PC or Mac, which one runs Linux better?

English Open Chat
1

I need to purchase a new notebook, and since I’d like to run Linux (most likely openSUSE), I’d be interested in which hardware environment, PC or Mac, works better with it.

I’m of course aware that there are too many different PC makers out there to give a clear-cut answer. I am currently considering buying a Toshiba Dynabook R731/38C (it’s one of the few models sold in Japan that use SSD rather than HDD; also has superior battery life), but I’m still trying to make up my mind, and I’m wondering whether the fact that Macs use a Linux-like OS creates advantages for running Linux.

Cheers

2

Where Macs run Linux it’s only when the hardware components are supported. There is nothing magical about the fact that Macs run a variant of BSD Unix that allows them to run Linux better. You just have to do your homework re supported hardware in all cases. And FWIW Mac hardware is more expensive for the same performance, but the people who like Macs like the user experience and that it works OOTB so they are willing to pay more.

3

On 08/29/2011 03:56 AM, homoludens1000 wrote:
>
> I’d be interested in which hardware environment, PC or
> Mac, works better with it.

sorry, i’ve never run on a Mac so can’t answer except, i agree
completely with Ken Yap’s assessment (and, personally i wouldn’t pay the
extra for their hardware…and, if i had a Mac i’d run the installed
software *
as i think adding Linux to it would probably void the warranty!!

> I’m of course aware that there are too many different PC makers out
> there to give a clear-cut answer. I am currently considering buying a
> Toshiba Dynabook R731/38C (it’s one of the few models sold in Japan that
> use SSD rather than HDD; also has superior battery life)

careful! i bet the battery life is based on running the installed
operating system…and the installed operating system is very often
finely tuned via a coordinated effort between the engineers of both
the hardware and software working together to minimize CPU and video
components heat production, which thereby reduces fan speed and other
‘tricks’ to squeeze every last minute of battery life…

one thing you can be sure of is that Toshiba engineers have not worked
closely with Linux developers to ensure that open source device drivers
are perfectly optimized…read around (for example
<http://tinyurl.com/4x7ydwa>) and you will find many who are
disappointed that their fan is too loud, runs too much, their machine is
too hot and their battery runs out too soon…

my point is NOT to discourage you from installing Linux (far from it, i
use Linux exclusively) but rather i’d hate for you to buy that machine
based on the idea it has an extra hour or two of battery life when it
may have exactly the same battery life when running openSUSE as an
Acme 1234 which cost half the price!!

and, anyway you might be able to easily buy and extra battery (or a
larger, more power packed battery) and have DOUBLE the battery life (if
you are willing to carry the extra along, in your bag)…

so, pay careful attention to Ken’s “You just have to do your homework re
supported hardware in all cases.” google is your friend in that
homework…and, do NOT miss things like:

http://en.opensuse.org/Portal:Hardware
http://www.linux-on-laptops.com/
http://mcelrath.org/laptops.html

and millions of words about the situation…
(btw, everything with my tiny netbook “just worked” with openSUSE 11.4)

>, but I’m still
> trying to make up my mind, and I’m wondering whether the fact that Macs
> use a Linux-like OS creates advantages for running Linux.

no, because there is no assurance that the drivers available for Linux
are as well tuned as those available for the Mac…

–
DD
Caveat-Hardware-Software
openSUSE®, the “German Engineered Automobile” of operating systems!
*

4

Ken, DenverD,

thanks to both of you for your comments, they were extremely helpful indeed. I’ve no idea yet which direction I’ll take, but at least I understand the potential pitfalls a bit better. Thanks also for the links! :slight_smile:

Best

5

Sorry if I’m lazy here and ask without reading up on the internet first, but very generally speaking, what pc brands are known to have a good level of compatibility with linux? Or is it a question of the particular model?

6

On 08/29/2011 10:36 AM, homoludens1000 wrote:
>
> Sorry if I’m lazy here and ask without reading up on the internet first,
> but very generally speaking, what pc brands are known to have a good
> level of compatibility with linux? Or is it a question of the particular
> model?
>
>

it changes everyday…well, every week anyway… like i said my little
acer netbook is just wonderful with openSUSE 11.4, but you might walk
into a store and buy one today and and the webcam won’t work, or the
blahblah only half works…why? because those folks are in the business
to MAKE MONEY, and while the webcam module in mine may have been
produced by Acme in Tiwain for 39 cents yours has a module produced by
Emca in South Korea for 28 cents…the latter working great with the
Win7 Starter loaded on the the one you bought, but just plain broken
with Linux…

i’ve said this many many times: the best way to get a laptop which runs
Windows well is to buy one with Windows installed by the maker…oh,
WAIT! did i say Windows?

