I am looking to do a hobby project that calls for Linux with at least the CPU power of a Pi 3, but can still be comfortably carried in a pocket, with enough battery life to be at least on standby most of a day. I don't require a screen.

Most phones, even really basic ones, exceed this spec and yet I am having a tough time finding a suitable open source platform.

The Pi Zero doesn't have enough horsepower for the job. I plan to use Vosk for voice recognition.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

I have a keyboard with some keys numbered 1,2,3,4,5 that give me no keycodes. The device as given by lsusb is

Bus 003 Device 013: ID 045e:07b2 Microsoft Corp. 2.4GHz Transceiver v8.0 used by mouse Wireless Desktop 900

Running evtest

/dev/input/event2:Microsoft Microsoft® 2.4GHz Transceiver v7.0 
/dev/input/event3:Microsoft Microsoft® 2.4GHz Transceiver v7.0 Mouse 
/dev/input/event4:Microsoft Microsoft® 2.4GHz Transceiver v7.0 Consumer Control
/dev/input/event5:Microsoft Microsoft® 2.4GHz Transceiver v7.0 Consumer Control 
/dev/input/event6:Microsoft Microsoft® 2.4GHz Transceiver v7.0 System Control

The event5 gives something strange

Event code 584 (?)
Event code 585 (?)
Event code 586 (?)
Event code 587 (?)
Event code 588 (?)
Event code 589 (?)

And pressing the keys gives back nothing. So i use

sudo input-kbd 5

/dev/input/event5 (also 6)
   bustype : BUS_USB
   vendor  : 0x45e
   product : 0x7b2
   version : 273
   name    : "Microsoft Microsoft® 2.4GHz Tra"
   phys    : "usb-0000:09:00.3-2.2.2/input2"              #  sudo cat /sys/class/input/input5/phys
   uniq    : ""
   bits ev : (null) (null) (null) (null) (null) (null)
map: 1290 keys, size: 2096/2112

And I get something to work with. So I create /etc/udev/hwdb.d/61-keyboard-local.hwdb with

# Microsoft Wireless Keyboard 3050`

evdev:name:Microsoft Microsoft® 2.4GHz Transceiver v7.0 Consumer Control:phys:usb-0000:09:00.3-2.2.2/input2:*
# evdev:input:b0003g0001v0000045E
 KEYBOARD_KEY_c029d=prog1
 KEYBOARD_KEY_c00d9=prog2
 KEYBOARD_KEY_c00d8=f15
 KEYBOARD_KEY_c0076=f16
 KEYBOARD_KEY_c0077=f17
 KEYBOARD_KEY_c0078=f18

I use a small script to get the descriptor

event="$1"
modalias="$(cat "/sys/class/input/input${event}/device/modalias")"
phys="$(cat "/sys/class/input/input${event}/phys")"
input_device_name="$(cat "/sys/class/input/input${event}/name")"
input_device_name="Microsoft Microsoft® 2.4GHz Tra"
ev="$(cat "/sys/class/input/input${event}/capabilities/ev")"
vendor="????"

echo "#For event /dev/input/event${event}"
echo "# evdev:input:${modalias}"
echo "evdev:name:${input_device_name}:phys:${phys}:ev:${ev}:dmi:bvn*:bvr*:bd*:svn${vendor}:pn*"

The rule seems to work, but with a small issue. The evtest no longer report missing keys. They just disappear. I try to unplug the keyboard, but same result. I shutdown the system, still the keys just disappear. The keys are working if i read the hidev1 directly. Also tested under Wayland (Cosmic)

Any ideas?

