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Looking for a durable and repairable Linux laptop for business use (lemmy.world)
submitted 2 weeks ago by to c/linux@lemmy.ml
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Hello everyone,

I currently use Linux as my personal operating system and really enjoy it. I’m now looking for a reliable laptop for my business.

I’ll mainly use it for office work, software development, and programming in C++ and Python. I use Debian, so good Linux compatibility is important. Durability and repairability are also high priorities, since I plan to use it as my primary work laptop every day.

Could you recommend any laptops that would be a good fit?

Framework and System76 aren’t options for me because I’m located in Costa Rica, where they aren’t readily available.

Thank you!

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[–] 20 points 2 weeks ago* (8 children)

Lenovo has pimped out the Thinkpad name ever since they bought it from IBM. Whilst some thinkpads are still durable (the business class especially) they also slap the name on some very poorly made laptops. Worth spending time researching models rather than just assuming every thinkpad is built like they used to be.

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  • [–] 17 points 2 weeks ago* (5 children)

    Worth spending time researching models rather than just assuming every thinkpad is built like they used to be.

    A very brief version: Look for T-series with specs you like. W works too if that branch is still around. Xnnn series is pretty good, X1 not so much. L series is a consumer brand, a bit better today but specially first L-models were just trash.

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  • [–] 1 point 2 weeks ago* (3 children)

    Why don't you like the X1s?

    I've had OpenSUSE Tumbleweed running on a Carbon Gen 11 for a year now with no issues. The fingerprint reader and touchscreen both worked out of the box.

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  • [–] 1 point 2 weeks ago (1 child)

    Just that they are not built the way "traditional" thinkpads are. I don't have personal experience how durable they are, but in general they aren't as easy to repair as T-series (for example). With T-series it's pretty straightforward to replace nearly every component separately (wifi, ram, keyboard, display...) which is either way more difficult or straight impossible to do with X1. Also spare part availability is generally better with T-series.

    But to be honest, newer T14s aren't as service-friendly either as older T-series. But if repairability is a deciding factor then I'd skip X1 and get some T-series instead.

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  • [–] 2 points 2 weeks ago

    That’s a fair assessment. The build quality is great considering they’re business laptops, but since they are a smaller form factor the repairability isn’t nearly as good as other models.

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  • [–] 1 point 2 weeks ago

    The X1 line is more integrated and they aren’t the line to buy if someone wants to upgrade their laptop. The RAM is soldered on the board to get it as thin as possible, for example.

    I have a gen 9 X1, and it runs Linux great! It’s also not getting upgraded aside from the SSD.

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  • [–] 7 points 2 weeks ago

    tbh, the lenovo models are more durable than ibm ones. the last ibm thinkpad (t43) has fragile plastic housing while the first lenovo model (t60) has sturdy magnesium rollcage.

    most if not all T/X/P models are still good. worse than 2006~2013 models in some ways, but still miles better than other laptops on the market.

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  • [–] 4 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

    I wouldn't completely disagree with what you're saying, but ThinkPads are absolutely still the most reliable laptops you can buy in their respective price range

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