cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/39088745
Lenovo or ASUS? Trying to figure out which laptop to go with.
Which company has a better reputation (in quality, privacy...), or are they both bad?
EDIT: I have come to the conclusion that both Lenovo and ASUS are extremely terrible, anyone who sees this post should go straight to framework laptop
52 Comments
brokenwing@discuss.tchncs.de · 16 pts · 269d
Lenovo is cheaper than ASUS. Also I feel their Linux support is better than Asus's. Recently installed an EndeavourOS on my friend's Lenovo, and every single thing is working as expected.
happeningtofry99158@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 269d
I thought ASUS was cheaper than Lenovo. To me, ASUS is better known as a brand that offers good value and more affordable options. and Lenovo like Legion is usually more expensive
Jakeroxs@sh.itjust.works · 11 pts · 269d
Lenovo is generally cheaper then Asus, but they both have high end brands for gaming, Legion vs ROG
brokenwing@discuss.tchncs.de · 7 pts · 269d
No. Lenovo is really good. Try buying on Black Friday or Christmas, they usually have offers. Also Lenovo has 'Build your own spec' kind thing for all their models. These are even cheaper. Also if you're buying through their website, try staying in their cart page before checkout for about 5 mins, sometimes they will give you a small discount coupon, fearing you're indecisive.
happeningtofry99158@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 269d
thanks!
happeningtofry99158@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 269d
Good to know! thanks!
Lyubo@lemmy.ml · 15 pts · 269d
I think Lenovo has the worst with their spyware and adware built into their BIOS. Video from Louis Rossmann I have very bad experience with Lenovo's business laptops hardware and software but Asus laptops aren't very different either. Asus' quality control seems to be garbage and their customer service even more garbage. Choose your enemy.
Or go with Framework if possible. ⚙️✨
naitro@lemmy.world · 10 pts · 268d
AFAIK the ad/spyware wasn't BIOS level, it was "only" bundled with the preinstalled windows. Also, while it doesn't exonerate lenovo, the spyware doesn't exist anymore.
happeningtofry99158@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 269d
Lost faith in all of them, framework is the best
XTL@sopuli.xyz · 1 pts · 267d
https://community.frame.work/t/framework-supporting-far-right-racists/75986
happeningtofry99158@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 267d
I guess don't buy a laptop then 🥲
This doesn't seem like a deal breaker though, they are simply supporting another open source project they want to use, that's all I'm reading from the post.
XTL@sopuli.xyz · 2 pts · 266d
Up to each one to decide, really. Fw had really interesting products and seem to treat Linux as a first class citizen.
The CEOs non-answer and amazingly loud continuing support to a pointless script by a known problem developer is weird and unfortunate. Monetarily small, but visually loud, as these things tend to be.
happeningtofry99158@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 267d
Twongo@lemmy.ml · 10 pts · 269d
As a ThinkPad User i am biased...
Lfrith@lemmy.ca · 6 pts · 268d
happeningtofry99158@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 269d
@Lyubo@lemmy.ml
Don't know if this is true, but I have decided to go with framework
Twongo@lemmy.ml · 3 pts · 269d
and i doubt you made an uninformed decision :)
my advice would've been a 10yr old thinkpad with coreboot - which won't work for everyone
CocaineShrimp@sh.itjust.works · 8 pts · 269d
IMO, Lenovo. Have had Lenovos in the past, no issues. I know someone who had an ASUS and the hinge broke. Also, don't go through Staples - their warranty is garbage.
happeningtofry99158@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 269d
thanks!
Mangoholic@lemmy.ml · 7 pts · 268d
Get a nice Xiaomi laptop, install your favorite Linux distro on them. You will have an amazing build quality, oled screen and hardware for an unbeatable price. The closet thing would be a MacBook pro at 4x the price.
SchwertImStein@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 4 pts · 268d
First time I see anyone recommending that
WbrJr@lemmy.ml · 1 pts · 267d
Which would you recommendend? I could just find the xiaomi book 14, which has a 12the gen i5. Not too impressive, depending on waht you want to do
Mangoholic@lemmy.ml · 1 pts · 266d
True, i haven't looked at the recent lineup. They seemed to have dropped some of the pro models. I have the mi notebook pro 2 2023. It had dedicated graphics. If you need graphics power they might be the wrong choice.
monovergent@lemmy.ml · 6 pts · 269d
Lenovo's ThinkPad line has a sterling reputation. Among the best in terms of quality, service, repairability, and Linux support.
As for the largely consumer-grade options of ASUS and Lenovo's consumer-grade IdeaPads, they're rather similar in reputation and quality. Not exceptional, but they're both perfectly fine options as long as you avoid the budget laptop segment (plastic chassis, broken hinges, etc.)
Any difference in privacy would come down to the pre-installed software, which is irrelevant if you plan on using Linux. If you will be using Windows, it's always better to install your own fresh copy to purge any potential spyware and bloatware installed by the manufacturer. The activation key for whichever edition of Windows it comes with is embedded in the BIOS, so it'll activate automatically after a fresh reinstall.
happeningtofry99158@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 269d
@Lyubo@lemmy.ml
Don't know if this is true, but I have decided to go with framework
monovergent@lemmy.ml · 3 pts · 268d
Interesting, had no idea until now that there's such a thing as first-party malware loaded with the BIOS. Admittedly I'm caught in an ivory tower with my Corebooted ThinkPad. Although I haven't purchased one yet, I'd say you made the right choice going with Framework.
Lyubo@lemmy.ml · 2 pts · 265d
Quality and repairable decreased after Lenovo bought ThinkPad from IBM around 2005 and especially after T480 model (T4xx series). In my opinion the newer modes are using the lagacy of the old ThinkPads without being anything like the old ThinkPads except maybe for good Linux support but I'm not sure for the newest models.
monis@ttrpg.network · 6 pts · 269d
Probably lenovo.
