Recommend a laptop for programming under linux (Ubuntu).

Question

I want to buy a laptop for programming under linux and I have no idea what specific problems can appear (like "no drivers for device", "impossible to hibernate" and so on...)

What should I think of when selecting new laptop for linux?

I will run Ubuntu, C++, SBCL, ghc. This laptop is not gonna be graphics-oriented.

I've already owned Asus A9, Fujitsu-Siemens Amilo Li1718 and Samsung R40plus laptops and neither of them were good enough. All the time some problems with drivers appeared.

My requirements are:

• long battery life;
• good drivers support for linux (Ubuntu);
• price not higher than $1500 (so MacBook is not an option).

About other requirements I would be glad to accept your opinion.

P.S. I've read what-is-the-best-laptop-for-programmers, but it doesn't answer my question...

Answer 1

I used a Fujitsu Siemens Lifebook S7110 for some years and it worked fine.

Generally, I would recommend to use some model from the business line of one of the big laptop sellers. Business notebooks usually look less pretty, are more sturdy and use older (read: more linux-compatible and stable) hardware.

I would search for some decent core2duo processor, integrated graphics and an intel chipset, probably centrino-certified. This should be very linux-friendly. Also, a good measure of memory and a high-resolution screen won't hurt.

Answer 2

I'd say thinkpads. There's even a wiki dedicated to support linux on thinkpad's.

You can buy them new or second-hand, and have a good battery life. Nice keyboard, and matte screen (you wouldn't dare programming with a glossy one), and support is great (still can find drivers for year-old laptops on lenovo's site), and the trackpoint is good for keeping the hands on the keyboard while navigating with the mouse.

Answer 3

Any Intel-based integrated chipset (with WIFI,GFX etc) seems to work out of the box.

Answer 4

I'm using a MacBook with Ubuntu ant it works brilliantly. Even suspend is working great when closing the lid.

The Ubuntu wiki has some top-notch information on how to install Ubuntu on your MacBook as well as how to configure almost everything of interest:

MacBook Ubuntu wiki

Answer 5

I have a Dell D820 (about 2 years old) that is supported very well by the upcoming Ubuntu 8.10. I think with Dell and Ubuntu working together the out of the box experience of Dell and Ubuntu has improved dramatically over the last 18 months.

Wifi and accelerated graphics works with a quicjk click of the proprietary driver wizard. The suspend works great. The experience has been very good.

Answer 6

This summer I bought a 15" Thinkpad T61p with awesome specs for exactly $1500.

That included a 1920x1200 non-glossy display, a 2.5 Ghz dual core CPU with 6 MB L2 cache and a powerfull nVidia graphics card with 512 MB GDDR3 RAM (good if you want to do OpenGL / shader programming, too). The system works like a breeze with Linux, really every component is supported, even the inbuilt card-reader, harddrive protection using shock sensors, etc.

Thinkpad keyboards are especially notable for programmers, as they can be considered as being simple the best laptop keyboard you can get today. In combination with the very convenient TrackPoint (you don't have to take a hand off the keyboard to move the mouse cursor) and formerly mentioned display you get a very ergonomic working machine for a programmer. While the machine has very powerful components, it is still running rather cool and the fan runs at a non-distracting noise level.

I have to say I'm totally satisfied with this product, except that the on-board soundcard and speakers could be more capable/powerful, a glitch not relevant to the typical programmer. You also mentioned battery life: It is mid-range, three hours and more are certainly not a problem, more than four hours-better not bet on it. It is possible to buy a battery with more cells, though, and the DVD drive slot is also capable of handling an additional battery instead of a drive.

I would assume that today you get even more value for the same money from Lenovo or perhaps just save some.

Answer 7

I have a Dell D820 with a NVidia chipset (I prefer NVidia over Intel for the graphic card but this is personal preference) running under Ubuntu for now 2 years and I'm totally happy with it.

Of course, it's not the only laptop on which you can run Ubuntu but Dell is not that expensive and most of things were running out of the box: 3D acceleration (with the proprietary drivers), wifi, touchpad, sound, modem. I had to do a few tweaks for touchpad (too slow) and hibernation but they are documented (see links below) and things might be better with Ubuntu's latest version.

My next laptop might be a Thinkpad as I still consider them as the best - but expensive - laptops. But the quality of my D820 isn't an issue and I'm not sure the price difference is worth it. BTW, Dell offers laptop with Ubuntu installed for a cheaper price than the Windows version. I think Lenovo has Linux offers too but I didn't check.

For a list of laptops tested on Ubuntu, check the LaptopTestingTeam page on Ubuntu's wiki.
For a list of laptops running under Linux, check Linux on Laptops.

Answer 8

Get something with all intel hardware and you will be set.

Answer 9

If you want to avoid all installation problems, buy a laptop with Ubuntu pre-installed. I bought one from Dell, who have a Linux section if you know about it. I'm happy with it, and have been setting it up for home software development. So far, I've been mostly playing with Mercury, having decided to try a distributed VCS.

Answer 10

Like someone said, ThinkPads.

I've owned three laptops. The thinkpad has been by far the easiest to install linux on - it had no problems.

I've also HEARD that it is the best by others.

Answer 11

I use XPS 1330 with Ubuntu Intrepid (with Dual boot Vista). Replaced the motherboard 2wice (free of cost) as it was the faulty batch. Performance wise it is the best laptop I've seen. Its nice, sleek and lightweight and very powerful. NVidia wireless and sound work out of box. I use Netbeans+Oracle/postgres+JBoss on it.

Thx, Sam

Answer 12

I'd buy lifebook a530 . is compatible for ubuntu ? my ubuntu is 10.04 ?