I've been looking into the powerdraw of my Framework Laptop 13 with an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H. This processor has 3 types of cores: Performance (P), Efficiency (E) and Low-Power Efficient (LPE). The LPE cores have been advertised as a way to save battery live on idle and background tasks, e.g. the background CPU usage of a browser. But Linux does not seem to distinguish between LPE and E cores on Meteor Lake.

sysfs

A reliable way to tell apart P and E cores on Intel machines was checking the /sys/devices/cpu_atom/cpus and /sys/devices/cpu_core/cpus files. The cpu range listed under cpu_core would identify the P cores, cpu_atom the E cores. But LPE cores are included in the range of cpu_atom. These files identify Performance Monitoring Units (PMUs), so maybe it's just perf that can't distinguish between E and LPE cores.

source code

I've been looking at the Linux source code, especially around the PMU setup since that's the only place where I've found mentions of P and E cores. The intel_pmu_init function in arch/x86/events/intel/core.c is somewhat interesting here. The setup logic for ARROWLAKE_H introduces a new kind of PMU for LPE cores which are exposed in /sys/devices/cpu_lowpower/cpus. The code refers to these cores as "tiny" cores.

	case INTEL_METEORLAKE:
	case INTEL_METEORLAKE_L:
	case INTEL_ARROWLAKE_U:
		intel_pmu_init_hybrid(hybrid_big_small);

	case INTEL_ARROWLAKE_H:
		intel_pmu_init_hybrid(hybrid_big_small_tiny);

• intel_pmu_init: https://elixir.bootlin.com/linux/v6.13/source/arch/x86/events/intel/core.c#L6445
• for Meteor Lake: https://elixir.bootlin.com/linux/v6.13/source/arch/x86/events/intel/core.c#L7146-L7174
• for Arrowlake H: https://elixir.bootlin.com/linux/v6.13/source/arch/x86/events/intel/core.c#L7146-L7174

intel_lpmd

The only other project that seems to be aware and make use of the LPE cores on Linux seems to be the immature intel_lpmd daemon. This daemon is capable of switching to a low power mode that disables all but the E or LPE cores depending on the system load to decrease the idle power draw.

• https://github.com/intel/intel-lpmd

Is there anything that I'm missing here? Is the mainline Linux default scheduler really not aware of these LPE cores yet?

I'm looking at three different boards for a workstation/gaming build. ASRock X870 Pro RS WiFi, MSI PRO X870-P WIFI, and Asus Prime X870-P Wifi. Those are links to the manuals. From my research, I should be fine with the chips in these, at least the network chips.

I'm curious to hear about any other driver issues that people have had with those vendors, or if they think one of them does better on Linux support. Will I be able to get hardware monitoring going on all of them, for temperatures? Software fan control, or just BIOS? Firmware upgrades with fwupd? I expect to run the latest released kernel.

I picked those boards because they have USB4, at least one spare PCIe 4.0 x1 lane for a possible 10Gbe card in the future, have BIOS Flashback, and seem otherwise sufficient.

I have a USB issue that is mysterious but highly reproducible. My PC case has USB 3.0 ports at the front panel, connected to my motherboard. I have a monitor with a built-in KVM connected at the rear. I also have bluetooth headphones connected. Whenever I plug a device into either the front panel or the monitor:

• The device does not work
• Headphone audio stops, but the headphones stay connected
• Any subsequent device I plug in doesn't work

Devices that cause this "kill connection" include:

• Keyboard
• Dongle for wireless mouse
• Xbox controller
• Earbuds case, strangely. However, it does not cause the issue if it's connected with a power-only cable or usb condom.

If I leave the device plugged in, after a minute or two the headphone audio resumes, and any additional devices start working. The "kill" device still won't work after any amount of time, as far as I can tell.

If I make a kill connection and then disconnect it, the headphone audio resumes after 0-17 seconds, with the most common duration being 14 sec.

The rear I/O ports [1] do not cause the glitch. And, if I have a working device connected at the rear, then make a kill connection, the first device continues to work. However, like I mentioned above, if I make a kill connection first and then connect a device at the rear, the second device does not start working right away.

[1] These are USB 2.0, 3.2 Gen 1 5Gbps, and 3.2 Gen 2 10Gbps.

Devices plugged into the monitor KVM cause the glitch regardless of which port the monitor is connected to the PC.

I observed the glitch with no devices connected other than the "kill" one, with all RGB lights turned off.

Rebooting makes the issue go away, and I can't bring it back on command. It seems to come back randomly after a few days or weeks.

