Looking for Laptop Recommendations for Linux After Leaving Mac
Asked by
AdventurousPenguin42
Hey everyone! I'm finally making the switch from Mac to Linux after years of frustration with Apple products. I don't have a tech-heavy background, so I'm looking for a user-friendly option. I'm mainly interested in writing, listening to music, and reading—nothing too demanding like gaming or video editing. I've had my eye on Thinkpads, but I'm unsure which model to choose, preferably something from around 2020 that can still perform reliably. For context, I've been using a 2012 MacBook Pro—it's been my trusty machine for almost a decade, outdoing my newer MacBook models. I really want a solid laptop to handle my everyday tasks. Oh, and I specifically need a headphone jack on the left side. This is my first time venturing into Linux, so any help would be appreciated! If I've posted in the wrong place, feel free to redirect me, and I owe you a big thanks!
Answers
You might want to consider putting Linux on one of your existing Macs. I’ve got a 2011 MacBook Pro running Linux with an SSD and 16GB of RAM, and it works great for everyday tasks! Plus, since the older MacBooks are practically given away now, I wouldn’t worry too much about losing it.
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To find a laptop that meets your needs, try using a search engine to see which models fit your criteria, especially for Ubuntu or Mint compatibility. Make sure to check up-to-date reviews!
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If you liked the performance of your 2012 MacBook Pro, I'd recommend a 1st or 2nd gen T14 ThinkPad for around $200-$300. They're pretty solid for light tasks and they officially support Ubuntu and Fedora. Just a heads up, you might notice a drop in battery life and display quality compared to your Mac, but they’re built to be durable. For what it's worth, I really love my T14!
FilmFanatic11: That sounds a bit discouraging. Is there another laptop out there that provides a similar feel to a MacBook? I do love watching movies, so screen quality is actually really important to me. Should I just consider an Intel MacBook Air and install Linux on that?
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CuriousCat99: That's a great idea! You can even try installing Linux on a USB drive first to see how you like it before stealing space on your hard drive.