3 years ago I needed a new computer and decided on an 16 inch M1 Macbook Pro, but did lots of overthinking about if I wanted to stick to it. I tried Asahi Linux didn’t have any reasons at the time to use linux over macOS (but there was always the chance I might later), the build quality is 2nd to none, none of my Windows laptops lasted more than a few years.
3 years later, I’ve really been itching to switch to Linux. Two of several reasons: because its DEs are more customizable, it has better documented accessibility APIs if you want to make keyboard navigation software. I reinstalled Asahi Linux and really tried to make it my daily driver, but the lacks of apps would require me to dual boot: Photoshop and Roblox.
I researching again for computers closest to Macbook Pros but none of them come close to its build quality. I think it would be best for me to make my own desktop PC for linux. I don’t think I’d fare well with another windows laptop brand.
I was questioned by others about why I use Linux. I don’t think I need to explain the reasons to every Windows user.
Frameworks are super solid linux laptops
Been using a FW16 with fedora. It is pretty solid.
The repairability leads to some concessions on build quality but that would be a sacrifice I’d be willing to make.
I honestly haven’t really noticed any major build quality issues. Just that the two separators on either side of the trackpad module don’t quite sit level with the trackpad module itself and if I’m being really nitpicky there’s slightly more deck flex in the keyboard than I like.
Other than those two things, the laptop is solid, at least under my usage patterns. If you were swapping IO modules frequently then I could see wear on the plastic edge of the modules and laptop body and maybe the usb-c connector itself potentially becoming an issue after a couple of years.
I didn’t say there are major issues, just that a Macbook will look better in that respect.
Asus never disappointed me, I have Linux running on a 16 year old eeePC and on a 1 year old TUF gaming notebook.
Two friends of mine have it running smoothly on ThinkPads.
I would never buy HP again, to run Linux on it. It was and is such an effort to get and keep it running with HP being so restrictive regarding BIOS, drivers, and so on.
I’m super happy with the ThinkPad T-Series. Solid build quality, and the keyboard is magnitudes better than the MBP i had before.