well, the same is true: the best way to get a laptop which runs Linux
well is to buy one with Linux installed by the maker…

there are LOTs of those out there, off and on… you are not likely to
find one sitting on the shelf in your local market (because it is SO
much easier to sell highly advertised Win7) and you will be disapointed
if you expect the Linux machine to cost less (for a lot of reasons)…

here is an OLD list of folks selling linux pre-installed hardware…some
may not still…some may offer linux only on their highend business
machines:

HP <http://www.hp.com/linux>, DELL <http://www.dell.com/linux> and
<http://linux.dell.com/>, IBM, Lenovo <http://tinyurl.com/3zckujt>, Asus
<http://tinyurl.com/3c57fk5> and several others sell such machines…

plus there are specialist:

http://www.linuxcertified.com/
http://www.emperorlinux.com/
http://system76.com/
http://www.shuttle.eu/products/complete-systems/ (search on linux)

–
DD
Caveat-Hardware-Software
openSUSE®, the “German Engineered Automobile” of operating systems!

7

For laptops if you don’t have to have bleeding edge stuff, you can wait a bit and buy a model that’s been on the market for a bit where the enthusiasts have already checked it out re Linux compatibility.

Linux on Laptops
TuxMobil: TuxMobil: Linux With Laptops, Notebooks, PDAs, Mobile Phones, PMPs, eBooks, GPS & Wearables

For desktops, you have more flexibility if you are willing to build your own beige box or have a shop assemble one for you, using peripherals that are known to be supported in Linux.

8

There are sites like system76 that come with Linux pre-installed. It may not be your flavor, but at least you know the hardware is supported.

9

My advice: follow ken_yap’s suggestion, build a PC yourself. This allows you to have a case of your flavor (no-noise, lots of noise, blue or no blinking leds), and linux compatible hardware. This also allows you to replaces single parts when broken, without loosing your warranty.

10

On 08/28/2011 06:56 PM, homoludens1000 wrote:
>
> I need to purchase a new notebook, and since I’d like to run Linux (most
> likely openSUSE), I’d be interested in which hardware environment, PC or
> Mac, works better with it.
>
> I’m of course aware that there are too many different PC makers out
> there to give a clear-cut answer. I am currently considering buying a
> Toshiba Dynabook R731/38C (it’s one of the few models sold in Japan that
> use SSD rather than HDD; also has superior battery life), but I’m still
> trying to make up my mind, and I’m wondering whether the fact that Macs
> use a Linux-like OS creates advantages for running Linux.
>
> Cheers
>
>

Why not support a manufacture that makes computers for Linux?
http://zareason.com
This is just one, there are many more out there.
From my understanding, Linux is generally less battery friendly then,
lets say, Windows.
This is just what i read mostly. I don’t own a laptop, but i would
always opt for a bigger replacement battery if i can.
One thing to consider is, i presume, what chips are on that board. So
yes, research is needed. But you always can buy a computer that is made
for Linux to work. Might be not as sexy as a ibook or toshiba, but its a
serious option to consider.

–
Euer Komputerfriek Joerg
using LXDE on 11.4 x64 and happy with a cup of real hot coffee…
http://mzl.la/o4n9Yw

11

Dear all,

thanks so much for your comments, links, suggestions etc. I’m a bit at a disadvantage because I live in Japan and although I take it there is a medium-size and somewhat active Linux community, there are no domestic companies focusing on Linux hardware solutions. The local pc manufacturers of course don’t implement Linux at all, but the branches of the international ones like Dell don’t either.

Anyway, I’ll sift through the information and see what option looks best. International shipping seems to be possible with some of the Linux pc vendors you mentioned; buying an ASUS or another fairly established and compatible machine might be another option. I suppose if I opt for a Toshiba or other recent model, I’d have to go through a detailed list of the hardware components to check their compatibility, since there are few reports on running Linux on them out.

Anyway, thanks again! :smiley:

12

On 09/01/2011 06:16 AM, homoludens1000 wrote:
>
> Anyway, thanks again! :smiley:

take a live CD to the store and ask if you can boot from it…on the
on-display machine in the store…hooked to the internet…

but, try it at home first and make sure you know how to use it…

check out the sound and blah blah…

–
DD
openSUSE®, the “German Engineered Automobile” of operating systems!

13

denverd, thanks for the advice, good idea.

has anyone ordered, by the way, from one of the numerous (at least in the us & canada, or so it seems) companies that sell linux notebooks? does all the hardware parts work alright under the linux distro installed?

there seem to be few that use opensuse, so if you happen to know of such a vendor, please drop me a note!