I currently have a low end Windows gaming laptop that I was planning to upgrade to Linux before Win10 goes end of life, but my HDMI port stopped working, so now I’m debating buying a new Linux laptop instead. Can anyone provide any recommendations?
I would prefer to have something preloaded with linux. On my current laptop I don’t play anything too demanding because it can’t handle it, instead I either stream more demanding games from my desktop or Xbox. I would likely run a VM with Windows because I need to use MS Office for school and I assume I could use that for streaming Xbox games as well.
I would prefer something that can handle a moderate game load without going nuts on fan noise. I would like to have a decent amount of storage (at least 1-2 TB), so either preloaded with that or easily upgradeable would be important.
I’m still figuring out my budget, it depends on what happens with work this summer. I will either be looking for something below $1k or possibly up to $2k if it seems worthwhile. I haven’t really used Linux very much before and not at all in the last 10 years. Any ideas?
Would a Steam Deck be a viable option? Built for gaming, functions well when using a dock (the official one is really nice).
I have one and it would probably work for my needs when docked, but I mainly use my laptop as a laptop. Its frustrating that such an inconsequential part (the HDMI port) is making me consider replacing an otherwise functioning laptop. Trying to get it repaired is probably the smarter option, its a shame laptops aren’t more user repairable. It definitely makes the Framework laptop that people are recommending appealing if I decide I’m willing to spend some money.
In that case, count my recommendation as a framework. I loved my 13” 11th gen (I was in wave 3 initial ordering) when I was using it mostly daily. The battery was not great but did improve over the first year as BIOS updates rolled out. I retired that machine as a laptop by 3D printing their mainboard case and jamming all the internals inside. Currently using it as a network appliance but the case I printed did not have room for the battery. I’m gonna do that later so it has its own “UPS” so to speak. For now it’s on my makeshift stack of machines that I call a homelab and it powers several network services and runs Debian. I did not run Linux on it while it was a laptop however so I’m not able to provide data on its hibernation/sleep reliability or WiFi/ battery performance.