Command output

The state of my system with no usb devices plugged in. This is all stuff built into or attached to my motherboard:

$ sleep 2; lsusb -tv
/:  Bus 02.Port 1: Dev 1, Class=root_hub, Driver=xhci_hcd/10p, 20000M/x2
    ID 1d6b:0003 Linux Foundation 3.0 root hub
    |__ Port 10: Dev 3, If 0, Class=Hub, Driver=hub/4p, 5000M
        ID 174c:3074 ASMedia Technology Inc. ASM1074 SuperSpeed hub
/:  Bus 01.Port 1: Dev 1, Class=root_hub, Driver=xhci_hcd/16p, 480M
    ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
    |__ Port 9: Dev 4, If 0, Class=Human Interface Device, Driver=usbhid, 12M
        ID 1462:7d43 Micro Star International 
    |__ Port 10: Dev 6, If 0, Class=Hub, Driver=hub/4p, 480M
        ID 174c:2074 ASMedia Technology Inc. ASM1074 High-Speed hub
    |__ Port 11: Dev 8, If 0, Class=Hub, Driver=hub/4p, 480M
        ID 05e3:0608 Genesys Logic, Inc. Hub
    |__ Port 14: Dev 9, If 0, Class=Wireless, Driver=btusb, 12M
        ID 8087:0026 Intel Corp. AX201 Bluetooth
    |__ Port 14: Dev 9, If 1, Class=Wireless, Driver=btusb, 12M
        ID 8087:0026 Intel Corp. AX201 Bluetooth

Testing a kill connection, using the xbox controller in this example:

$ sudo dmesg -WH

    Plug into good port (rear)

[Jan30 23:58] usb 1-5: new full-speed USB device number 91 using xhci_hcd
[  +0.149470] usb 1-5: New USB device found, idVendor=045e, idProduct=02d1, bcdDevice= 1.01
[  +0.000024] usb 1-5: New USB device strings: Mfr=1, Product=2, SerialNumber=3
[  +0.000011] usb 1-5: Product: Controller
[  +0.000008] usb 1-5: Manufacturer: Microsoft
[  +0.000008] usb 1-5: SerialNumber: 7EED831E653F
[  +0.002846] input: Microsoft X-Box One pad as /devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:14.0/usb1/1-5/1-5:1.0/input/input128

    Unplug from good port

[  +2.533890] usb 1-5: USB disconnect, device number 91

    Plug into kill port (front panel), music stops

[ +18.149487] usb 1-10.2: new full-speed USB device number 92 using xhci_hcd
[  +7.279945] Bluetooth: hci0: command 0x0804 tx timeout
[  +0.000020] Bluetooth: hci0: No way to reset. Ignoring and continuing
[  +8.163863] usb 1-10.2: device descriptor read/64, error -110
[  +7.323890] Bluetooth: hci0: command 0x0804 tx timeout
[  +0.000026] Bluetooth: hci0: No way to reset. Ignoring and continuing
[Jan30 23:59] usb 1-10.2: device descriptor read/64, error -110
[  +0.203991] usb 1-10.2: new full-speed USB device number 93 using xhci_hcd
[  +7.151887] Bluetooth: hci0: command 0x0804 tx timeout
[  +0.000026] Bluetooth: hci0: No way to reset. Ignoring and continuing
[  +8.263920] usb 1-10.2: device descriptor read/64, error -110
[  +2.455901] Bluetooth: hci0: command 0x0804 tx timeout
[  +0.000022] Bluetooth: hci0: No way to reset. Ignoring and continuing
[ +13.155864] usb 1-10.2: device descriptor read/64, error -110
[  +0.108154] usb 1-10-port2: attempt power cycle

    Music resumes

[  +0.627789] usb 1-10.2: new full-speed USB device number 94 using xhci_hcd
[  +5.051960] xhci_hcd 0000:00:14.0: Timeout while waiting for setup device command
[  +5.375929] xhci_hcd 0000:00:14.0: Timeout while waiting for setup device command
[  +0.207972] usb 1-10.2: device not accepting address 94, error -62
[  +0.095998] usb 1-10.2: new full-speed USB device number 95 using xhci_hcd
[  +5.071963] xhci_hcd 0000:00:14.0: Timeout while waiting for setup device command
[  +5.375948] xhci_hcd 0000:00:14.0: Timeout while waiting for setup device command
[  +0.211964] usb 1-10.2: device not accepting address 95, error -62
[  +0.000313] usb 1-10-port2: unable to enumerate USB device

