Best products from r/linuxhardware

Sure, here's a super cheap SSD of equivalent capacity:

SanDisk SSD PLUS 240GB Internal SSD - SATA III 6 Gb/s, 2.5"/7mm - SDSSDA-240G-G26

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01F9G43WU/

If you want to get a different SSD, just make sure it's a 2.5in SATA. I like SanDisk, Samsung and Intel brand SSD's.

Here's a 4gb Stick that should be compatible (don't hold me to that, and make sure you can return it if it isn't):

Lenovo 55Y3711 RAM Module - 4 GB - DDR3 SDRAM - 1333MHz DDR3-1333/PC3-10600 - ECC - 204-pin SoDIMM

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003BC5ZBI/

That will get you up to 8GB or 6GB, depending on if it comes with 1 4gb or 2 2gb sticks. Either will be better than 4.

And here's some generic info and resources I like to give new Linux users:

The biggest change from the Windows world will be the different interfaces to choose from. While they're one of the best features of Linux, the number of choices and strong opinions on the matter can be overwhelming to new users. And everyone in the community is certain that theirs is the best. Don't stress out about picking the "right" one. You can always change it later (especially if you choose something Ubuntu based). Pick one that has a large user base, good community, and excellent documentation.

Linux comes in many different flavors, or "Distributions". Often shortened to "Distros". The most obvious difference between Distros is the interface (or "Desktop Environment" or "DE"). It's not the only thing that sets them apart, but it's the most noticeable.

I would recommend Ubuntu or any one of it's variants. The best variants (in my opinion) are Linux mint and Linux Lite. Linux Lite having the most "Windows like" interface. Linux Lite also has additional tools to install common programs that Windows users are accustomed to. Ones that don't come with other Distros by default.

Until recently Ubuntu used an interface called "Unity". As of the last couple of releases, they have switched to Gnome. However, they've made gnome look a lot like Unity, so you should be able to follow instructions you find on the internet without too much trouble.

Gnome has a ton of customizations available via the "Gnome extensions" website. If you're willing to relearn how to interact with your computer's interface, it's a good fit for someone who wants customization.

Here's a good article with the basics of getting up and running with Ubuntu.

https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/migrating-from-windows-7-to-ubuntu/

Here's Ubuntu's website for downloading and documentation:

https://www.ubuntu.com/desktop

The official "Getting starting" guide:

https://tutorials.ubuntu.com/tutorial/try-ubuntu-before-you-install#0

Here's the list of official Ubuntu Distributions:

https://www.ubuntu.com/download/flavours

Here's a great article explaining the difference between the official Ubuntu Distribution (written by an awesome Redditor Killyourfm):

"Forbes: Linux For Beginners: Understanding The Many Versions Of Ubuntu":
https://www.forbes.com/sites/jasonevangelho/2018/11/28/linux-for-beginners-understanding-the-many-versions-of-ubuntu/

Here's the official install guide:

https://tutorials.ubuntu.com/tutorial/tutorial-install-ubuntu-desktop#0

An install guide for Dual Booting:

http://linuxiumcomau.blogspot.com/2018/04/installing-ubuntu-along-side-windows-ie.html?m=1

And here's Linux Lite's official page:

https://www.linuxliteos.com

Gnome extensions:

https://extensions.gnome.org

Tangential to linux support compatibility, but if you're interested in the 4K version of the laptop, I would hold off until reviews come in. Last year's Inspiron 4K model used the RG/BW Pentile matrix to claim the 3840x2160 resolution which is often regarded to be dishonest and to mean it's not truly the resolution it advertises. RG/BW displays replace every RGB pixel with either RG or BW. They require the GPU to render in full 3840×2160 but their chromatic density is lower than that of a 2880×1620 display. They give you all the downsides of a super high resolution (potential worse battery life, potential scaling issues) without all the benefits (less detail, sharp details can appear fuzzy, diagonal screen-door effect can be present).

Potentially a great option, but I would recommend holding off, as this has significant bearing on what it means for the laptop to advertise as 4K.

EDIT: I mean hold off until reviews come in confirming if this is a real RGB 3840x2160 or another pentile display.