Asus' products are overpriced because a lot of times you end up paying extra for cringe aesthetic.
happeningtofry99158@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 269d
thanks!
CrypticCoffee@lemmy.ml · 3 pts · 268d
I have bought both Lenovo and Asus multiple times. I always felt I got more for my money with ASUS. Never used customer support though. In UK, we have a 1 year electronics warranty with retailer so can take straight back if any problems.
happeningtofry99158@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 267d
Thanks, but I have come to the conclusion that both Lenovo and ASUS are extremely terrible, anyone who sees this post should go straight to framework laptop
🥲
moonpiedumplings@programming.dev · 3 pts · 267d
Both have products with varying degrees of quality. Don't follow companies around, follow specific named model lines instead.
happeningtofry99158@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 267d
thanks!
Tenderizer78@lemmy.ml · 2 pts · 269d
I use a Lenovo Thinkpad T495s, and everything works fine ... except for the fact they put the "fn" key where "ctrl" should be. I'm also not at all a fan of the USB-C charging port.
happeningtofry99158@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 269d
@Lyubo@lemmy.ml
Don't know if this is true, but I have decided to go with framework
PrivateNoob@sopuli.xyz · 2 pts · 269d
Idunno, but in terms of Lenovo just stay with the thinkpads.
I know it's an anecdotal evidence, but my friend bought a Lenovo Ideapad (or some other non-thinkpad), where the motherboard just died (he couldn't boot at all) so it was replaced under warranty. Just before the end of warranty, the same issue arisen so it was replaced again, and I kid you not this new motherboard died AGAIN.
happeningtofry99158@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 269d
@Lyubo@lemmy.ml
Don't know if this is true, but I have decided to go with framework
cerebralhawks@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 2 pts · 269d
I like Asus. They’re older than people think. They used to be Pegasus but they sucked then. So they rebranded. I’ve had nothing but good luck from a laptop they made plus a bunch of parts I built PCs with.
Lenovo is Chinese and they bought Motorola and part of IBM I think? So they have some good stuff. But I’m more familiar with Asus and I like what they’ve made.
happeningtofry99158@lemmy.world · 0 pts · 269d
thanks!
madcaesar@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 266d
Never be loyal to companies. Ever.
That said, I've usually had good experience with Asus motherboards and the routers have served me well as well. Being able to throw merlin on them was very important to me.
happeningtofry99158@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 261d
thanks!
AnarchoEngineer@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 1 pts · 269d
If you go with Lenovo make sure to get one with a real barrel power jack not just a USB-C. Several models with only USBC are plagued by multiple problems from possibly frying the board to mosfets literally coming unsoldered.
I bought one with those issues. It’s still a great laptop, but it stopped charging till I took it apart and did a hack soldering job shorting the mosfets lol
happeningtofry99158@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 269d
thanks for the tip!
carzian@lemmy.ml · -2 pts · 269d
Framework if you have the money. Otherwise Dell.
Every single lenovo product that isn't a thinkpad is a nightmare to repair. Their keyboards are plastic rivited in place, so you have to swap out the entire top half of the chassis to replace the keyboard. I've had unending issues with their ideapad line motherboards. That laptop went through two replacement motherboards and was out of commission for months. The build quality of their all-in-one is terrible and you have to do a complete disassembly to add ram. I say this as someone who had to do small business IT. I have fixed 4 separate models from them and each one had terrible build quality. Also, dont forget about the superfish scandal.
Asus is fine. I and several friends have had many of their laptops. Though one of my friends had the motherboard on his TUF line completely died out of no where.
Dell's build quality and repairablitity remains solid. Easy to source replacement parts. Good Linux support. I've had the fewest problems with their hardware
Also checkout framework if you have the money. Good stuff from them. Really how laptops should be. Each part has it's own qr code so you can immediately identify it and get a replacement if needed. It's amazing.
iturnedintoanewt@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 269d
Except the Dells now might have HEVC hardware decoding disabled at OS level to save a few licensing bucks.
FauxLiving@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 269d
How are they getting Linus to agree to such a thing?
iturnedintoanewt@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 268d
I'm not sure it's disabled in Linux. Might be a BIOS 'feature'.
happeningtofry99158@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 269d
yeah framework is amazing!
carzian@lemmy.ml · 2 pts · 268d
You made a good choice!
MadMadBunny@lemmy.ca · -6 pts · 269d
Lenovo is a former branch of IBM. Lenovo.
MachineFab812@discuss.tchncs.de · 5 pts · 269d
No they're not. IBM sold the brand and supply chain off. Not sure how many employees were kept, transfered, or axed, but the concensus has long been that it wasn't enough to justify your claim.
MadMadBunny@lemmy.ca · -1 pts · 268d
IBM had their ThinkPad laptops line until 2005. They sold it off, the entire PC business, which was a part of IBM, to Lenovo, a Chinese company. Lenovo bought the laptop designs, the tech, all, except the IBM name, obviously.
I never mentioned anything about employees, but if you know anything about how manufacturing companies with production lines work, well, then you’ll know how all assets, including employees with their know-how and experience, are transferred to the new company when sold. Whether they remain with time is another matter.
I do know what I am talking about.
You can read more about it here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ThinkPad
MachineFab812@discuss.tchncs.de · 0 pts · 268d
That was 20 years ago. Few, if any of those employees would still be with the company today. "Knowing" means nothing to the passage of time, particularly in the tech sector.
MadMadBunny@lemmy.ca · -1 pts · 268d
What are you even arguing about!?
You know what nevermind…