    Waited for another minute but nothing else happened

Testing connecting a second device, and also the fact the lsusb is hanging:

$ sudo dmesg -WH

    Plug earbuds into kill port (front panel), music stops

[Jan31 00:15] usb 1-10.2: new full-speed USB device number 109 using xhci_hcd

    Run lsusb, it hangs, leave it running

[  +7.311901] Bluetooth: hci0: command 0x0804 tx timeout
[  +0.000005] Bluetooth: hci0: No way to reset. Ignoring and continuing

    Plug xbox controller into good port (rear). No messages appear for this
    device until later.

[  +8.099900] usb 1-10.2: device descriptor read/64, error -110
[  +7.515952] Bluetooth: hci0: command 0x0804 tx timeout
[  +0.000008] Bluetooth: hci0: No way to reset. Ignoring and continuing
[Jan31 00:16] usb 1-10.2: device descriptor read/64, error -110
[  +0.235989] usb 1-5: new full-speed USB device number 110 using xhci_hcd
[  +0.153280] usb 1-5: New USB device found, idVendor=045e, idProduct=02d1, bcdDevice= 1.01
[  +0.000004] usb 1-5: New USB device strings: Mfr=1, Product=2, SerialNumber=3
[  +0.000001] usb 1-5: Product: Controller
[  +0.000001] usb 1-5: Manufacturer: Microsoft
[  +0.000000] usb 1-5: SerialNumber: 7EED831E653F
[  +0.001434] input: Microsoft X-Box One pad as /devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:14.0/usb1/1-5/1-5:1.0/input/input133 
[  +0.097277] usb 1-10.2: new full-speed USB device number 111 using xhci_hcd 

    Music resumes

[  +7.187897] Bluetooth: hci0: command 0x0804 tx timeout 
[  +0.000005] Bluetooth: hci0: No way to reset. Ignoring and continuing 
[  +8.195903] usb 1-10.2: device descriptor read/64, error -110 
[  +7.419897] Bluetooth: hci0: command 0x0804 tx timeout 
[  +0.000014] Bluetooth: hci0: No way to reset. Ignoring and continuing 
[  +8.195870] usb 1-10.2: device descriptor read/64, error -110 
[  +0.108115] usb 1-10-port2: attempt power cycle 
[  +0.619944] usb 1-10.2: new full-speed USB device number 112 using xhci_hcd 
[  +5.059869] xhci_hcd 0000:00:14.0: Timeout while waiting for setup device command 
[  +5.375917] xhci_hcd 0000:00:14.0: Timeout while waiting for setup device command 
[  +0.207980] usb 1-10.2: device not accepting address 112, error -62 
[  +0.096000] usb 1-10.2: new full-speed USB device number 113 using xhci_hcd 
[  +5.071950] xhci_hcd 0000:00:14.0: Timeout while waiting for setup device command 
[  +5.375934] xhci_hcd 0000:00:14.0: Timeout while waiting for setup device command 
[  +0.207971] usb 1-10.2: device not accepting address 113, error -62 
[  +0.000171] usb 1-10-port2: unable to enumerate USB device 

    lsusb output finally appears

Hello,

Anyone have these and can confirm it works with Linux? the old one OpenComm2 UC, are pretty much useless, so I had to use OpenComm UC, but lack of mute button is a big con.

Thanks!

Hey everyone, I've had this laptop for quite some time now and always wanted to run linux on it but when I tried long ago I've had a lot of issues ranging from minor to major.. I'm aware I could try live-disk but sometimes the system acts different when it is installed on the actual disk. So I guess my question is if someone has been using similar setup, how is the compatibility nowadays and if anyone knows a good distro that would maximise that same compatibility.

Hi everyone

I've just ordered a new a Meerkat from System Seventy Six, and will be runninng it alongside a windows machine that is being relegated to home server and local Ai stuff (hit via an api over a wireless home network).

My question is this: I use four monitors constantly. Sounds like a lot, I know, but believe me when you get used to it the setup can get pretty productive. Three screens are in portrait mode most of the time with the remainder in landscape is my center screen. Anyway, i'm wondering how best to connect both computers to the monitors. It's not a question of inputs and outputs - hooking everything up is easy enough to accomplish as there are plenty of inputs on the monitors to accommodate both computers.

