I’m on the market to buy a new laptop, and Lemmy has successfully coaxed and goaded me to give Linux a serious try.

I’ve never used *nix as my personal OS.

Which hardware/laptop do you recommend? And which OS to pair it with for a Linux newbie?

I’m a software engineer, and quit my job to pursue an MSc in AI. So my uses will be:

  • programming
  • study
  • browsing lemmy
  • gaming
  • dave@hal9000
    13•6 months ago

    I have been eyeing a framework laptop. Just curious how you use the modular ports in your case: do you have different ones you swap sometimes?

    • Marty
      9•6 months ago

      2 type c’s and 2 type A USB are in it 99% of the time. I have the HDMI, and display port modules but have rarely used them. I also keep the 2.5Gb Ethernet for when I break the WiFi to get back into the router, and a microsd for when I reflash my raspberry pi’s .

        • Marty
          5•6 months ago

          Other than they fit nicely into a pocket in my backpack…no. The main reason I love their product is the reparability aspect, allowing me to swap ports is just a neat feature.

      • dave@hal9000
        3•6 months ago

        I guess that makes sense, I can still just put the dongle I already have for edge cases like plugging into a DisplayPort monitor, needing Ethernet, etc. Also I didn’t realize until someone else commented that they have extra storage ones, that would probably be one for me

    • @GorgeousDumpsterFire@lemmy.world
      6•6 months ago

      I have a “typical” set of ports (2x USB-C, HDMI, USB-A) that’s on my laptop most of the time. I also have the 2.5GbE adapter that I use occasionally.

    • @refreeze@lemmy.world
      5•6 months ago

      I keep a copy of Windows installed on a storage card, saves from having to mess about with partitioning for dual booting.