I'm unemployed and my current laptop died. Is ThinkPad T480 still the goto and does it still work for software development? Thinking of getting a Framework but I don't want to spend that much right now.

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[–] 4 points 2 months ago

For laptops, I've successfully run arch on dell, HP, Lenovo, and a Surfacebook, all within the last 3 years. The only issues I had were on one of the dells and the SB, the touchscreen didn't work, which I had no issues with. I did have intermittent issues with the Lenovo fingerprint reader, but that laptop was about 10 years old when I got it, so less surprising.

I wouldn't limit yourself to manufacturer at all, and I would recommend a business class model, but if you can get a consumer grade for stupid cheap, I wouldn't say no to that either.

When my company cycles out laptops, they pull hard drives and then send them to recycling. We are allowed to take them. I had an older 2018 Dell and got a 2023 Dell to replace it. I just moved the nvme from one to the other and everything just worked. I didn't expect it to be so smooth, but I literally didn't have to do anything. I say that just so you know it's simple to upgrade if you find a better option later.

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