Thursday, 28 September 2023

Linux Laptop 2023 as a present

My eldest has been using Linux on a 2012 macbook pro with 16GB and an SSD where the optical drive used to be, something she did herself whilst at school, so for her twenty first birthday I wanted to give her a new Linux laptop which she could be proud of and which also had my stamp on it.

I like Linux, OpenSource and plucky engineering, she likes sustainability and being able to run python simulations.

The problem with the macBook is that it feels like the wifi card is beginning to fail, the screen is cracked and it is heavy by today's expectations.

Canvassing the opinion of the remnants of the Oxford Linux Users Group and googling gave me the following candidates.

Candidates

XPS 13 Plus Laptop

https://www.dell.com/en-uk/shop/cty/pdp/spd/xps-13-9320-laptop/

A phenominal choice of screens, but a maximum of 32mb memory. A three year old Dell laptop would be "pocket money prices", as will this be in three years. Work will give you a Dell. Not a twenty first birthday present.

System76 Pangolin

https://system76.com/laptops/pangolin

Not sure about the logo. Does not seem to believe the UK exists. 64GB not available. Shipping costs are high.

Framework Laptop 13

https://frame.work/gb/en/products/laptop-diy-13-gen-amd

Runner up. Nice idea but I am not convinced anyone wants this in a laptop.

Starlabs Starbook

https://starlabs.systems/products/starbook

Blue Cables; 64gb ram; pre-installed Ubuntu; British startup.

Winner


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