Which powerful laptop for work with *buntu? (HQ-series CPU, 8/16GB RAM, SSD+HDD etc.)

Hi,
I am going to get a new laptop for work this year. I am often working with GIS, geodatabases, satelite images and data analysis and visualization apps so I am looking for something more powerful than Dell Latitude or HP Probook series which we often use now - lets say HQ series i5 or i7, SSD + HDD (does not need to be mounted both, if there is a free slot), 15 inch 1920x1080 matte display (do not care about weight - my current laptop has 2.6 kg). I am running 64bit Kubuntu and would like to also put it on the laptop.

However,
my budget will be limited to about 1300 EUR and it has to be new machine and officially sold in Europe (with warranty and service available - so only mainstream manufacturers). So the Dell Precision series laptops are out of the game and unfortunately also most Zbooks. So I also had to look in the gaming section.

One of my favorites is currently HP ZBook 15 G3 (the cheapest version) which has following specs:

HP ZBook 15 G3 T7V37ES
FreeDOS 2.0
Intel® Core i7-6700HQ
Display 39,6 cm (15,6") Full HD AntiGlare (1920 x 1080)
RAM 8 GB DDR4
Drive 500 GB (5400 ot./min) + 8 GB Flash module (+ free place for m2 SSD)
Graphics AMD FirePro W5170M/2GB
​

Enough power, fits the price range and no wasting money for Windows 10 which I do not want to use. However I cannot buy it now and it is beeing sold our so I also need to look for some alternatives with similar specs and price.

Maybe the HP ZBook 15 Y6J58EA will get cheaper in few months so it will also fit my budget but I am not sure.

The Zbooks looks best for me, because my colleague has Zbook 15G4 (not sure about exact specs) and runs perfectly with Kubuntu (unfortunately that model is to expensive for me). And also HP officially says they support linux:
http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c00060684.pdf

Can you recommend some alternatives?
I also looked on HP Omen which looks good (well built, not underestimated cooling etc.) but heard about some issues related to wifi (which I really need) and something about keyboard backlight. Absolutely no experience with Dell Inspiron Gaming series and linux but their reviews are overall not so good.

thanks

PS: no problem with the gaming design (with red/orange parts, light etc.) - I only do not want a pink laptop

 

Maybe you should look for an MSI, they have pretty good wifi cards and work out of the box. I don't know about Linux compatibility tho, you might wanna check that out yoruself. They are also very accessable and rather easy to find.

 

You need to chose which one you want? Gaming and workstation?
For the same or little higher price you get a desktop CPU and consumer grade GPU MXM modules on Clevos or MSI barebones.

 

@ Vasudev:
I do not need gaming (no intend to play games) laptop but mobile workstations are over my budget and I think I need powerful laptop to work when travelling. My current 15inch laptop weights 2.7 kg so no problem there.

I know desktop is better (and I have a desktop as my main machine) but I often end with processing the data when I am out of office (while complaining about small display) and it is annoying to have to wait for everything.

I primarilly look on the ZBook which is mobile workstation but if that particular one will not be available then I will have to look in the gaming series which offer similar performance for lower price (and will fit the budget).

I do not need professional graphics like Quadro - it is rather about raw CPU power and RAM.

 

Desktop CPU and GPU in a laptop like EVOC 16L-1080 or similar Clevo's.

 

I'd suggest looking at the components of your laptop (sound card, graphics, network, camera, etc. and if you can the usb any other port controllers). next search for 'linux <component>'. If you can find someone has drivers or has correctly configured that component, that should be a good indication it will work in your new lappy with Linux.

 

Skylake/kaby works brilliantly on linux, provided you install latest linux firmware from launchpad.net using gdebi.
Its better to use the form to state your budget and other priorities in selecting a laptop aka mobile workstation.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/what-should-i-buy-form-must-read-before-posting.29271/

 

CPU support is one thing, but not having a working sound card, network interface, non-working RAID, WIFI, BlueTooth, USB ports or viewing in plain VGA support leaves a lot to be desired with the overall experience. Best to do the research on these other components (not just memory/cpu) before making a purchase.

@Juhele - Perhaps some research may help lead you to your final purchase - http://www.techradar.com/news/the-5-best-linux-laptops-of-2017

And you can always go with something like https://system76.com/laptops with Ubuntu (perhaps other's can opine on Pop!_os) or figure out which Clevo or make/model they're using in their builds.

Good Luck.

 

@ jclausius

Thanks for your reply. However system76 is not possible - they do not have official EU seller and warranty so my boss definitely will not allow it. It is sad because the Gazelle 15″ looks really good.

You are also right that the CPU support is not the main problem - I am more concerned about wifi card support and also things like keyboard backlight (it would be stupid to have backlit keyboard but cannot use it).

OK, I will also ask in the linux community what they use.

 

Wifi, GPU drivers, NVMe support, Battery life are very good in Linux. For keyboard lighting you must Windows to control backlighting once and for all and settings persist.
Have you checked Obsidian PCs https://www.obsidian-pc.com/en/home-clevo-topstar

 

Then it should merely be a matter of determining what make and model System76 is using and then finding a boutique that you're comfortable which sells the same Clevo, Compal, MSI or whatever the make/model.

Another thought... If the issue is warranty and support, you may want to check if System76 offers some type of Global warranty package. I know @Phoenix has had them on his MSI and past Clevo systems, and believe he doesn't have many regrets. Perhaps he can share his experience.