If you're fine with limited hardware just use hardware that is supported by Linux. Every Thinkpad I've used so far worked perfectly out of the box. If you're not sure what to buy just look at the list of Ubuntu certified hardware: http://www.ubuntu.com/certification/
Honest question: isn't hardware supported by Linux strictly a superset of OSX? I.e., is there any Apple computer you cannot install Linux on? I've been running Ubuntu on a mac mini and I know others who do the same. Is there a problem installing Ubuntu on a macbook or an imac? If not, then this whole subthread is moot, no?
I'd rather spend time building. The value prop of doing the research isn't worth it when I can just buy a Macbook Air and not even have to think about it.
Frankly I have never done any research at all when buying laptops intending to use Linux on them. Maybe I've just gotten lucky, but I really don't think so.
The last computer I purchased I purchased at a bar on my phone while rather intoxicated. The only thing I did was sort newegg's laptop selection by "cheapest first" and bought the cheapest. I don't think I missed out on any "building" time... If what everyone says about Linux hardware support was true, there is no way in hell that should have turned out fine.
Oh, statistically speaking I reckon this could work out just fine. However, Linux hardware support is a lot better than some claim here. The average desktop with it's x86 architecture, usually on-board sound and some mediocre GeForce is supported just fine. Seriously, that's what most people use.
Concerning the video cards I think people miss out on the proprietary drivers from Nvidia here which have always worked brilliantly for me since mid 2007 or something. Yes, they are proprietary but so what? As far as I know ATI cards work pretty well too.
Linux sound support works fine as well, it's still mostly ALSA underneath calling the shots which works like a charm. PulseAudio, I admit, usually doesn't. You always have the option to remove it from your system though - or even better: Don't install it in the first place. The actual drivers are in ALSA though, so nothing to complain here either.
CPU and RAM support is a no-brainer with linux. Never had any issues. I actually had a ton more issues with it under Win7. Recently plugged some 32gig additional memory into a workstation (64GB now) and Win7 only accepts 48 of it. Booting into Linux everything works and I've got the full memory capacity at my fingertips.
So I wonder, what is this all about? I've been using Linux on quite a few pieces of hardware and never ran into any serious issues. Yes, I had to screw with the X config a few times but that doesn't file as "not supported", just as "stupid defaults".
Me too. I typically always buy Thinkpad X-Series laptops. They always worked fine with Linux and I didn't really have to do much (if any) research.
So you buy Macbooks because they run OS X and I buy Thinkpads because they run Linux. Where's the difference? (Except that I would also be able to run Linux on other types of laptops if I wanted to).
Not the one you're responding to, but: I guess the difference is the preferred pointer device plus the screen quality. I have to tell you though, I've seen quite a few posts of people switching from thinkpads to macbooks and not one of them was looking back to the thinkpad's pointer nipple, at least not if they have been using a macbook after a while. All other differences of those two products are basically a matter of taste IMO.
Here's a datapoint: After buying a 13 inch Macbook pro (and having had it stolen), I went back to the T420. I miss two finger scrolling at times, but I love having page up and down. I love using the pointer the pointer and scroll bar without having to leave the home keys. When I was on a recliner or laying on a couch, using the trackpad was often annoying and uncomfortable.
Option-up/down doesn't replace an actual Page Down Key.
It's certainly interesting that it's more comfortable for you to use Page Down instead of two finger kinetic scrolling. I only find myself using the Page Down keys on Desktops instead of the mouse wheel. Well as I said, it's basically a matter of taste.
Btw. how are the screens these days? I've read that the resolution is quite low, but do they at least have good contrast / color spectrum / brightness / viewing angle? I'm asking because my father wants to buy one again (low res is actually a plus there).
As for page down, I think the nicest piece of it is that when I hit page down, I know exactly where to reset my eyes when reading something that's longer. Now, space usually worked in safari, but it was suprisingly unpredictable. Of course, pages meant using option+up/down or scrolling.. We all have our quirks, I guess. :)
I have the upgraded 1600x900 screen, so I can't speak to the quality of the lower resolution screen. I've heard it isn't as good, but I will say that for programming, the 1600x900 has been great. (I forgot to mention how much I hate glossy screens as opposed to matte...) From everything I've heard, the upgraded screen is much better.
Thanks for the heads up. I'm not sure yet whether 1600x900 is the right choice for him; Windows software is still not as resolution independent as it should be and he needs rather large text. I think that the retina pro would actually be quite good in that aspect because the scaled resolutions are very well implemented there, however $2.3k for my father's usecase is quite a stretch ;).
We come from different socio-economic groups. I simply can't fathom the idea of making a $1k purchase so casually that I couldn't even be bothered to do a bit of cursory research. Even 10-20 minutes of light googling is too much for you? How much can you actually build in that time?
