Hey lemmings!
I’m looking to get a new laptop in the near future but I keep getting lost in the details of what is good versus what I’d need.
I’m not really a gamer and already have a console for most games, but would like something that can at least run something like league of legends.
I also would be doing some light video editing but even so I don’t think I’d need some top of the line cutting edge option.
So I thought I’d ask Lemmy for their thoughts on what’s a good general purpose/workish laptop in 2023!
My next laptop will be a framework. They offer parts and manuals and it is built to be fixed and upgraded instead of thrown away like almost everything else now. https://frame.work/
I was going to say this. I don’t really need a new laptop but might get one when they release their gaming laptop and give my current one to my brother or something.
A nice idea I just wish there were more manufacturers taking this path. I’d be too worried about the company going bump and leaving me with what amounts to any other laptop
Same, I like the idea that I can just upgrade the Mobo+CPU for a cheaper upgrade, then can still use the old mobo+CPU as its own PC.
Same! I’ll definitely get a framework in the future
I like the idea in general with framework. But I don’t even upgrade my desktop gaming pc that I built anymore. I feel like we’re past the days when there would be an amazing rate of progress leaving everything you have completely obsolete after a few years. I’ve had a Ryzen 5 3600 build running since the week they came out and I have no desire to upgrade any piece of it. I finally just in the last 2 months traded up from a 2012 MBP to a 2017 MBP (I found used on ebay) and I don’t feel like there’s anything I’m missing out on. You get such longevity out of devices these days that I just don’t personally see the appeal of a thicker clunkier laptop that looks kind of cheap but offers upgradability. Buy something, use it for 5-7 years then sell it on ebay and buy something newer-ish.
You are the first person I’ve ever heard of that referred to the framework as thicker and clunkier. That’s good for you that you buy used and have had your desktop PC running with the same processor for 4 years but also that’s upgradable. You don’t need to get a new case or power supply to upgrade components. It’s not just about upgradability but reparability in case something breaks or you break something. Even supporting second hand market a macbook only has so much life. The hardware can go EoL and no longer get software updates but your screen and keyboard still work fine. Would be great to just upgrade your chipset instead of the whole laptop because the processor is so old that companies don’t want to support it anymore.
To each their own. When I look at that thick plastic screen bezel with those plasticky privacy switches it looks pretty cheap. And those seams on the sides where the module/dongles plug in. For me it’s not aesthetically pleasing and is bigger than needed to accommodate the modules and screen. I’m glad there is something to serve this niche and if it’s something that you’re looking for then that’s cool.
I agree on the repairability. Manufacturers would be wise to do better at that. But it looks like the EU might force their hand anyway.
Yeah, the Framework looks a lot like my work-supplied Dell Latitude laptop.
Which, the Latitude is a business-focused laptop designed to have a lot of parts be serviceable by IT departments, so it’s probably not a bad comparison. But I wouldn’t call it sleek compared to an ultrabook or a macbook.
For me, a big draw for framework was how easy it is to replace the battery. I agree with what you’re saying - it seems like the only thing that goes “out of date” with computers for me is a laptop battery these days, so knowing I can easily swap that out without resorting to shady third party cells is great.
I love my framework, bought a 11th gen intel and upgraded to 13th gen last week in 30 mins
I’ll definitely be getting a Framework soon. Every laptop I’ve had in the past has eventually failed for some reason or another, but having one I can upgrade and repair should mean it’s the last laptop I ever buy.
Ironically for a Laptop I would rather look for something that feels good in your hands and has a good design and build quality.
Focussing on performance is not ideal for laptops, because you could end up with a loud, overheating thing with a wobbly screen and mushy keyboard. Just check that it has an SSD and >8GB of RAM and you should be good.
I’d also like to add a robust charging port, it’s going to be the most used part of your laptop after the power button.
Totally agree. That’s what I tell any friend who asks me for buying advice. Go to the store, and see what you like, built quality and feature wise. Think about how many USB ports you need, what gimmicks you like, screen that you can fold over, or turn around and such things. Feel how heavy it is, how big the screen is compared to the overall size and how you like the keyboard.
Then go on the internet and get that base model with the best internals you are willing to pay for.
Exactly. Gaming laptops are terrible, I hate them
Used Thinkpads are usually the best choice. Very reliable and not expensive.
I love my used t470s.
A few months ago I bought a second hand Thinkbook G2, 1 year old, for €450. It feel really solid, fast, has decent battery life and the igpu isn’t bad for older games or on low settings. It also has Thunderbolt, so you can connect an external GPU (in something like a razer core x) for more power.
ThinkPads are the best, thinkbooks are also aimed at professionals but are made out of aluminium rather than lightweight materials. So still tough, just a bit heavier.
For work I have a Dell Latitude. It feels just as solid and is a bit lighter.
Is that still the case though? I have one from work and it’s none of the above. It is also slow af. (Thinkpad L15, avoid the whole L lineup if you can)
Could you provide the specs of that machine?
My 8th Gen X1 Carbon is the best laptop I’ve ever had. The keyboard feel is incredible
Apple, honestly. I’m a windows and Linux guy primarily, but nobody makes a laptop that feels as premium, has incredibly battery life, and holds up over time as Apple.
