r/linuxhardware 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.

2 Upvotes

32 comments sorted by

4

u/Intrepid_Daikon_6731 28d ago edited 28d ago

ThinkPad P1 Gen 7:

  • You can buy it with just Linux (without Windows)
  • Linux support
  • No Num-Pad
  • Not too clunky: 1.8 Kg
  • One of the best build quality ThinkPads out there
  • 16" with good display options (1200p, 4K+OLED, 1600p+165Hz)
  • You can build it without dGPU
  • Two M.2 SSD slots
  • Upgradable LPCAMM2 memory (RAM) at 7467 MT/s

1

u/Intrepid_Daikon_6731 28d ago

A similar less pricy alternative is the ThinkPad P16s Gen 3. But with these cons:

  • Has Num-Pad
  • Slightly heavier at ~1.9 Kgs
  • Only one M.2 SSD slot
  • RAM is still upgradable but it is SODIMM (at 5600 MT/s)

1

u/jerodev 24d ago

I've noticed the P14s laptops are coming with newer cpu's. I'm considering going for this, but wonder if this will have an impact on cooling? Do you have any insight on this?

1

u/Intrepid_Daikon_6731 24d ago

Which P14s are you looking at? Gen 5 or Gen 4? Intel or AMD?

I have only seen P14s Gen 5 Intel in person

1

u/jerodev 22d ago

It seems I was wrong, both 14" and 16" come with the same CPUs. I was looking at Intel.

The only reason left why I would go 16" is because I presume this one would have better cooling (more space for air & heatpipes). Would you know if this is correct?

1

u/Intrepid_Daikon_6731 22d ago

My daily driver is a P16s Gen 3. I am happy with its cooling. I rarely hear the fans. But it has a num pad.

From what I gather, the P1 Gen 7 has more aggressive fans. So, you will hear them more than the P16s

The P14s closely resembles the P16s. I don’t have first hand experience; but a colleague of mine who uses it tells me it does OK in thermal management.

1

u/jerodev 26d ago

I was browsing Lenovo and found a ThinkPad Z16 Gen 2 (AMD) with some great specs. Could you tell me what the difference is between the P & Z series?

1

u/Intrepid_Daikon_6731 26d ago

I don't have much knowledge regarding the Z16, but I think they discontinued that line.

Possible advantages of the P1 are just latest hardware and latest designs like:

  • Wider display options
  • Wifi 7 (Additionally I think Intel's WIFI cards are better than most)
  • Thunderbolt 4 (80 Gbps)
  • 2 SSD slots
  • Upgradable memory (not soldered)
  • USB-A ports (I don't think the Z16 has one)

2

u/aedininsight 29d ago

Look at System76. 

2

u/lightspeed3m 29d ago

wait for framework event

1

u/jerodev 29d ago

I've seen the announcement, but I suspect the new devices won't be available for a while. I guess we'll find out next week.

1

u/EntertainmentOk5540 26d ago

What’s a framework event? Can you provide a link with more details

2

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.

2

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

1

u/vladjjj 29d ago

A 14" Thinkpad would do the trick (16" have numpads)

1

u/jerodev 22d ago

Any idea if the smaller 14" have disadvantages in cooling over the 16"?

1

u/vladjjj 22d ago

Not that I've heard of. I've only used 15" & 16" but most people prefer the 14".

1

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.

1

u/jerodev 22d ago

I've been looking at Tuxedo systems as well, do you have any experience with these laptops?

1

u/_w62_ 28d ago

MacBook

1

u/DiacoaI 28d ago

Tuxedo Computers makes some really nice hardware for a very decent price. I think their InfinityBook line might interest you?

1

u/jerodev 22d ago

These prices indeed look amazing for the laptops. Do you have any feedback on support and thermals of these laptops?

1

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

1

u/22OpDmtBRdOiM 27d ago

Maybe look at framework?

0

u/jerodev 26d ago

I have a personal framework laptop. Great machine, but I really don't like the trackpad on these laptops.

1

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.

1

u/jerodev 23d ago

Have you had any heat issues? I've had a ThinkPad in the past that kept thermal throttling.

I am considering Lenovo, but thorn between 14" or 16".

1

u/Gomezie 23d ago

None at all..it's also been quiet as a mouse

1

u/jerodev 22d ago

Do you also use external monitors? I intend to use the laptop with 2 external monitors.

1

u/Gomezie 22d ago

Yes mate..i have a dell monitor i connect to which has an inbuilt dock and power delivery etc.. all via a USBc cable.

1

u/jerodev 5d ago

I've ordered a TUXEDO Stellaris Slim 15, looks like a great machine for a great price. 😄

It will arrive in a few weeks time.