Linux

The only thing that makes me question that is my current laptop not having a working headphone jack port. It's most likely a hardware issue that I would need to put a ton of work into figuring out why it isn't working properly. It's a Samsung Galaxy Book, so I would have to look up the specific model and find out what hardware they use, which I'm not too fussed about since I can just begrudgingly use bluetooth.

Same type of issue with the last shitty worse-than-a-toaster laptop with detachable touchscreen monitor laptop I used to have that ran Ubuntu (my first experience with Linux in general).

Headphone jacks on laptops are the bane of my existence when it comes to Linux (obviously not including android because I count that as its' own separate entity).

9 years and 4 months ago I bought an Acer laptop with a 4 core Intel Skylake with hyperthreading (i7-6700HQ) and a Nvidia GTX 960M, because the laptop I had was slow for compiling in my classes at Uni, and I wanted a discrete GPU for the occasional game when away from my Desktop PC (winter break and such (still use it for that btw)). I regretted that three times:

• First when I wanted to install Linux instead of just using VMs. In early 2016 the kernels on live system ISOs didn't properly support Skylake yet, so I fucked around with Arch a bunch, but didn't end up keeping it installed. Don't remember why, probably got busy with schoolwork.

• Then a while later, after I had installed Ubuntu or Fedora at some point, the next issue was that cooperative mode of Bluetooth and Wifi on the included Intel wireless chip wasn't well supported (even found an Intel Bluetooth dev saying as much on a mailing list), and it hung sometimes, so I had to make a script to turn the chip off and then rescan the PCI bus, that worked as a workaround but was still annoying.

• Finally when we had Machine Learning classes I thought I might be able to use CUDA locally, so I tried installing the proprietary Nvidia driver and was greeted by a black screen on the next boot. Had to boot from a live system and chroot in to remove the proprietary crap again.

On my Desktop PC I have used AMD GPUs for quite a while and dual booting Windows and Linux has always been a breeze.

I bought a Dell Inspiron circa 2014 intending to run Windows on it. I was dabbling in Linux playing with Raspberry Pis, but didn't really have designs to run Linux on my main computers. I found Windows 8.1 so unlivable that I tried out Linux Mint.

That laptop just kept dying.

I went around and around with Dell support for a semester about that damn laptop. I was going back to school, I bought a laptop for school, I didn't get that fucking laptop. I did an entire semester of coursework with a Kindle Fire and two Raspberry Pis (a 1B and a 2). They finally replaced the damn thing with a different model, that was missing a lot of features I had ordered. Dell is at the top of my goddamn blacklist.

Anyway, the first x86 machine I ran Linux on, Linux compatibility wasn't a factor, and then I really didn't get a choice anyway because I didn't get the machine I ordered. But I've had dental surgeries that I enjoyed more than Windows 8.1.

In the early days, Linux Mint needed a kernel update to support the trackpad. I'm still not convinced the dedicated GPU ever worked. I had an external docking station that was very meh. It did the job though, I actually still have it in service. It won't run Windows 11 I don't think but modern Linux runs just fine.

I've since built two desktops with Linux compatibility in mind which have worked very well, and a little Lenovo thing to use as a shop tablet which...could be a lot better.

What are people doing with their laptops, mine never break, except one time when I knocked a cup of water into one in 2005.

My latest one, Asus Zenbook is already 3 years old and no issues. Has a dent in the top cover where a nurse kicked my bag when I was in hospital.

My previous one, a dell Inspiron which my 9yo has had for 2 years, is 6 years old, he is not gentle.

Previous to that, I had a work supplied Alienware that lasted 7 years, I traveled internationally with that one quite a few times.

Not sure if I'm lucky, or more careful than average. But I hear about "build quality" issues a lot in internet posts. I've just never seen it in the wild.....

Note: all ran/run various flavours of Linux.

To be fair, your issue seems more to be software based than hardware.
I should warn you that even if you do get a x86 laptop, Photoshop is rather janky under Wine and Roblox could find a way to kill the Vinegar client in the future.
I'd recommend you borrow a friend's machine and give it a spin, you might unfortunately not be off the dual-booting hook just yet...

I got quite lucky, as my first laptop when I switched to Linux, was all-AMD and I had zero AMD issues. So when I was looking for a new laptop a few months back, I stumbled upon a cheap recent Thinkpad, with great specs, all AMD, and got it ASAP. Again, zero issues. But because of the Nvidia horror stories I've heard, I knew that there would be no Nvidia on my new machine. That was non-negotiable.

I really don't understand why people bother with Adobe products. I've been using Gimp for like 20 years and it's never been lacking. I've never once thought about re-pirating Photoshop.

Garageband on the other hand... I would kill for a linux equivalent.

I have a Framework 16. Is it as well-built, efficient, or quiet as a MacBook Pro? Nope. But if something breaks I can easily replace it, and I can upgrade it without having to throw everything away. Also, hot-swappable ports. That's nice too.

It's all about trade-offs in the end.

I just can't justify spending the money on a Macbook.

I mean they are great, but I don't want to pay for MacOS if I don't use it.

the ultra high end computers with coreboot/libreboot from linux makers (ie system76, slimbook, tuxedo, pursim, starlabs, etc.) are the only things you're going to find with comparative build quality, but a significantly higher price tag.

you could also get one of the high end computers from ordinary computer makers, but the build quality is going to vary a lot, even with computers from the same manufacturer.

I say go for the desktop for grunty work and pick up an older thinkpad for the mobile use case or just remote in with your macbook. I have a T580 (last of the dual batteries, infinite battery life baby), works an absolute treat on linux and next best build quality to a macbook but with a repair manual and massive upgradeability.

Best luck I've had with laptops has been Razer, actually. They're gaming laptops, so a bit warm and loud and the battery life isn't great, but they're built like a brick, can be easily opened, all parts are easily replaceable/upgradeable, and since they generally use Intel everything, Linux compatibility is solid as well (except for RGB lighting and stuff, but with OpenRazer and Polychromatic even that usually works except for brand new models).

My last laptop was a Razer Blade 14 which ran great for like 6 years before I just got bored and decided I wanted to upgrade to a newer model with a better display. Over the 6 years I used it I upgraded the RAM, SSD, added a second SSD, upgraded the WiFi card, etc. It ran literally 24/7 during that entire time other than brief moments when I shut it down to throw in a backpack for travel, the only thing I had to replace for maintenance was the battery. I now have a Razer Blade 16 which has been great for the last year, zero issues, also running 24/7.

Before Razer I used Dell, Lenovo, HP, and Asus. None of them lasted more than 2-3 years before either the plastic crap holding it together fell apart, or the monitor, mouse, or keyboard failed, or I wanted/needed to upgrade something that was not user-replaceable (usually RAM or WiFi).

I question my choice of Nvidia every day

I haven't tested it, but there seem to be a Roblox client for Linux.

https://sober.vinegarhq.org/

the build quality is 2nd to none

Good luck when the ram or disk becomes defective 😂

I’m a big fan of the Hp Elitebooks, you can get them with AMD chips. Apple’s MacBooks are pretty much in a league of their own and you pay a premium for that! Have an m3 max for work that is incredible.