For that sort of money you can buy a very good Mac. Why do you need an additional Linux box?

cheers, Paul

My first port of call would be to download the ‘Pop OS!’ distro, burn it to a flash-drve and live-boot onto an existing device to see if the OS is fit for purpose? otherwise it’s an overpriced distro-hopping m/c.
https://pop.system76.com/

OscarCP wrote:

I have a good Mac; I would like to have also a Linux one, because I have not had opportunity to work with Linux for a very long time and I want to practice my Linux. The Mac’s have a very similar system, but the binary executables I can produce there are not interchangeable with other people who have Linux machines, and vice versa. And I can afford it.

So: what someone here can tell me about this computer and Pop!?

Buy a cheap no name $200-$400 desktop/laptop with no OS and install any Linux version you want. There is no need to pay $1000+ for a Linux box.

Or

How to use Linux on your Mac using a virtual machine (VirtualBox, Parallels)

These computers seem to be considerably more expensive than equivalent hardware from “traditional” makers that usually put Windows on them. I like the idea of supporting companies that advance Linux, but I also like getting the most value for my money. I am not sure if I would get that from these units.

I have not used Pop! OS, but it uses the GNOME 3 desktop environment, which is by far my least favorite of them all. The reaction to the introduction to GNOME 3 inspired the creation of two new desktop environments, MATE (a continuation of GNOME 2 after the GNOME devs moved on to GNOME 3) and Cinnamon (GNOME 3 reworked to bring back the traditional UI, more like GNOME 2 had). The two projects are converging, now that MATE has decided to adopt the GTK 3 UI toolkit, removing the one bit that formed the distinction between MATE and Cinnamon, and there has been talk of a merger. I don’t know if that will come to pass or not.

I am using my Dell XPS 13 to write this, and it came with Linux from the factory too. That Linux was Ubuntu 20.04 LTS, which also comes with GNOME 3, and lemme tell ya, that went away pretty dang quickly in favor of KDE Neon, a downstream variant of Ubuntu 20.04 LTS.

That does not mean GNOME won’t work for you, but it is something you should be aware of before taking the plunge.

You could always install a different Linux distro on the thing, but at that point, you could have done the same with a laptop that came with Windows, and it seems like you do not want to do that. If the goal is to keep the OS it came with (System 76 gives you the option of Pop! or Ubuntu, which both use GNOME 3), it would be good to know it’s going to work for you before spending all that money. You could also install a new desktop onto the existing installation of Pop! or Ubuntu, though that’s also getting into the kinds of modifications you seem to want to avoid here.

Ascaris wrote:

These computers seem to be considerably more expensive than equivalent hardware from “traditional” makers that usually put Windows on them. I like the idea of supporting companies that advance Linux, but I also like getting the most value for my money. I am not sure if I would get that from these units.

I was up to more than 3k so yeah. The used HP or Dell route might be good if you don’t care to build your own.

The boxes are VERY pretty though 😉

I wonder if the over priced MX Master 3 Wireless Mouse
comes with a full suite of Linux S/W/?

Your signature line implies you’re running Mint. What are you running it on?

If your goal is to learn Linux, then why not learn it on whatever you’re running Mint on? Or, you could get a spare computer if you have one lying around or get a decent refurbished one that you can try out a bunch of different distros from flash drives to see which one(s) you like. Maybe you’ll like Pop, maybe you won’t.

The best way to learn Linux, IMHO, is to learn how to get into the BIOS to set your computer to boot off a flash drive, create the ISO image of a distro, then run it off the flash drive and if you like it, install it on the hard drive, and keep learning/practicing from that. Do all of this a few times and you’ll learn a lot. Once you decide what you want, then consider going out and buying something from System 76 if you want their support. Or buy a new computer or good refurbished without an OS, and install your distro yourself and go from there.

I would myself do what I just described pretty much no matter what my budget was. Let us know what you decide!

I purchased a laptop from System76 many years ago. No problems with the company or the laptop but I think they’re overpriced. You won’t be unhappy with your purchase but you will be spending more than you need to. As others have posted, buy a reasonably priced laptop and install Linux on it.

Oscar
I can’t answer your questions about System76 or about PoP!OS since I have no direct experience with either of them. What I would like to offer is a change in perspective.

Back in the days of Mac vs PC, people would ask which one should I get and the answer was really another question — what do you want to do with the computer? Once one identified what one wanted to do, then the question was what software, which led to which computer ran that software (or the better/best version of it). The point being the purpose of the machine was the more important question to answer.

In your case, I fully agree with Microfix and Alex5723 that, since it is relatively easy and certainly at low or no cost to test the Linux distro, that you should first try out Pop! on your existing hardware (if that is possible). The reason I say that is because, based on a number of years of distro-hopping, I have found that some Linux distros are more to my liking and/or have the specific versions of some utilities that are more suited to what I want to get done. For example, just like Ascaris, I have found the KDE Plasma desktop environment much much more to my liking than any of the other DE’s I’ve experienced. That’s strictly a personal taste and you and others may dislike KDE Plasma. But you won’t know for that yourself until you’ve tried different ones.

If you can find some computer that will allow you to experiment with Pop! and/or various other distros and desktop environments, you may find one that is more to your liking and decide that’s what you’d prefer. If that distro turns out to be Pop!, if Pop! has the apps and utilities and the access to support and to a reasonably large enough selection of software, THEN the next step is to consider the hardware, the System76.

The situation I’m trying to avoid here is spending a sum of money for the laptop and Pop! only to find out that Pop! is too different from the Mint you used before and there are too many things that become annoying to you. Can you switch out the distro to a different one later on? Almost definitely you can, but the investment you made really included the package of hardware and OS, all tweaked and set up as a unit to work right out of the box — and that is the value of the package and is what made the price worth paying. If you split the package then you might just as well have gotten different (better? less expensive?) hardware and slapped your choice of distro on it.

