screwed up and followed outdated advice and guides for my initial install and config. That broke the proprietary driver after the first kernel update. After reading the official Fedora documentation, I now have the self compiling kernel driver that automatically updates itself after ever kernel change.

        As far as AI, a laptop with a 3080Ti with 16GBV is quite capable. There is nothing else that comes close to that much VRAM in a mobile device.

  • gen 7 is 10th gen intel right? Should work just fine. I'm on a P14s with Ryzen 5000, works flawlessly on Debian 12.

  • If you can get a Carbon X1, do it. Yes the battery is smaller but it's a sleek laptop so portability is high.

    And if you're doing heavy work just plug in the charger.

  • The bootloader functionality is the main thing you really want to know but is hard to find out in most cases. If you can find a machine that accepts custom keys with secure boot you're better off. There are methods that enable secure boot without the ability to add custom keys, but this involves special 3rd party keys signed by Microsoft. It also makes kernel mods a pain if not impossible. The only machines you can fully control are those that can accept custom keys.

    There is an excellent guide that describes every aspect of this, including the attack vectors, vulnerabilities, and peripheral uses of the system. It is from the US government here: https://media.defense.gov/2020/Sep/15/2002497594/-1/-1/0/CTR-UEFI-Secure-Boot-Customization-UOO168873-20.PDF

    The only other reference I have found with additional information is from a Gentoo guide that describes how to boot into the UEFI system and make changes directly. This may be an option if you can't alter secure boot.

    https://wiki.gentoo.org/wiki/User:Sakaki/Sakaki%27s_EFI_Install_Guide/Configuring_Secure_Boot

    Again, this only really applies to modern hardware with secure boot, and only in instances where you may need to run custom kernels or modules other than those that come presigned by distro packagers using Microsoft's 3rd party key.

  • I have used Thinkpad x230, x1 3rd Gen, and x1 6th Gen. All of them have been flawless with Linux.

    • My main machine is still a x230. I don't notice the difference between it and my Ryzen desktop unless I'm compiling something big.

  • Currently typing this on my X1 Carbon Gen 9 with PopOS. It works great. Battery life is about 20% better than it was with Windows but Pop is optimized for laptops and most distros are a bit worse on battery.

  • Another place to look is at Lenovo laptops, I've had no problems installing Linux on them, and catch the right sale and you can get some really nice deals, though you have to be careful as they have a ridiculous number of variations on each model, some existing only for a single special deal.

42 comments