[talk] FreeBSD laptop advice

[Sujit K M]

On Fri, Oct 9, 2020, 12:30 AM Brian Reynolds <
nycbug-talk at reynolds.users.panix.com> wrote:

> As luck would have it my laptop died at the beginning of Stay At Home.
>
> I'm looking for advice on a laptop to buy that will run FreeBSD
> RELEASE.  I know about the FreeBSD wiki Laptop page, and NYC BUG's
> dmesg site, but I'm hoping to hear additional real world experience
> from folks running FreeBSD as their daily machine.
>

You should be extra careful. My laptop old doesn't install freebsd 10+.

>
> This laptop will mostly be used for web browsing, command line email,
> and administrating my home network.  I expect to boot ZFS (hence
> FreeBSD), and tinker with virtualbox, jails, and maybe bhyve, but I
> have a desktop for any heavy lifting.
>
> I want an IPS display with a resolution of at least 1920x1080.  I'd
> prefer a 15-inch display, but might settle for 13-inch.  I need
> wireless to work.  The whole point is to be able to take the laptop
> around the house, and not be stuck in my computer room.  I also want
> suspend/resume to work.
>
> I don't care if bluetooth works.  I guess if the trackpad is crappy
> enough I'd use a wireless mouse, but I don't mind using a Logitech
> mouse with one of their non-bluetooth USB dongles.  I really want a
> three button mouse/trackpad, so I could wind up with a wireless mouse
> even if the trackpad is OK.  Integrated graphics are fine.  It would
> be nice if it's user upgradable, but I don't mind soldered RAM and
> storage so long as I know in advance, and can change my configuration
> when purchasing.
>
> My older daughter has a Dell Latitude 5490 from school that I know
> does not work (at least with FreeBSD 12.1-RELEASE).  Dell also has
> Modern Standby (hibernation) issues with the XPS line.  (At least
> under Windows 10 closing your Dell XPS 9570 and then putting it into a
> bag will void your warranty.
> <https://www.dell.com/community/XPS/FAQ-Modern-Standby/m-p/7514448#M55308
> >)
>
> I've heard good things about Lenovo, especially the Thinkpad X1
> Carbon.  However it looks like their current wifi is not supported on
> FreeBSD.  Lenovo recently announced support for Linux on all their
> machines, but their website only lists four models, and of course
> Linux support doesn't mean FreeBSD works.
>
> I would prefer to buy a new, current model so that I can get warranty
> service for the hardware if needed.
>
> I really don't want to pay more than what a Mac Book Pro costs.
>
> If new machines aren't well supported, what specific used machines do
> people recommend?
>
> How about a suggestion as to where to buy other than Amazon, Micro
> Center, or Newegg?  I've used them before, but maybe I'm overlooking a
> better place.  I'd love to find a place that I could walk into, and
> plug in my FreeBSD USB stick to test the hardware, but online is OK.
> The places I've gone to lock the machines down, and won't let you boot
> your own OS.
>
> Other than ebay and Craig's List, where are good places to find used
> machines in good condition?
>
> So does anyone have any suggestions for a good daily laptop running
> FreeBSD?
>
> --
> Brian Reynolds -- reynolds at panix.com
> "Long ago, it was the way of my people to travel to the Moon.  My people
> travelled to the Moon in a ship called 'Apollo.' I tell the story of Apollo
> in the hope that some day, my people will again travel to the Moon." P.
> Alway
>
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