Everyone who knows me either calls me Aphex Twin guy, Thinkpad guy or Linux guy. All of these are cringe, let's be honest, and especially Linux. If you pull open a Linux laptop infront of a woman, you are getting nowhere with her (disregarding the personality and physique of the average Linux user, that is). That's the truth. So, should you switch to Linux at the cost of your virginity? Keep reading to find out!
I'm not going to say use Linux for privacy or for freedom. Both of these are idealistic and not practical. You should be using Windows if Linux is making your life harder and you don't care about Linux besides promoting free software. Linux is both a hobby and a tool. Just like tweaking cars, hunting or fishing is a hobby that has benefits (your car can go faster, you get free dinner), Linux is a hobby that can also be used as a tool. Not all hobbies are like that and for some people Linux just won't work for them. If I edited videos for a living, I would never ever use or recommend Linux unless I was mentally deficient from severe zinc deficiency or the fluoride in tapwater. See Louis Rossman's video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOjCJXHJhPg
My point being: Use Linux if it serves you as a tool, or you enjoy it as a hobby, but especially use it if it does both - and all great hobbies do both. It will take time and effort for you to become proficient at Linux and to truly master the Unix way of life. It took me years and I'm still learning. Just remember that the fun is always in the beginning.
Just remember, operating systems are like cars. OSX (Apple) is a Tesla under warranty that is impossible to repair, Windows is a BMW and Linux is a 2004 Toyota Corolla. The Tesla and BMW look better, but the 2004 Corolla will outlive them all, be cheaper, easier, last longer, and is made with love.
My point being that Linux should be a fun hobby with benefits really ties in to what distro do you use. Well, what do you use? This server is hosted on Debian and I run Linux Mint. Very, very boring. It's not fun, but I can totally have fun if I wanted to. If I were to have a hobbyist laptop that I were to experiment on and play around with for fun I'd go for Arch. If I wanted a stable laptop I needed for work I'd use Linux Mint or Windows. There are no distros that are intrinsically better than other distros. The more unstable, the more fun and the more you learn. The more stable, the less fun you have and the less you discover more about Unix operating systems. For example, I always recommend a new user to use Ubuntu or Linux Mint, an intermediate to use Arch or Void or something that a fat loser would use (GENTOO), and an advanced user to use Linux Mint. Linux is all about choices! But let's be real, you came here for answers so I'll give them to you: Use Linux Mint or Arch. All the rest suck ass.
My friend told me that no Windows user dualboots Linux to use Linux programs, so why should a Linux user have to dualboot Windows to use Windows programs when they can just use Windows?
My answer: I dunno. I just like Linux.
Basically boomers and such. People who will never open a terminal or care about Linux. Should you give them Linux? The answer is: Depends. Honestly, Windows sucks compared to Linux for a complete boomer who uses their computer as a bootloader for Google Chrome and Skype. This is where Linux absolutely rocks. However, where Linux does not rock is if someone is a little more competent and plays video games, uses specific software (Microsoft Offices Excel, because Libreoffice Calc sucks), or any other proprietary software. These people should just use Windows. Basically to sum it up: Windows for my dad and brothers, Linux for my grandparents and mother, MacOS for my sister (if I had one).
If you are going to give them Linux, please don't be a fucking nerd who'll put Arch on their laptop. Get a life. Seriously. I have no idea why people do this and I see it all the time amongst Linux users. Back to the analogy with cars, it's like giving your mother your modded out Civic that'll break any second and only you can figure out how to fix it easily. Put Ubuntu or Linux Mint.
You need a new laptop, and quick! Either your child is starting school or your excessive use of pornography tools has led to a water damage issue - No problem, we've all been there. First thing to ask yourself is this simple question: Do I really need a new laptop? Your laptop being "old" is not an excuse. If it is slow /because/ it is old, then that is a reason - but most of the time an old laptop that is well-serviced can still function perfectly fine. Is it damaged? You should repair it or bring it to a repair store or fix it yourself. Hell, even reapply the thermal paste if it gets too hot or too slow and it'll work like brand new. Okay - Why am I dissuading someone from getting a new laptop? It's because buying a new laptop is like moving houses. It looks like a good idea, then once you move you miss the things from your old house and begin to second guess yourself. Sometimes you don't and completely love the change. Most of the time though, you'll miss a lot of the things from your old house despite living in a better area, paying less rent or mortage, or just whatever. You get the idea. A laptop is the exact same feeling. Unless your laptop is plagued with issues, don't go through with the risk.
Okay, the decisions been made. You're buying a new laptop. What brand, what style, what type? First and foremost: I always compare cars to computers, and so should you!!! When buying a laptop go for reliability over speed, ALWAYS! A faster car won't have the best milage or the best reliability, and a laptop is the exact same way. Brand new fast laptops for cheap almost universally suck. They break easily, have thermal issues, pixels on the screen will break, the keycaps won't last as long and the keyboard will break, the list goes on. You don't wnat that. You want reliability, battery life, and good build quality -> That's what makes a laptop different from a desktop. You want specs, get a desktop. You want a graphics card, get a desktop. Note this doesn't apply to everyone, but 95% of laptop purchasers will fit this category.
So, without further ranting, let's get to the meat of the topic. What to buy.
Anyone who knows me also knows about my fanatical love for these laptops. They have never, ever, ever failed me and have always worked amazing. I have never had a single bad issue with these laptops. I once cut a wire right by the pinout of a fan while replacing the CPU thermal paste. I was already going all doomer and looking on Ebay for a new fan, when BAM! It just turnt on without a fan warning. What?! I've had my theories but that's not the point - The point is that these laptops were made to be indestructible.
Pros: Reliable
Cons: Speed is not the best. Due to the high standards for reliability, Lenovo usually uses outdated CPU's so they are well-tested.There are several types of Thinkpads that will cater to your desires. Not all are made equal.
These are the gold standard for Thinkpads. Amazing build quality, repairable, and durable as shit.
T-Series but made of cheaper materials, worse displays, and are generally heavier. They're still a Thinkpad and leagues ahead of other laptops, but just cheaper.
Whether it be the carbon or the actual X-series, these laptops are light, portable, and sometimes a 2-in-1. They are basically a lightweight T-series laptop.
Do not touch these. These are the dalits of Thinkpads. If you touch any of these you will be cursed by the spirit of IBM and sent to eternal laptop purgatory.
Dunno. Figure it out. I don't really care about the workstation or 14"+ display laptops.
I see these quite often here in Canada. Businesses here apparently love to use the shit out of them. I've only ever owned one, and it was my highschool laptop. Worked absolutely amazingly and not a single issue, though the build quality of these laptops obviously is not as good as a Thinkpad they are still better than any other laptop. Most IT specialists say the quality control of Dell is pretty shit compared to Lenovo Thinkpads so do your own research on these. But, I give it my green light.
May Allah have mercy on me for saying this, but I'll say it - Reddit is good... Good for finding out what to buy. That's it, otherwise it's a disgusting site. So when in doubt, just go on Reddit and do your research there.
Don't feel like paying $10 for something that should be free? Follow this guide.
I am not under warranty if this bricks, damages, or spawns interdimensional DMT demons from your phone. If it does, don't send me an angry ass email.