LinuxHardware

[–] oeuf@slrpnk.net 2 points 8 months ago (2 children)

Yes, that was certainly the case when I was shopping for a new laptop about a year ago.

Even if their hardware is generic, I would argue that there is added value in buying from Tuxedo though as it gives peace of mind that Linux will run well (PCS would not confirm this when I contacted them and told me to go away and look at their forums). Also, as a customer who runs Linux, you cannot be fobbed off by Tuxedo on the basis of using an 'unapproved' operating system when you need support.

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[–] gomp@lemmy.ml 2 points 8 months ago

Can't you just send the PC back if it turns out it doesn't run linux?

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[–] vas@lemmy.ml 1 point 8 months ago* (2 children)

I think you're right about a lot of things, even though I don't agree 100%. Individual points below

added value in buying from Tuxedo though as it gives peace of mind that Linux will run well

I think I see your point. All hardware that I've bought from PCS was absolutely compatible out-of-the-box, but then again, I knew what I want. (I've had two notebooks and one desktop computer from PCS if it matters, over the course of 5 years.) If I imagine myself completely not knowing anything about hardware and just buying some NVIDIA stuff, I could end up with hardware that ideologically doesn't mesh well with the "open" parts of Linux, and could be buggy and not working well on a practical aspect. The practical aspect was especially relevant years ago, now it smoothened out a little bit.

you cannot be fobbed off by Tuxedo on the basis of using an ‘unapproved’ operating system when you need support

Does PCS really do that in reality though? I've never heard of that. At the time that I was making my first purchase I was checking comments to their hardware, and people actually praised Linux support. They officially somewhat encourage it as well, as you can NOT pay 130 Euros for Windows by simply unselecting it during purchase. How can they afterwards make complaints that I don't have Windows? Do they really do that, can you reference anything to this claim?

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[–] vas@lemmy.ml 3 points 8 months ago* (1 child)

UPD: I've just noticed that the Tuxedo notebook in this article actually ships with NVIDIA. So for a GPU, it cannot possibly be better than any other notebook out there. I mean, in 2025, you either ditch an external GPU for best Linux support, or you use NVIDIA. And within NVIDIA there are no "good" and "bad" models, they're only "new" or "old". Besides a GPU Tuxedo could be taking care of the chipset better to be fair, e.g. WiFi and LAN. That's about it, nothing else can go wrong at all to the best of my knowledge.

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[–] vas@lemmy.ml 2 points 8 months ago*

P.S.2: I guess there's also an ideological point of buying from a Linux-first provider. I think it's very nice feeling when it's possible. I remember I've bought a ThinkPenguin a decade or so ago, and I was very happy to have that Penguin printed on the back of my notebook lid ^^

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[–] oeuf@slrpnk.net 3 points 8 months ago (2 children)

As you've had experience of actually buying from them I will defer to your experience. I only made an enquiry about Linux compatibility and wasn't satisfied with the response, so I don't have any firsthand experience of their products.

Although I have become somewhat technical after the last few years of using Linux, I find that it stresses me out if I have to spend time hacking things to make them work and my main reasons for choosing it as an OS are ethical.

Ultimately I bought a Star Book from Starlabs, partly for the reasons above but also for the high gamut display and because I wanted Coreboot and no Intel Management Engine. I also didn't want to have to deal with international shipping and they are here in the UK.

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[–] vas@lemmy.ml 3 points 8 months ago

I find that it stresses me out if I have to spend time hacking things to make them work and my main reasons for choosing it as an OS are ethical.

I feel ya, totally... All those points apply to me, as well.

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[–] vas@lemmy.ml 1 point 8 months ago (1 child)

Star Book from Starlabs

I've just checked the notebook, it has awesome specs! I mean, it's very expensive. But it's impressive. From ethical and "software" things like Coreboot to really up-to-date hardware and good display quality. Nice! Something to keep in mind for the future.

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[–] oeuf@slrpnk.net 2 points 8 months ago (3 children)

The hardware is lovely! I think they sort of position themselves as the 'macbook pro'' of Linux. They design their own stuff, rather than using off-the-shelf models from Clevo or whoever, which I think most of the other options do, like Tuxedo, Slimbook, PCS etc. They're very good with customer support too. Also very repairable and they still stock parts for their older models, so I'm confident I can get my money's worth out it in the long run :)

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[–] vas@lemmy.ml 2 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

Lovely. Thanks for sharing!

(PCS notebooks are indeed Clevo. Just assembled, warranty'ed and supported locally.)

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[–] vas@lemmy.ml 2 points 8 months ago

They seem to have a Lemmy community, too: https://lemmy.ml/c/starlabs_computers@szmer.info (a bit empty, but well, doesn't hurt to add then)

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[–] vas@lemmy.ml 1 point 8 months ago* (1 child)

UPDATE: nevermind, found it here: https://starlabs.systems/pages/why-choose-us

By the way, I don't intend to buy it right away - more like marvel the notebook for a while. But, with regards to disabling Intel's ME - do you see any claims to that on the website? I haven't found anything while briefly skimming through the page, both the main one and the "Tech Specs" tab. I could be wrong, but how I currently understand it, there's the functioning of the CPU itself, and there's the motherboard (e.g. BIOS). How I thought it works, is that Coreboot targets the motherboard, whereas techniques for disabling Intel ME are for the CPU. Do you know?

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[–] oeuf@slrpnk.net 2 points 8 months ago

Yeah, you can toggle IME on/off in Coreboot. It was off when I got the laptop.