Why do people still recommend Thinkpads for Linux when there are Linux-oriented manufacturers now?

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?

erasebegin,

Thinkpads tend to have excellent build quality, solid firmware and well thought out design. Price to performance on second-hand models is always outstanding and their popularity ensures hardware compatibility with Linux.

Of the brands you named, I just don’t trust the hardware. Tuxedo computers for example uses Tongfang white-label computers that they just slap their logo on. Quality control isn’t as thorough as Lenovo’s, firmware is sketchy, TDP tends to be all over the place and keyboard quality doesn’t come close.

Thinkpads also have-- and I can’t stress the importance of this enough-- a nipple. I don’t really use it, but if you try to take it away from me I’ll bite you.

dudewitbow,

Cause thinkpads are cheap and easy to come by

Source: i work in ewaste

throws_lemy,
@throws_lemy@lemmy.nz avatar

Those linux laptops are too expensive and they are not available in some countries

Used thinkpad is much cheaper

silvercove,

Lenovo makes great computers. They have amazing price-to-performance ratios.

BCsven,

The only reason I wouldn’t buy Lenovo is they were caught twice shipping laptops with spyware, and on my NAS their upgrade firmware contained google ad banners. While this will not affect a linux reinstall it just shows they are a shit company

silvercove,

American producers are shipping NSA spyware as well. If this is a concern (which it should be), best thing is to install Linux on it yourself.

BitSound,

What do you mean by NSA spyware? Anything that I can think of along those lines isn’t really the same thing as what Lenovo did.

CorrodedCranium,
@CorrodedCranium@leminal.space avatar

It comes down to price. You can buy used ThinkPads and replacement parts for them quite cheap a lot of the time.

It’s been a while since I’ve looked at devices from places like System 76 but if I recall correctly they are still over a thousand dollars when a used ThinkPad T440P for example can be found for around two hundred dollars.

canis_majoris,
@canis_majoris@lemmy.ca avatar

Framework laptops are interesting and I hope eventually the modularity allows the components to go down in price. Right now I was looking at a 16 (which all sold out within 3 hours of pre-order launch) but it comes out to easily over 3k CAD for a disassembled kit, skimping on RAM and an SSD.

AlmightySnoo,
@AlmightySnoo@lemmy.world avatar

yoo I didn’t know about used/refurbished Thinkpads being that cheap, I just checked and indeed you can find a T480 with 16GB of RAM for $248 on Amazon!

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