But some people use docking stations, i'm just not sure why. What is the real benefit? Of course it frees up some ports on your computer, but if you have a powered 3.0 Usb hub, that's not a big deal. I've been using multi monitors for years on windows and have never understood the benefit of a docking station. Now that I'm going to need to hook up two computers to all my screens, however, i'm wondering if there might be some kind of benefit.

Thoughts or ideas or suggestions? Keen to hear some multi monitor genius ideas.

Hello, I have a question - is it possible to set up your pc so that 2 people could use it at the same time on different monitors using different mouse and keyboard? I asked chatgpt, gpt gave me few names, I checked it out and could not set up properly, because that software is not for my specific use case.

I have seen videos of people doing so with software that is licensed for one pc. Now my use case would not be on linux, because the specific software I intend to use is a CAD software which only works on the most popular os out there and it does have a usb dongle, meaning it works only on one computer, but I can open multiple windows of that software, so it would work on a different workspace (which could be used on another monitor with different mouse and keyboard), and I did found a software called Aster which should do the job, but it is a russian software, so I don't want to use it.

I'm asking here, because I'm using linux on my own personal laptop and I know for a fact that if anyone would know about this - it's the linux community lol

Hello,

I am considering getting a new laptop. I’m currently running Windows 10 on my dell laptop and absolutely do not want to move to Windows 11. I’m considering moving to Linux. I was wondering if I could get some advice on good companies to buy laptops from?

Specs:

I’m looking for a laptop somewhere between 15 inches to 15.5 inches. Not 16 but could be above 15.5 (15.6 or something).

It needs to be able to be easily attainable in the USA.

Currently I have 16 gigs RAM and it def isn’t enough. I absolutely need more than that. Prob 32 or 64.

Probably around 1T storage but 1/2T would work

Don’t want it touch screen.

Preferably pretty heavy duty bc I have a habit of dropping my laptops.

Preferably not a super indie brand… parent works in IT and gets very suspicious of brands she hasn’t heard of. Laptop would be a bday gift from said parent.

** Edit to add: my current laptop is a Latitude 7380 with 16 gigs of RAM

My old Macbook's battery died, and for the first time in my life I am feeling uneasy about both Microsoft and Apple ecosystems and the direction they are moving in, so wonder if my next laptop can be a Linux one. If so, it is going to be my first personal Linux PC in about 20 years.

My new laptop has to be 14" or smaller, have a good battery life (and ideally support battery undercharge as most of the time it's going to be plugged in as to not ruin it too quickly), and be cheaper than a Macbook Air I can buy otherwise.

Now I have read lot about how 'Linux laptop' companies overcharge, and got an impression that "just buy a Thinkpad or a Dell" is the most common reply to questions like mine. But looking at Tuxedo and Slimbook, I don't think they are, so I wonder if there is anything I am missing or those comments from a year or two ago are now obsolete.

Take this Tuxedo InfinityBook 14 for 1100 EUR (£920): 2880x1800x120Hz screen, 32Gb RAM, AMD Ryzen 7 - seems decent?

Or this Slimbook, which I believe is the same Clevo shell and hardware, the price is also the same.

Now looking at Dell UK, they start at £1200!

Essentially, my question is whether Slimbook, Tuxedo and other similar companies no longer considered expensive in comparison to large 'Windows first' brands. Would you still recommend buying a Dell or a Lenovo and installing everything myself in this situation?

Hi, everyone. I'm thinking about purchasing one of these and wondering, if anyone has any experience with system seventy six or there open source firmware. i'm not so much worried about system seventy six itself as much as I am ignorant of Coreboot. it sounds promising, but this is the first time the Coreboot system has been used on the Meerkat.

https://system76.com/desktops/meer9/configure

Please don't comment on the price or that I could get one from a standard retailer and install Linux myself. My primary purpose is to support the linux efforts, as well as to support open source firmware, as I believe it is a fundamental necessity for future computing.

Comments on mini PC's the Meerkat in particular or Coreboot etc or with system seventy six would be much welcomed and appreciated, thanks.

