this post was submitted on 21 Aug 2023
542 points (95.5% liked)

Linux

48317 readers
749 users here now

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

Rules

Related Communities

Community icon by Alpár-Etele Méder, licensed under CC BY 3.0

founded 5 years ago
MODERATORS
 

I've noticed in the Linux community whenever someone asks for a recommendation on a laptop that runs Linux the answer is always "Get a Thinkpad" yet Lenovo doesn't seem to be a big Linux contributor or ally. There's also at least six Linux/FOSS-oriented computer manufacturers now:

So what gives? Why the love for a primarily Windows-oriented laptop when there are better alternatives?

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] temptest@hexbear.net 13 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I, for one, haven't had to look at laptop manufacturers for nearly a decade because my Thinkpad is still running Linux without a problem.

Aside from political reasons (which are valid!), what makes those manufacturers worth choosing over a Thinkpad?

[–] lukas@lemmy.haigner.me 2 points 1 year ago (3 children)

Fingerprint reader support. Every fingerprint reader I owned didn't work on Linux. Every laptop I owned with a fingerprint reader never worked on Linux. It's almost a law of the universe: If it's not made for Linux people, the fingerprint reader won't work on Linux.

[–] beeng@discuss.tchncs.de 3 points 1 year ago

Thinkpad T480s fingerprint reader working here...

[–] ChronosWing@lemmy.zip 2 points 1 year ago

Works fine on my P52s. Required installing the drivers but no issues after that.

[–] signofzeta@lemmygrad.ml 1 points 1 year ago

Good point. It was quite the adventure trying to find drivers for my T470’s fingerprint reader. It’s been working great ever since, but it was a long road.