[GLLUG] Laptop recommendations?

[ashton at msu.edu]

Wow, something I can actually possibly contribute about!

This boils down to what you intend to do with it. When you say you want one to keep at your desk at work, I wonder whether a desktop might be a better option. They are cheaper, more powerful, and more durable.

If you want something you can occasionally schlep around, but mostly it isn't going to move that much, you can probably get a good price on a midsize laptop.

I haul mine to and from work almost every day (by foot and bike), and use it in different settings. So I really like a very lightweight but durable beast. Since I program (and write) on it a lot, I need a good keyboard. I have been very happy with the two Thinkpad X-series notebooks I've had over the past 5 years for this. Over the past dozen years I've probably owned or maintained 10 different laptops (all linux), and the Thinkpads have been the best.

Installing Linux is generally pretty simple. I have had some problems with wireless network setup and sound from time to time. GLLUG helped me out at a meeting years ago, but things are much easier now; there's a lot online to help, if it doesn't work 'out of the install'. I've run Debian-based distros (Sidux currently) for years, and they usually Just Work (tm). Sometimes though things will break as packages change in Sid.

Again, think about how much portability, screen size, and keyboard feel matter to you, as these are the big issues. I've settled for super lightweight, smallish screen, great keyboard (and rather high price), but your sweet spot will vary.

Ashton
  Quoting STeve Andre' <andres at msu.edu>:

> On 02/05/13 23:27, Taylor Burke wrote:
>> Hey guys,
>>
>> With my tax return in the works, I'm looking at getting myself a new 
>> laptop that I can keep at my desk at work. I've been looking at some 
>> of the i3/i5 Ultrabooks since I'd like something that can be 
>> powerful enough for the Netflix app for Ubuntu, but really I've only 
>> ever owned two laptops so I'm not really sure where to start.
>>
>> Do any of you guys have recommendations? Have you used any 
>> Ultrabooks, and if so, would you recommend them?
>>
>> Thanks!
>> Taylor
>>
>
> I still think that Thinkpads are the best built laptops.  I have a friends HP
> laptop next to me and I'm not impressed..
>
> Take a look at http://linuxlaptops.com/ <http://linuxlaptops.com/>for 
> general data.
>
> --STeve Andre'
>
>
> <http://linuxlaptops.com/>
>
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