Hey fellow tech enthusiasts and Linux fans,
I’m selling a Dell OptiPlex 960 desktop that is perfect for Linux, retro gaming, or light workstation setups. These machines are reliable, compact, and highly customizable. Here are the specs:

• Processor: Intel Core2 Duo E8500 3.16 GHz
• RAM: 4GB DDR2
• OS: Currently running [Windows 7/10*], but these are Linux-friendly and tested with Ubuntu and Fedora.
• Ports: USB 2.0, VGA, DisplayPort, and legacy ports for compatibility with older peripherals.

Why This Desktop?

• Great for learning Linux, setting up a home lab, or tinkering with retro operating systems.
• Compact and energy-efficient for small workspaces or DIY projects.
• Tested and fully functional – this desktop boots smoothly and has been cleaned using a 7-pass wipe, ready to go out of the box!

Pricing:
I’m asking $60 for the desktop or best / offer. Shipping isn’t included, but I’m happy to provide shipping estimates based on your location. If you’re local (Central Minnesota), I can arrange for pickup to save costs.

Bonus:
If you’re interested, I can pre-install your preferred Linux distro (e.g., Ubuntu, Fedora, Mint) or upgrade the hardware (e.g., SSD or RAM) for a small additional cost. Just let me know!

Feel free to message me if you have any questions or want more details.

OptiPlex 960

Specs from BIOS

https://preview.redd.it/49o1mq8njufe1.jpg?width=1512&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d270569bc735727ec33d89df1bf99613e1b58f26

https://preview.redd.it/2fs09cjojufe1.jpg?width=1512&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3d05f4f8b3f905c3ecfc8c7271358d1fd902417d

I found this USB tab in a drawer. I believe it's a Bluetooth interface for my first raspberry pi. But I no longer have the raspberry pi, so I have no way to test what it is.

I imagine there is a terminal command that will list everything plugged into my USB ports. But I don't know it. Any suggestions?

I have a Acer Chromebook c720 series with 2gb of ram

Specs : Intel Celeron 1.4ghz 16gh SSD (might upgrade) 2gb ddr3l SD ram Interegrated Intel graphics

What I've been looking at so far -fedora -xubuntu -Ubuntu -zorin.

What would run best on this little machine? Fairly a beginner

Specifically one that runs AMD CPUs. I'm looking to build a desktop, but I'm torn on the motherboard. I plan on installing a Ryzen 9 7950X 16-Core CPU. However, I use Linux, and I've read mixed reviews on its compatibility. I currently use Fedora Workstation, but I plan on installing Arch on this new system. Can anyone attest to this motherboard's reliability, or should I look elsewhere?

Anyone know if linux should work on a legion tower 5 gen 8 amd cpu and gpu ive used linux before on a different pc never on this one

System Model 90UX0014US

through luck and circumstance, I've found myself in possession of an extra internal ssd,

I want to set this up in such a way that the Linux install (on drive 1) and the windows install (on drive 0) can both read, write, and whatever else the files on this drive.

i think this SHOULD be possible as I know mutually readable formats exist, but I don't know if these are suitable for internal drive use.

I'm interested in buying a laptop with good battery life for everyday tasks and a decent iGPU and low fan noise for light gaming on battery, and I'm considering the Acer Swift Go with the 155H and the Ideapad Slim 5 with the 8845HS.

For anyone who has used one or both of these processors (or the 7840hs), how is the Linux compatibility and battery life? I'm current using an AMD Ryzen 7 5800hs, and video streaming uses a ton a battery for some reason (cuts the battery life in half to five hours), so I'm wondering if they've fixed it with the 8845HS. I'd also like to know if there are any Linux gaming performance or compatibility issues with the Arc iGPU in the 155H, as well as if any features like hardware acceleration are missing. I use X11 so Wayland compatibility isn't an issue for me, and I'm on Arch so I always have up-to-date drivers and kernel.