After 20 years of shitty windows laptops (which I would inevitably put Linux on for better performance as the hardware degraded), we bought my wife an m1 MacBook air right when they first came out. Three years later and it’s still at 98% battery health, the keyboard and trackpad still feel great, and it performs as well as the day we bought it. I don’t play league so I can’t vouch for how it specifically runs but there are articles out there saying it’s possible
Yeah I’ve never owned an apple desktop and probably never will, but I fucking love MacBook
And honestly the new apple processors make them a really good value for the price point, which isn’t something you used to be able to say about them
If you are a fellow Linux user, make sure you don’t get Nvidia, and i believe Dell and Lenovo have good compatibility and support Linux, but check that out in any case.
nvidia works fine in Linux, haven’t encountered any big problems ever in laptops. Just make sure that this is a discrete adaptor which will be used only for gaming or rendering (VAAPI, CUDA, etc.).
Yes, as main video adaptor nVidia isn’t that great.
As both. Arch user and a Nvidia fanboy This advice is barely valid just watch your Nvidia driver updates. I don’t let mine go until after reports are out on how it works
Bang for the buck, Macs. Solid builds, last forever. I had a 2013 Air that I finally replaced this year with an M1. No PC I have ever had ever stuck around that long.
Second this. I threw Linux Mint on a 2012 Macbook Pro and have been happy with it. Had to install wifi drivers, but it was the last model with ethernet, so it wasn’t a big deal.
I get mine off of woot.
Keep in mind new Macbooks have proprietary silicon so you can’t easily install Linux on it yet. There’s a group working on Asahi Linux to bring Linux to Apple silicon, but they have to reverse engineering Apple’s whole architecture to get there. There’s a functional alpha after 3 years of work, but functionality still isn’t there (no brightness control, bluetooth, etc).
My 2015 MacBook pro is starting to slow down significantly. I’m heartbroken. I think I upgraded the OS one too many times. Poor dual core CPU is barely hanging on.
I have a Xps 13 from 2015. Still running well. I just need to replace the battery. The secret is the OS. I use linux, mac has a very similar OS. Laptops with a good OS can easily last a decade (with the exception of battery). I still have an hp from 2006, that I intensively used for work until 2013 with linux, that is still working. I had to change it because the wifi wasn’t working, otherwise it is still fine.
Meanwhile my current hp work laptop, valued over 2500 $, with windows on it, was already broken after less than 6 months. It is a completely shitshow. Unfortunately my current company doesn’t support any better OS.
I agree with you, in general, on all points, but I also think that build quality matters, and I have yet to find a manufactured PC that isn’t a race to the bottom for the cheapest parts (and I own a high-end name-brand customized PC for specifically for gaming). But, for my day to day, work and general purpose machine, it’s Macs and will be for the foreseeable future.
This may be an unpopular opinion around here: but the MacBook Air M2 is a phenomenal laptop if you don’t rely on windows only applications.
Can’t really go wrong with a Thinkpad. Well, not sure of the situation right now, since my most recent machine is a t450.
Avoid the L series thinkpads.
You could consider getting a second hand laptop with a dedicated gpu, something with a 1050-1060 series or amd equivalent.
You won’t ever find yourself struggling with light/medium gaming or even editing.
The only thing to keep in mind when buying used laptops is making sure the battery life is decent. Try asking the seller to send you this https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/how-to-check-your-laptops-battery-health-in-windows-10
Pretty good suggestions already, can’t go wrong with a decent Acer, Asus, Thinkpad or MacBook…get 16gb ram and 500gb-1tb storage video cards are a plus. I with in IT and graphic design/video editing, my main workhorse ATM is an Acer Tuf book. Sleek and has decent specs. There’s price points from $700-$1500 depending on what year model and video card upgrades.
Previously I had the Acer VN black edition, got it in 2015 new, barely started giving me issues this year and I got the Asus when it was on sale.
If you’re on a budget, you can get pre-owned dell latitudes with 6th gen processors for like $150 and below … If you’re tech savvy you can upgrade ram and storage for like $70. I buy and flip these babies and use one personally. I have a 4th gen i5 del Latitude that I carry for my IT work. Runs league fine.
What about good laptops for Linux?
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The answer is one of the good model Thinkpads. X series, T series or P series. Expect to spend maybe 2,200 USD new with tax and a recommended 3 year premier warranty. This is kind of the median, you could go lower or much higher depending on specifics and sales.
Also consider used. If you can buy and install Window 10 or a Linux yourself you don’t need a brand new laptop. You might get away with spending like 800 on a solid 3 years old one and still get years out of it. 2019 business models and newer should also support Win 11 too so you could get 5 years if you’re not super demanding and don’t physically break it. You probably want to grab a new battery though, which are widely available and instructions in pdf are on the net for replacement. Usually reqire undoing a few screws.
If you’re looking for a Windows Laptop, I’ve been using a Lenovo V series for a few years and it’s been fantastic. Very solid construction similar to a Macbook. The ThinkBook’s look pretty good too.
Check out the Lenovo V15 Business Laptops.
For the price, you can’t beat the m1/2 apple laptops.
You know if you have windows software that can’t be emulated.
An old thinkpad or dell is the other option, but you might need to look up what specific models/skus got discrete video.
