Hacker News new | ask | show | jobs
by 1--6zVa-E 1753 days ago
I’ve never really looked into Linux laptops, so excuse my ignorance on the topic, but can’t you just install Linux on any Windows laptop? I don’t see the point in Linux focused laptops, so please enlighten me
3 comments

My last 5 laptops, with the exception of my Chromebook Pixel LS, have been Windows laptops I wiped to install Linux on. The worst issue I had was one needed a BIOS update so that Wifi would work properly. Things working is less of a concern if you stick to the more common config types: eg, no gamer rainbow backlit keyboards and weird bells and whistles like that.
Ouch I don't even know what a BIOS update is. Mac user here, I appreciate Linux mechanics but I don't seek to be one.
BIOS updates are OS independent. It's the first screen you see when you turn on the device that tests the memory and finds the first bootable drive.

It's not a Linux Mechanic thing.

A lot of laptops use components from vendors that don't release either Linux drivers or the specs needed to create them, so things either don't work at all or don't work well in Linux.
Oh, why use specifics when you can just say "A lot" and "don't work at all"?
With Windows, for your $100 license fee you're getting support and a level of guaranteed functionality. Similar with MacOS, the cost is embedded in the purchase of the hardware and it's guaranteed to work and be supported for multiple versions.

Linux is free. That's incredible, but it means there's no one paid to help you.

When Wi-Fi drivers don't work, mouse doesn't work like you expect it, computer doesn't hibernate properly, or computer doesn't boot, no one is paid to solve your problem.

For computer mechanics and tinkerers, maybe updating BIOS to fix wifi not working is fun or a mild annoyance. For me...I need to get work done. I pay thousands for a computer so I can do my work.

With Linux on a Windows laptop you get none of that. There's an incredible Linux community, but why make them work for free on fixing your mouse?

A Linux-first laptop is one which comes with Linux support from the vendor. That means they've done work ahead of time to make it specifically work for your exact configuration - processor, wifi card, ram, ssd, touchpad. And that with future Linux updates they will continue to update and support your hardware.

The idea of using an OS without vendor support is like Russian roulette for a non-programmer like me. That's why I bought my Linux laptop from System76, a Linux-focused vendor.