I'm in the market for a reliable business laptop that can withstand some wear and tear—think no hinge issues and solid battery life. I'm specifically looking for one that either comes with Linux Mint, Pop!_OS, or something similar pre-installed, since I'm not too tech-savvy and I worry about messing up installations myself. Ideally, I'm considering a 14" or 15" model. My usage will primarily be browsing the web, watching videos, and using LibreOffice. I'd appreciate any suggestions on good models or where to buy one. I was considering Dell Latitude laptops, but there's just so much to sift through!
4 Answers
I picked up a refurbished Dell Latitude from Microcenter, and it’s been great. I’ve switched between Linux Mint and Kubuntu before settling on Fedora KDE. I had some minor bugs with Wayland on Mint, but overall, it's been a smooth experience for web surfing and accessing my home server.
Buying refurbished laptops from Amazon has worked out well for me! My latest is a Lenovo T590 running Ubuntu with complete functionality, including the fingerprint reader. It was under $500 CAD, and I recommend selecting the 'excellent condition' option for lightly used models.
If you're considering options, the HP ProBook or Elitebook line is solid, too! Also, don't forget to think about your budget before making a decision; it can really narrow down the options.
You should check out the Lenovo T14 laptops. I've been using the gen 1 model with Fedora Workstation and it runs like a dream!
Totally agree! I have the T14 gen 2 running Fedora 43. Everything's functioning beautifully, even the fingerprint reader for logging in. I switched from an X13 and just transferred my SSD over, no setup needed. The T14 comes with 16GB soldered RAM and an extra slot that supports up to 32GB, which is fantastic!
Yeah, letting us know your budget would definitely help us suggest the right models!