this post was submitted on 11 Sep 2024
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I'm looking for a portable, very compact linux laptop.

Screen size: 12 inch or smaller Weight: less than 1 kg (2.2 pounds) Full hd screen

I did some googling and i only found a CHUWI laptop that suffers from an overheating issue.

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[–] [email protected] 38 points 1 month ago (2 children)

Just go with a Framework 13. Yes it's 13 inch instead of 12 inch. But you will get the best possible Linux laptop out there. And it's also fully repairable and upgradable. I have the latest Framework 13 AMD 7040, yes AMD. And... do not forget to select the new 2.8k display. Allowing for the first time to just select 200% DPI scaling that just works for Linux! So no scaling issues.! https://frame.work/nl/en/products/laptop-diy-13-gen-amd/configuration/new

And select "7640U - 2.8K Display".

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I need something super compact and below 1kg.

[–] [email protected] 13 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Framework laptop 13 is just a bit above 1kg. It's 1.3kg... It is worth weighing this choice (you get the joke? hah, guhmm). If you really need something super compact and very light, maybe a old-school "netbook" will do.

Like the GPD WIN Mini (7 inch, that is super compact, right?).. But really get a Framework laptop hehe.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 month ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 month ago

Yes I know about GPD 10 inch laptop. If you what "super compact", then go for 7 inch right :P

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 month ago (1 children)

One day they will wake up & provide an OLED option with 100% DCI-P3

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 month ago

Keep dreaming :D

[–] [email protected] 22 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (2 children)

Your best bet is an Intel Macbook Air with 11.6" screen from a few years ago. They're even lighter and smaller than the current macbook airs. I have one myself running Linux Mint 22. Just make sure it has 8 GB of RAM (it works with 4 GB too, but you can't have too many tabs open). They sell for $200 refurbished.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Thanks. Which model/year do you have?

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 month ago

I have the mid-2011 model, but that one has only 4 GB RAM. For 8 GB RAM you need to get to 2014 model or so. As long as it's Macbook Air with 8 GB RAM and 11.6 screen, you're in business.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Hey, that sounds very interesting. It's there anything not working as it should work that hw/sw combo?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 month ago

It usually all works except the wifi in some models. The driver exists, and it's an available download in the official repos (just not in live cds, due to licensing), as long as you have a usb-to-ethernet adapter to install it. However, with Mint 22 I noticed that the wifi driver was finally included in the kernel and livecd by default.

[–] [email protected] 19 points 1 month ago (1 children)

You're probably better off looking for hardware to meet your spec requirements and then looking into its Linux support.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 month ago (6 children)

Older thinkpads would come to mind, usually a good option. Generally affordable, repairable, and can be good for Linux.

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[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 month ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

The 10 inch one looks interesting. Thanks! Are these compatible with Linux?

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Considering you can buy it with SteamOS preinstalled, I'd say probably so yeah.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 month ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 month ago

Below 10 inch is too small.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

X1 Nano:

  • narrower than the old 11.6 laptops and slightly taller.
  • Higher than 1080 screen due to the taller ratio.
  • IPS display
  • 0.97kg without charger.
  • Thinkpad keyboard and track point.
  • strong Linux support

Here is the PSREF for the first generation. They are up to Gen 3 of this line now.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 month ago (2 children)
[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 month ago (4 children)

They were nice little machines, but I don't miss the keyboard.

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[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 month ago

I just put DSL2024 on mine a few months ago, it works okay lol. Can't do much more than use the terminal or edit text but it's pretty fun to use the old hardware again. My only complaint is the zero key sticks.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Old used surface pro 3 works great with linux ,hardware still fine and screen is awesome.i own one and run pop os on wayland.

Resolution of screen 2160x1440 12' Intel Core i5-4300U

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I want a proper laptop with keyboard.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

The Surface Pro keyboard is actually quite good, with the added bonus that it's also easily detachable.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 month ago (2 children)

The issue I find with the surface is that it just isn't lapable. Using it on my lap is nearly impossible. Good on a desk though.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 month ago

Yeah that was the big strike against it for me too. I found that you can sort of perch it over a crossed leg and it's sort of serviceable that way, but yeah... no coding on the train with a Surface.

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[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 month ago (2 children)

Thinkpad X280?

LENOVO ThinkPad X280 12.5 LCD Ultrabook - Intel Core i5 (8th Gen) i5-8250U Quad-core (4 Core) 1.60 GHz - 8 GB DDR4 SDRAM - 256 GB SSD - Windows 10 Pro 64-bit (English) - (Renewed) Title https://a.co/d/4ylP22d

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Yeah I just saw some people on Reddit recommended this one. Checks all the boxes except for weight, but a very good option anyway. Thanks.

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[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 month ago (1 children)

If you can stretch to a 13 incher (no pun intended), LG gram might be your best bet. Around 965 gram weight, reasonably priced, can run Linux without any problem.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I still believe Framework laptop 13 is the best choice when going with 13 inch.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Framework is amazing (I have a 7840u 13in) but they're expensive. 100% worth it to me as an enthusiast and IT professional but possibly not for someone less interested in the tech itself.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 month ago

Agreed. It's 100% worth to me as well as software engineer. But maybe not for everybody. Then again, it's the best 13 inch laptop out there for running Linux. Especially considering the 2.8k display variant with 2x scaling works great under any distro.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

Minisforum V3 is 12” and less than 1kg.

But it is not quite a laptop, expensive and very powerful - not sure if that suits you.

Linux wise, most of the stuff works (sleep, power profiles, volume buttons, fingerprint reader, face recognition, pen, touchscreen). Things that don't work are automatic rotate/accelerometer.

I'm super happy with it, running arch, doing development and using VMs.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 month ago

Thanks. I've tried tablets and still prefer laptop form factor.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 month ago (2 children)

I use a Samsung Tab 9. Then supplement with a server running VSCode-server and other things. I would prefer Linux, and sometimes use TermuxX11, but it was the best I could come up with.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

So you do all your coding on your tablet?

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 month ago

Usually on my desktop connected to vscode-server, but when I'm remote, yes.

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[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 month ago (2 children)

Do your research, but if you can tolerate 13” diagonal screen, the retina intel macbook airs are cheap.

Do you have needs other than Linux compatibility, size and weight and screen resolution?

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[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I have a HP dragonfly g2, 11th gen Intel i5, 16gb of ram, 2.1 lbs, 13” and everything including tent mode works on fedora. I got it on eBay for $275.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Did yours overheat really badly? My 11th gen i5 pavilion did. Repaste, everything. Just ran super hot on battery. It'd kick on the fan and goodbye battery

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[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I've heard good things about the MNT pocket reform.

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