I have a Dell XPS 13 (9350) with Intel Lunar Lake 258V, I am currently using Fedora Silverblue 41 with Linux kernel 6.12.10, all the issues with Bluetooth, Display, Sound, Suspend and Power Savings have been resolved over the multiple iterations of 6.12.x, unfortunately I still can't use the Webcam (no /dev/video* devices) and the Microphone is recognized but the input volume is extremely low, in practical terms unusable, any feedback will be appreciated, thanks

Hello everyone,

I am looking for a laptop that works well with linux and has good battery life. It will be used for basic office work, web browsing and the occasional movie. I want to be able to connect it to up to 2 4k monitors without stuttering, for the same workload. I don't mind shopping the used market or replacing parts myself (not modding in usb-c ports though), but mostly i find laptops from 2011-2015 (older thinkpads mostly) that don't have usb4/tb or the battery life i am looking for.

Specifically looking for the following:

• New or used
• Linux compatible (debian/arch)
  • all parts work (incl. things like fingerprint scanner)
  • or all parts can be made to work (e.g. swapping out a wifi card or component)
• Good baterry life (10H+ movie playback is a decent benchmark) with good standby times if possible.
• affordable - budget <700 eur. lower is better.
• usb-c charging and usb4 or thunderbolt port with dp alt mode for 2 4k screens
• between 14-16 inch

I'm specifically compromising on performance, design, screen quality/refresh rate. Those i don't care about.

is this realistic? Any ideas what to look for on the used market?

I could not find this information before buying, so informing everyone for the future. The Sennheiser Profile USB microphone works perfectly fine with Linux.

Audio input works fine in Fedora 39, but audio output was not working. I didn't try troubleshooting because I was about to upgrade to Fedora 41 anyway. Once upgraded, there was no problem. Mute, mic gain, headphone volume, relative volume of mic vs headphones: all knobs work fine.

Has anyone been able to use Linux on this machine here recently since the last kernel update? I just bought one off of e-Bay and hoping I can get CachyOS or something similar to work on it for my job with development. Sound and GPU is a requirement in a Linux environment.

https://preview.redd.it/8vxqn3fvbafe1.png?width=945&format=png&auto=webp&s=55d40a1e6764f4b7a662270e9199fababbfc71e0

I have tried and failed to install Linux on my new laptop, I am using this for work and really don't want to use Windows 11 (which is more or less the version of Windows that turned me against it, but that is another discussion).

I have been running Kubuntu on my previous 7 y/o laptop and really like it, but I am willing to try anything else that might work. You could probably count me as a beginner / intermediate.

Distros tried:
Kubuntu (22.04.5, 24.04.1, 24.04, 24.10)
Ubuntu (22.04.3, 22.04.1)
Pop OS (22.04)
Fedora (41, 42 build 250113)

Most have been unable to even get to the installer.
I got it installed on one version of ubuntu, but it doesn't boot.

Is there anyone that have experience with any Lunar Lake Lenovos and have ran into (and solved?) any issues with installation? Any suggestions are welcome!

When I look at this compability page I don't get a lot of hope, but I should at least be able to install even if some thing aren't supported:
https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Lenovo_Yoga_Slim_7i_Aura_(15ILL9)

Wifi driver have been added
https://community.intel.com/t5/Wireless/Missing-firmware-for-Intel-R-Wi-Fi-7-BE201/m-p/1644457

Hi all,

A couple of months ago I received a new Dell XPS 16 laptop (9640) from my company. It's a beautiful piece, however I hate it with all my heart, and after being unable to get used to it for a few months, I'd like to buy something else entirely. (I hate the flat keyboard with so little key travel, the "invisible" trackpad, the "touch" F-keys, having only USB-C ports... So many bad design decisions in one package!)

My needs are:

• 16-inch screen -- a must. My vision is not great and screen size is important to me.
• Since I take the laptop virtually everywhere, size and weight are a key factor. The 2.2kg Dell XPS 16 is too heavy for my taste.
• Excellent keyboard, my flow is almost entirely keyboard-centric.
• Capable of providing a good experience on Manjaro Linux.
• My main use case: multiple mixed dev environments, with many Docker containers, and often needing to run builds on the machine.
• No need for anything fancy re graphics. I don't need a 4k screen on the laptop. But it needs to be able to power two external 4K monitors at 60fps.
• Price is not a factor at all. I'm looking for the best match for the requirements above.

