Hey everyone! I'm on the hunt for a laptop for my 14-year-old son who's starting high school. I'm looking for something that strikes a good balance between usefulness, durability, and potential for the future—like, will he end up going into computer science or become an artist? I need advice on two main areas: 1. **Hardware** - What should I consider in terms of CPU, RAM, HDD vs SSD, and screen resolution? 2. **Operating System** - I've mainly used Windows for the past 20 years, and while my current MacBook Air is nice, I prefer working with Excel on Windows. I'm also concerned about bloatware, which makes me skeptical of Chromebooks. I've even been exploring Linux but could use some guidance here. My son's needs are mostly basic—he'll be doing documents, presentations, and possibly some drawing. I want him to be tech-savvy and independent, understanding how things work rather than just using them. Any insights would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
4 Answers
Honestly, anything with a 4060 GPU should do well (but avoid Nvidia). Just got to make sure you're looking at AMD cards instead. Still can't live that NVIDIA life on Linux!
You've got a ton of options! If gaming isn't a priority, refurbished Macs can run Linux smoothly after a few updates. Personally, I use a 2012 MacBook Pro with Manjaro, and it works great. If you'd prefer something like a ThinkPad—those are solid for your needs too. Dell workstations can also be good if you don't mind a little extra heft. For the OS, I'd recommend Ubuntu for a hassle-free experience, or Linux Mint if you prefer something that feels more familiar, like Windows 7.
What about using a refurbished Mac? Is there a specific reason they often run better with Linux? Like, is the hardware better or something?
True, but what's the deal with M1 chips? Are they okay for Linux or just the Intel ones?
When it comes to Linux, don’t worry too much about the distro; they pretty much all support the same software. The choice really comes down to preferences. For hardware, Linux is less demanding than Windows, so even mid-range specs can be sufficient. If he's just doing lighter tasks now, you won’t need to splurge. Just keep in mind that Nvidia GPUs can be tricky with Linux; it's generally better to go for AMD if you can.
Thanks a lot for the breakdown! Now I feel like I can ask better questions as I learn more.
Check out the Lenovo Thinkpad X390. It’s an older model but runs super well, and is lightweight. My son was using another Thinkpad, and while good, it was a bit outdated for daily use. Just make sure to get one with decent specs like an 8th Gen Intel processor.
I’ve heard ThinkPads are really reliable. Have you had any issues with them?
I totally agree! NVIDIA is hit-or-miss with Linux, and AMD seems to work much better overall.