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EDIT: Another thing I'd like to add is that it looks like all the non-touch models are using TN 1080p displays rather than IPS 1080p displays like last year's. TN doesn't always mean poor quality, and this isn't confirmed about these displays, but most TN 1080p displays in laptops today seem to end up being those poor quality Chi-Mei brand ones.

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These all have confirmed honest true 4K displays, if you want other options, though do your research on Linux compatibility before buying:

• The XPS 15 4K:
  
• https://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/pdp/Dell-XPS-15-9550-Signature-Edition-Laptop/productID.326871600
  
• http://www.dell.com/en-us/member/shop/productdetails/xps-15-9560-laptop?view=configurations
  
• Lower CPU/RAM/SSD per price but
  
• the i5 quad vs i7 quad shouldn't make a huge difference for most games when the 960M is the bottleneck
  
• the RAM is cheap and easy to upgrade
  
• the SSD is less cheap to upgrade but still easy
  
• the 100% honest true 4K UHD 3840x2160 86% Adobe RGB gamut display is one of the best you can get today.
  
• TB3 only 20Gbps not 40Gbps, but this may be fixed in the new model, which will have a GTX 1050.
  
• You can also get one cheaper from the Dell Outlet if you don't mind a refurb.
  
• The Lenovo Y700 4K:
  
• http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA68654D3567
  
• http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA8X552D0901
  
• https://www.amazon.com/Lenovo-Y700-Notebook-Computer-i7-6700HQ/dp/B01LZNFLAK/
  
• https://www.amazon.com/Lenovo-Y700-Touch-Touchscreen-80NW002DUS/dp/B01FJFNEIA/
  
• No TB3 port but uses a 100% honest true 4K UHD 3840x2160 display. And the new Y720 will have TB3, a GTX 1060, and true 4K.
  
• The Acer V 15 Nitro 4K
  
• https://www.amazon.com/Acer-VN7-592G-788W-15-6-inch-Notebook-Windows/dp/B0161BJEDK/
  
• True 4K matte (non-touch) 86% Adobe RGB gamut display.
  
• Malibal LX650RP (Clevo) -- the only reseller I know that is still offering true 4K displays with Clevos.
  
• http://www.malibal.com/boutique/pc/configurePrd.asp?idProduct=962
  
• Pick one of the two Sharp-brand 4K displays. The Samsung is another pentile one.

Like /u/ulgreswo, I used a different card; the Xonar DG. In my case, it did work under linux alright, but I'd always have to tamper with a setting under alsamixer in the terminal to get it to output sound on any fresh install of linux. Not sure if the DGX would be any different in that regard.

Also the audio-quality wasn't really all that spectacular, as I would still get buzzing and beeps due to interference from the LAN port.

In the end, I sold it and instead replaced it with this external USB DAC (Digital to Analog Converter), which was very affordable, and put out excellent sound. This particular DAC interested me due to the well written review on the Amazon page from Jayteck, where he describes replacing the capacitors on the board for even better sound quality. I followed the instructions contained in the comments, and found that it does indeed sound quite superb when these modifications are done (though it sounded better than the Xonar DG even without the mod).

Alternatively, I've also read great things on various audio enthusiast forums about this Behringer DAC, which is also quite affordable.

Due to using USB, both of those DAC's are plug-n-play with Linux, and require absolutely no configuration to get working. The only potential downside is that they do not have microphone inputs, and only output stereo audio.

The biggest issues regarding linux compatibility is graphics cards and open source compatibility. If you get a computer with Nvida you will likely have to install the proprietary graphic driver, AMD does usually function with open source drivers but they can be a pain in the rear to tweak just right. Now we have Intel that usually works well with open source software ( I have never seen intel not be compatible with open source) but doesn't have the extreme power for high graphics used to play games like the witcher. If you don't plan to use for extreme gaming intel should work fine. A lot of people in the community use thinkpads too. I got my computer on Amazon for a great price because it was discontinued.

Something like this should do for what you described. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01L8PENQM/ref=psdcmw_13896615011_t3_B01M35U4BO
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B071KRBQ6B/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1510052744&sr=1-4&refinements=p_89%3ADell%2Cp_n_feature_four_browse-bin%3A2289792011%2Cp_n_size_browse-bin%3A7817234011&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=dell+laptop+intel+core&dpPl=1&dpID=51W7Qa-I2TL&ref=plS

Btw, I recommend starting out with Mint Linux ( os ) with xfce ( de ) or MX 16 Linux with xfce ( truly a great os for beginners) or antergos. PM me if you want help learning Linux or preparing to install. It took me 2 weeks to find the computer I wanted.