OscarCP wrote:

Pop!

Pop!OS is Windows 10 dressed in Linux cloths if that what you want.

To decide on a Linux distro, first pick what desktop you like.  Yes, distros can run with other than their most preferred desktop.  The reasons you should not do this are pretty obvious – more problems popping up.

Commonly used desktops are Gnome, KDE, and Cinnamon.  If you like Cinnamon, your distro should be Linux Mint.

If you like Gnome, you should probably choose Ubuntu.  There are other options if you find out things you don’t like about it.

If you like KDE, KDE Neon has hardly any pre-installed software.  Kubuntu breaks the rules I mentioned above.

Pop!_OS doesn’t have much market share.  It is planning to change its desktop from COSMIC, which is Gnome with some addons, to a custom in-house desktop.  https://linuxgamingcentral.com/posts/system76_new_de_written_in_rust/

? says:

Oscar, i suggest you go to distrowatch and pick several versions you find appealing and install the iso(s) to a usb stick to take for a spin. i use ubuntu because there is great support on the internet. the only cost is for the usb stick and the electricity. i prefer ubunity with the unity desktop.

echo $XDG_CURRENT_DESKTOP
Unity:Unity7:ubuntu

for honing your linux  terminal skills i suggest the ultra lightweight and flexable Slax 11.2.1

https://www.slax.org/

OscarCP wrote:

“TUXEDO_OS is Ubuntu based with Budgie Desktop!”

I wouldn’t buy a Linux PC with homebrew Linux version (TUXEDO_OS, POP! OS..).
Mainstream Linux versions are preferable (support, help forums, updates..)

Either Tuxedo or System76 will pre-load your laptop with Ubuntu if you choose.

Oscar, I know you originally asked for feedback based on direct experience of the System76 laptops and Pop!OS. Lacking that, be aware that Linux Format Magazine’s current issue (www.linuxformat.com; #287, April 2022 issue) has a review of several Ubuntu-based distros, including Pop!OS (spoiler alert: it rated Pop!OS tops over the others, including Mint). If your local library offers access to magazines via its Libby app, you could browse the review for free.

Well, then, while you’re at it, check this one out as well (again, see if your local library offers these magazines either in hard copy or online).

https://www.linux-magazine.com

I suppose it’s possible that NASA might offer access, but don’t forget about your local public library. The pandemic has actually had a positive effect around here in that our library has expanded its offerings making it easier to access a wider range of services online. If you haven’t checked lately, you might be pleasantly surprised at what you have available to you with a simple public library card.

System 76 Pop!_OS 22.04 LTS

Automatic Updates

Update and upgrade Pop!_OS automatically from the OS Upgrade & Recovery panel in Settings! Minimize interruption by scheduling what day & time that you want your computer to perform the updates. Scheduled automatic updates include support for Debian, Flatpak, and Nix packages…

Troubleshoot from the New Support Panel

At the bottom of the Settings menu, you’ll find the new Support panel. Here, you’ll have quick access to troubleshooting resources ..

Enhanced Performance with the System76 Scheduler

The System76 Scheduler optimizes performance by directing resources to the window in focus. So if you’re doing something intensive like gaming in full screen, you’ll get a much smoother experience…

A New and Improved Pop!_Shop

After some significant renovations, the Pop!_Shop is once again open for business! The updated storefront..

Nuts and Bolts Improvements

The workspaces view has received a sizable tune-up, which includes:

Better multi-monitor support
Fixed layout on HiDPI displays
Increased performance..

https://pop.system76.com/

? says;

i don’t know if you are still in the preinstalled Linux game, Oscar? i went by the local Micro Center the other day and had a look at their selection. i’m thinking about something with AMD since this circa 2008 Vista Acer 4420 with Athlon x2 and Radeon x1250 is still doing the job proficiently. just read this article from How-To Geek on 2022 laptops:

https://www.howtogeek.com/748445/best-linux-laptops/

these all have Linux preinstalled…

OscarCP: I’ve had a System76 laptop for the past couple of years (Darter Pro), and have been very happy with it in general. The support from the company, as you’ve read, is indeed very good.

The hardware has been mostly great, with just a few small issues for me (I don’t know whether these carry across the whole line or are specific to my model). The main one is that the touchpad doesn’t seem to turn off like it should when I’m typing, with the end result that I often start typing then accidentally move the cursor somewhere other than where I mean to be, and find myself typing away in the wrong place for a while before I notice it. Since I almost always use a wireless mouse, I just disable the touchpad unless for some reason I don’t have the mouse with me.

The other hardware issue is that I find the keyboard backlighting a bit wonky: you can change the colors, which is great, but it seems to default back to the “base” color (kind of a dull purple that I find boring) frequently, rather than staying with what I’ve chosen. And the lighting doesn’t seem to be responsive like with some other machines I’ve used – it’s either on or off (rather than coming on when you touch the keys). Not a big deal for me – I generally just keep the backlight off.

I’ve tried several distros on the machine, but PopOS is great and of course works very well with the hardware. One thing I really like is that they’ve incorporated firmware updates into the settings, so it’s easy to stay current with the firmware. And it’s definitely not just a homebrew; it’s one of the more popular distros these days and there is an active online community if you need help with anything. The DE is a modified (and customizable) version of Gnome. Although I liked Gnome 3 quite a bit I’m not terribly happy with where they’re going these days. System76 is working on their own DE to eventually replace Gnome, but since that may be a while I’m currently thinking of switching to KDE Neon as I’m tired of all my extensions breaking every time Gnome gets an update.

Hope this helps.