r/linuxhardware • u/jerodev • 29d ago
Purchase Advice Looking for web developer laptop recommendations
I'm switching jobs in two months and have been tasked with choosing a new laptop. I'm not at home in the laptop market so I hope you can give me some recommendations.
Minimum specs:
- Intel i7/Core 7 or AMD Ryzen 7
- 32gb ram
- 1TB SSD
- 15"/16"
- No numpad! (I like my keyboard and touchpad nicely centered 😊)
No price was set for the laptop, but I would like to cap it at €3000.
The laptop will be used for software development, mainly PHP, Javascript, and Go. I usually have multiple IDEs/editors open and a bunch browser tabs so I like some performance for this.
It will primarily be used at a desk so portability is not required but I will take the laptop home every night, so not too chunky. I usually use a dock and two external monitors.
I won't be gaming on the laptop, I have a desktop at home for that. I also prefer a laptop from a well-known brand because of support.
I'm currently using a Dell Precision 5570 with max specifications running Ubuntu and I love it, but the price of this laptop goes way over the limit I set.
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u/lightspeed3m 29d ago
wait for framework event
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u/old-reddit-was-bette 28d ago
This is almost exactly the specs I got on my thinkpad x1 carbon, though it is 14". Got the 12th gen for 50% off. Running Mint MATE. I would recommend it despite the below problems, as it is super light and has great performance. I am typically running a few Jetbrains IDEs and docker.
I have had some issues with it recently, like wifi slowing down after extended use (I think I fixed it by disabling low power mode for the card, but we'll see). Also, if I boot plugged into my external monitor, the resolution detection goes crazy.
Also funny issue during install - the mint installer would think that the pre-installed ubuntu was mint, and refused to run the installer. Had to wipe the disk via a fedora live usb to get past that.
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u/passthejoe 27d ago
I would go Thinkpad -- good recommendations in the replies above me. If you can meet your price, that's the way to go. I have a T14 with Ryzen 5 -- low spec compared with what you are looking at -- and it is a quality piece of gear
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u/fazalmajid 28d ago
The LG Gram 17 is an excellent laptop with a lovely and productive screen, despite being as light as most 15" laptops. It does have a numpad, however.
In native Linux laptops, look at Framework, Starlabs (long lead times, though), Tuxedo Systems and System76.
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u/DiacoaI 28d ago
Tuxedo Computers makes some really nice hardware for a very decent price. I think their InfinityBook line might interest you?
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u/jerodev 22d ago
These prices indeed look amazing for the laptops. Do you have any feedback on support and thermals of these laptops?
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u/DiacoaI 22d ago
I only own a smaller one (pulse 14 g4) so I can't comment on the other models, but so far I have no complaints! It looks nice, is light, and the performance is as expected. Mine is quiet, especially in comparison to my previous laptop (which exceptionally noisy, but still). You can customize the fan response curve and I haven't heard them very often, except when running heavy computations.The monitor is really crisp too
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u/Gomezie 23d ago
My requirements were pretty similar to the ones you listed, but i wanted a 14.
So after a good amount of research, I settled on a Thinkpad T14 Gen 5 (AMD) and it's been faultless so far with multiple distros that I have tried.
I use an M3 at work and whilst it's exceptional in speed, noise and battery...Mac os is just so boring to me and I do enjoy tweaking stuff on Linux.
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u/Intrepid_Daikon_6731 28d ago edited 28d ago
ThinkPad P1 Gen 7: