Ask HN: Best Developer Linux Laptop in 2012

5 points by linx 14y ago ↗ HN

I'm looking to buy a new machine for work. I've found some old threads discussing laptops for Ubuntu, but now it's 2012, the world has changed, there are even Macbooks with retina display... I really don't want to use OS X, I've been using it for about two years, but since I've installed Ubuntu on my MacBook Air I'm happier than ever.

So I'm looking for a powerful laptop around 13" and fully Ubuntu compatible. And the most important thing is that it shouldn't be heavy brick; I used to work with a MBA and really liked the ease of it.

8 comments

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[dead] thedeuce 14y ago ↗

sorry, but good luck!

fhirzall 14y ago ↗

Lenovo Thinkpad X220.

Toph 14y ago ↗

May I ask what's wrong with using Ubuntu on the Air that doesn't fit your criteria. It appears it does.

linx 14y ago ↗

It's getting too slow, since it's one of the earliest MBAs and I'm doing a lot of developing work which requires running virtual machines. I had a look at the latest MBAs, but I don't know if they are as Ubuntu compatible as my current MBA.

Toph 14y ago ↗

If you're running VM, it should be perfectly fine. I read about some dual boot issues but I think that can be resolved.

linx 14y ago ↗

I'm not running Ubuntu inside a VM, I'm running Ubuntu currently as dual boot. Just keeping a ~10GB OS X partition for eventually firmware updates. I want to do the same with the new MBA (if I buy one).

[dead] dgroves 14y ago ↗

Cheaper, Faster, Better - If you ask me it looks like a Satori: http://www.malibal.com/notebooks/satori-p170em/

But that is a beast compared to a 13" - I would get the Lenovo X220 if 13" is more important.

brandoncordell 14y ago ↗

Upgrade to a 13" MBP. I love my 13". I let my wife use it since I have a 15" quad core i7 and the 13" is only a core2duo.

It should be plenty compatible with Ubuntu. Put a solid state in there and 16gb of ram and you'll be a happy developer.