People always recommend System76 in these threads but they're just rebranding Clevo systems. You might consider cutting out their "value add" and just getting the unbranded NV41MB for ~$100 less (depending on how you configure it).
I understand they're working on producing their own laptops as well, but I bought a System76 Thelio desktop at the beginning of the pandemic ("guess I'm not going anywhere for a while") and it's been fantastic.
I also feel that calling it "just a rebrand" does a disservice to the engineering System76 has done short of building their own hardware. Pop OS is a real usability achievement, the tiling desktop is great, and controlling both hardware and software is how you get something as user-friendly as a mac. I especially loved this review of the Oryx: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aJ9U5t9oD4
While getting it directly might be cheaper, it is necessary to realize what those $100 extra value add is getting you: someone did their work and did the integration necessary to run Linux seamlessly.
You see HN threads full of complaining that there is always something to "fix" when running Linux. Your $100 goes towards not having to "fix" anything and working correctly OOTB.
It is surely not perfect (I wouldn't know, I use different distro).
But when people won't reward Linux integration, and reward Windows or Apple instead, there won't be any Linux integration and they will be getting Windows or Apple.
Offer a competitive price for a competitive product and support and people will pay for it. That's currently not possible with Linux for personal computing.
I don't have any ill will towards Linux, I use it myself at work and home. But I'm not buying my parents a System76 machine for Christmas because I know the OS is unusable for them while the machines themselves are not well priced or spec'd for their needs.
The closest thing I could buy is a Chromebook, which fits the needs of a kid in school certainly but is a bit weak and ill supported for what they use a computer for.
So if I do get either of them a new computer, it's going to be a Windows or Mac. Linux options for them don't exist. There's no way to "reward linux integration" even if I wanted to, it's just not realistic.
There are Linux offers from Dell and Lenovo; I heard something that HP could offer it as well.
When you are paying for Windows, you will be getting Windows. It is up to you. However, don't complain that you have to "fix" something when installing Linux on a Windows machine; after all, you got Windows machine and that's what your vendor prepared for you.
I also feel that calling it "just a rebrand" does a disservice to the engineering System76 has done short of building their own hardware. Pop OS is a real usability achievement, the tiling desktop is great, and controlling both hardware and software is how you get something as user-friendly as a mac. I especially loved this review of the Oryx: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aJ9U5t9oD4