For general "work" type use I'd go with a Thinkpad X1 Carbon. It's the best tradeoff between portability and a keyboard that has enough key travel to type on.

Gaming is kind of annoying on laptops. Having a discrete GPU is a pretty big hit on portability and battery life. Intel integrated graphics are actually pretty awesome, they just don't run some modern AAA games.

On Linux especially another consideration is GPU drivers. The top performing mobile graphics is Nvidia - and that'll provide great performance out of the box on Ubuntu or PopOS - but the compatibility will die when Nvidia stops supporting your card in the blob or you try to run a distro with an out of sync kernel. If you really want full dedicated Nvidia graphics, I'd go with the System76 Gazelle - that means you have a chance at System76 mantaining a PopOS version with the older kernels and blobs you'll need in the future.

For moderate gaming I'd consider the Thinkpad A485. The AMD APU is a little beefier than Intel integrated graphics. It'll run most games nicely, and should even run many modern games at 1080p low. Make sure you get dual channel RAM, that you run a modern distro (newer than Ubuntu LTS), and that you update the firmware.

AMD did release a laptop version of the RX580. That'd be a pretty good deal, but as far as I can tell zero laptops currently have them. The couple that did were 17" models, and at that point you're better off with a desktop IMO.

Yeah, they speak standard SATA/AHCI/NVMe but they use a custom connector type. It's how they lock you into using Apple storage only (thanks Apple!)

Edit: If anyone reading is interested in upgrading their MacBook with a larger non-Apple SSD I've had really good success with these adapters and a variety of NVMe drives. Basically everything you need is in this thread, there are some caveats w.r.t. system firmware updates with a non-Apple drive so read carefully. A quick shout out to the best low cost NVMe drive I've used too. Total cost to upgrade from a 120GB Apple SATA SSD in my SO's 2015 MBP to a 480GB NVMe drive was like $115 and the drive is something absurd like 8x faster.

Wow. Yeah. This LG Gram looks great. I tried to get some info on Linux compatibility. It looks like it "works" but that really means different things to different people. Do you know if audio works? Suspend and Hibernate? Battery life under Linux? I'll probably make another post but thought I'd ask. Also, I can't seem to find for sure if the USB C is capable of charging the laptop either. Any idea?

Thank you very much. This is probably "The One".

Edit: fixed link.

The only thing I'd add to that is AMD GPU, for that sweet FOSS driver. Unfortunately, for that GPU performance bracket and AMD GPU, I've got two choices, and they are both huge 17inchers:

• Asus ROG STRIX with a Ryzen 1700 and RX580
  
• Acer Predator Helios 500 with a Ryzen 2700 and Vega 56
  
  Nowhere near 15", slim, or thin-bezel. You can get those with the Dell XPS 9575, but you give up the AMD CPU, upgradable RAM, and it falls about 35% short of the target graphics performance.
  
  ​
  
  And, considering you can get a 7700HQ/1060 laptop for $1k pretty easily these days, all three options are pretty costly for the performance.

I have no idea, you didn't ask for 4k. I searched for "celeron hd graphics 4k" and found e.g. this box with Celeron N3050, searched for "Celeron N3050" and found that it is from 2015. Maybe it doesn't work that well with Linux, but you can search for that on your own, if this box is something that you might even like. Maybe it is too small (no room for 10 harddisks), maybe it doesn't have something else that you need. Maybe you already have a great HTPC but it can't play 4k, and now a GPU might help, and you don't want to replace the whole mainboard.

Definitely Brother MFC models. Owned 3 different models, laser and inkjet. Recently brought this model:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00EANUUDK

And I'm incredibly happy with it: one pass front/rear ADF scanner, duplex printing, fax, WiFi and Ethernet. Works with non original cheap ink cartridges. deb or rpm drivers available. There's also a script which downloads and installs drivers automatically.

This model is a bit expensive because all functions are A3. If you only need A4 you can find several cheap MFC models on Amazon.