I am seriously considering the System76 Pangolin, which at 1.63kg seems to provide everything I need. I was wondering:

• Are there any "gotcha" I might be missing about this laptop? e.g. I can't find any reviews that focus on its keyboard or a mention of its key travel.
• Are there any other 16" laptops I should be considering, that might be even lighter than this, while providing reasonable performance for my case? I thought about adding ThinkPad T16 to the comparison which is even slightly lighter, but its dimensions are noticably bigger.

Thanks in advance for any insights!

Was redirected here from r/linux4noobs

This is a long post so the most important bits of context or questions will be in bold.

TL;DR: I can't ditch Windows entirely due to school requirements and do not want to dual-boot, so I would like to buy a new laptop to turn into a Linux-only machine. How can I find an affordable laptop that is capable of games like Stardew Valley or Osu (Lazer) that will not be difficult to find drivers for and get set up as a Linux-only machine? I'm not asking for the work to be done for me, but rather pointers for what hardware to look for or avoid.

A couple years ago, I bought an HP Probook x360 435 G7 running Windows 10 which meets my school's requirements regarding OS (Windows) and hardware (a built-in touchscreen and hinges that overextend to convert the laptop into a tablet-like mode and back). Long story short I hate Windows and don't want to fork over even more of my own personal data when I inevitably have to upgrade to Windows 11 in October, so I want to go over to Linux.

Unfortunately I can't ditch Windows entirely because my school requires me to have access to a Windows device. I have been planning on dual-booting Windows and Linux for around a year now, doing research on and off, but I have come to the conclusion that I don't want to dual-boot due to people struggling to get Linux working properly on the device I have because of driver challenges, and the risk of Windows corrupting something on its own partition being too high for my comfort. I already had enough trouble getting this laptop to work the way it should on Windows. Therefore I would like to buy an affordable second laptop to install only Linux on and do personal things with, and use my existing Windows laptop exclusively for my further education. I don't expect a plug-and-play experience, but I would prefer not to have to worry about using the terminal blindly because my screen isn't being recognized and turned on.

My problem is that I'm not sure how to find a laptop that will be easy to set up for a first Linux experience. I'm considering Pop!_OS and EndeavourOS as first distros, in case that's relevant. I'm confident in my ability to learn how a new operating system works, just not confident in getting Linux to run properly on niche hardware like my HP Probook. I would like this new laptop to be just powerful enough to play games like Stardew Valley and Osu (Lazer), both of which run very smoothly on my current laptop, but I don't play big, resource-intensive 3D games on a computer. Other than those sorts of games, I don't need it to be capable of much - I mostly use a computer for word processing, browsing the internet, watching videos and occasionally drawing using Krita. I already have a dedicated graphics tablet for that, so I really don't need a touchscreen.

How do I find a laptop that fits my specifications and doesn't need any niche drivers that may not have good Linux equivalents? I'm not asking for the work to be done for me, but rather pointers for what hardware to look for or avoid.

So I have a Lenovo Flex 5 touchpad laptop and I tried installing pop-os and just now debian. I am having a lot of trouble trying to make the touchpad work. The touchscreen works perfectly and also connecting an external mouse, but the touchpad is just never getting recognized. I saw posts from a couple of years ago, and I have tried all the solutions I have seen on all those posts from all of the forums. Is there something more recent that I am able to do in order to fix it? I would really want to be able to use linux on my laptop. Thank you!

Before anything, sorry if bad english. My native language is spanish, if somebody knows how to speak it please respond with it, it would help me a lot.

Good afternoon, I am looking for a good laptop I can install and use Linux Mint Cinnamon on.

For school I won't need much, Writer, Impress, Calc, Firefox, an HDMI port, AT MOST kinda light video editing but idc if it lags a bit with that last one.

For personal use, with light gaming I mean retro emulators like SNES or PS1 but nothing after N64/GBA. And maybe SuperTux.

But 8GB of memory or more, at least 240GB of storage but in SSD, and being able to remove the SSD if I need to. Can be a SATA SSD. And with an HDMI port, at least 2 USB-A ports, 3.5 jack and ethernet.

Region: Chile, RM

Budget: 500.000 CLP (around 500 USD)

Thank you!