cross-posted from: https://lemmings.world/post/17468408

I am thinking of buying a relatively cheap laptop that is reasonably powerful. I am at loss when it comes to new CPU naming and its compatibility with Linux (from both Intel/AMD). I prefer Ryzen 5 or Core 5 above with atleast 16GB RAM.

Framework laptops are not available where I live.

I saw some Reddit posts claiming AMD being not optimized for Linux particularly for arch related distros (I use EndeavourOS). I am thinking of buying a Thinkbook from Lenovo, but confused b/w team blue & red.

Which of these CPUs are better for running Linux long-term with respect to optimizations, power management, thermals, track pad support etc. If anyone has a laptop recommendation, please feel free to comment down below.

Also, should I go for a high end Laptop like Asus Zenbook S14? A lot of reviews are picking it as the best compact laptop to buy this year. Its expensive. But if it keeps working for a long time, like 6+ years, then I don’t mind investing.

Edit: I use Gnome as my DE with EndeavourOS, but can also try Debian 12 with Gnome.

  • Pulsar@lemmy.world
    31·
    17 days ago

    An new AMD Laptop APU will outperform Intel in every metric. I can only recommend T14 & T14S but any other Thinkpad will be ok.

    • Jesus_666@lemmy.worldEnglish
      10·
      17 days ago

      There is one metric where Intel is better and that’s Thunderbolt. You typically get more full-featured Thunderbolt ports with an Intel CPU. Of course whether that point is relevant is highly dependent on your use case.

    • r00ty@kbin.life
      7·
      17 days ago

      Well for a gamer no real comment. But there is one metric Intel still trashes AMD in for the APU. Hardware video acceleration/encoding. The quality is objectively better on Intel Quicksync.

      When getting a home box that also needed to do transcoding, Intel CPU was a requirement. My desktop development/gaming system? Ryzen + NVidia.

      • Veraxis@lemmy.worldEnglish
        23·
        17 days ago

        I think it is the reverse these days. AMD generally has better power efficiency than Intel.

        • circuitfarmer@lemmy.sdf.org
          4·
          16 days ago

          This also has big implications in the desktop space. A Ryzen 7 9700x has a 65 watt TDP. A modern 8-core desktop CPU so power efficient that air cooling is perfectly fine.

              • Subdivide6857@midwest.socialEnglish
                1·
                14 days ago

                What do you think cools the fluid? Air.

                There are plenty of great air coolers that can keep up. Most of the AIO coolers can’t keep up with the best air options.

                If you’re looking to OC and squeeze out a negligible amount of performance, then a custom loop would be alright, but it’s never been an absolute must to liquid cool any desktop grade processor.