The worst part of using a gaming laptop on Linux is that, despite the great work of open source developers and hobbyists, it’s still way too clunky to use a hybrid graphics setup imo. Once you want to use an interface that’s only connected to one GPU (such as HDMI) you’re left messing with switching utilities like optimus-manager which (while very useful!) are usually rarely updated and may not work on certain systems.
At least with a system like this, which is pretty similar to how much I paid for a 1650Ti-mobile (while being faster!) all the graphics are handled by a single driver, which simplifies most of the pain in using a laptop on Linux for anything graphically intensive.
Looking forward to seeing Framework becoming this affordable one day, because I’d much rather go with them over Lenovo, but at least for now I can use Lenovo which lets you refuse Windows and save £90 :)
I’m confused by Lenovo’s naming these days. Before, “pad” used to denote the hybrid/tabletized devices with detachable touchscreens, and stuff like “note” and “book” tended to be laptops of varying size. Now it looks like “pad” is just laptops, or maybe it means the thinner ones?
After the Lenovo buyout of IBM’s hardware line, they flexed on the “Pad” branding to try to leverage the well-known and well-respected ThinkPad brand they got in the acquisition. I can’t say much for their other laptops (they’re fine), but I will admit to having been pleasantly surprised at how much they haven’t enshittified the ThinkPad line.
Apple and Microsoft are probably the only companies doing relatively consistent naming of their laptops. trying to find my model of laptop online is an absolute nightmare