While I don't have the Kayby Lake XPS I do have the Skylake XPS 13 (9350) and the WD15 dock (https://www.amazon.com/Dell-Dock-WD15-Adapter-Type-C/dp/B01C8PHWQY) and am also running Fedora 25.

I've got a keyboard+mouse+monitor hooked up to the dock. While it works, it doesn't work perfectly. The largest issue I have is that I can't use HDMI, I have to use VGA. The only way HDMI works is if I have the dock connected when I boot Fedora 25. VGA works fine.

Before I bought the WD15 dock I was researching the problems others had with it. I found many people who said the dock simply didn't work, and potentially a firmware update would solve it. When I bought the dock I was still uncertain whether it would work with my configuration, but I was pleasantly surprised that it did work to this degree.

When I connect the dock to my already-running laptop, with a screen connected via HDMI, I can see the display in xrandr, but after enabling output to it, the screen doesn't come alive. I haven't pinned down if this is a hardware or driver issue.

Side note: I don't have a 4k monitor attached, but I do have the touchscreen/HiDPI display. This presents an issue because X doesn't handle multiple DPIs well. If you have both HiDPI displays you could probably get away with a single DPI that would work for both the internal display and external monitor. (I've gotten around this by using xrandr's scale flag

xrandr --output DP-1-3 --right-of eDP-1 --auto --scale 2x2

If you go to the "view all reviews" section, there's a search box.. type in Linux and there are plenty of reviews that mention linux. I do this with most hardware.. it's a good tool to find info about linux compatibility for products with lots of reviews.

https://www.amazon.com/Dell-Dock-WD15-Adapter-Type-C/product-reviews/B01C8PHWQY/

Quickly glancing, it seems there were issues early on, but it got better with firmware updates

Here are a couple of 16GB Dell

97,990

https://www.amazon.in/Dell-Inspiron-7373-13-3-inch-Touchscreen/dp/B076V1N1MX/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=dell+-optane&qid=1556703421&refinements=p_36%3A8000000-10000000%2Cp_n_feature_browse-bin%3A1485947031&rnid=1464448031&s=computers&sr=1-3

​

87,950

https://www.amazon.in/Dell-Inspiron-i7-15RSLV-Windows10-1920x1080/dp/B01CQPJ8C2/ref=sr_1_7?keywords=dell+-optane&qid=1556703421&refinements=p_36%3A8000000-10000000%2Cp_n_feature_browse-bin%3A1485947031&rnid=1464448031&s=computers&sr=1-7

​

I hope this is what you are looking for

I kind of wanted more ports so you do you think the WD15 Dell dock would be good?

https://www.amazon.com/Dell-Dock-WD15-Adapter-Type-C/dp/B01C8PHWQY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1502680701&sr=8-1&keywords=WD15

It looks like you're trying to format a word into a link. Try this instead:

> [This LG Gram](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N7RQ46Q/)

Result: This LG Gram

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$127.99 Intel NUC NUC5CPYH

Has VGA, HDMI, 3x USB 3.0 (wtf is that yellow port?), 2x 2.5mm Headphone Jack.

$38.79 8GB RAM for Intel NUC (it doesn't come with any RAM)

$39.99 PNY CS311 120GB (it doesn't come with any drives)

Total: $206.77

Intel Celeron N3050, the NUC's CPU. Dual Core w/o Hyperthreading, max 8GB RAM, Burst (NOT Turbo) to 2.16GHz. Has VT-x, but no VT-d. 64bit.

Disclaimer: The only mini-PC I know of is this NUC, someone else can probably find even cheaper or with better hardware than I can here.

Just go with AMD. Can't go wrong with AMD. Bang for buck.

This is my daily driver: https://www.amazon.com/Acer-Predator-PH517-61-R0GX-Processor-Graphics/dp/B07GWX5X26

I feel your pain. It's almost impossible to find a wifi adapter for 5GHz that works, and you only get the same generic answers from pretty much everyone. All of the ones suggested that work are 2.4 GHz. Unfortunately, that frequency is so cluttered now it hurts your speeds, especially if you're in a condo or townhouse. I can pick up 16 different networks from my living room. I keep hoping someone will provide a 5GHz compatible model.
This is the 2.4GHz model I use: TP-Link N150 Wireless High Gain USB Adapter (TL-WN722N), Version 2.0 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002SZEOLG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_D7oWAbDH7SG14