If a MacBook Pro runs hot or shows high kernel CPU, try charging it on the right

Re:If a MacBook Pro runs hot or shows high kernel CPU, try c... by gen220 on Thursday April 23, 2020 @03:14PM (#22959904)

Linux laptops are a mixed bag, to say the least. One-off "precision tuned" (vs commodity) hardware is often to blame. In general, if you want a stable linux laptop experience, you should be buying old. It's not very attractive, but it is sustainable -- which is it's own kind of attractive! :)

In general, my experience using debian-based distros as a laptop driver have been more or less frictionless. I use an older lenovo thinkpad (x1 carbon, 1st generation, purchased for like $200 secondhand a year and a half ago).

In general, thinkpads have a reputation for having a plug+play linux experience, once you boot for the first time. I'd recommend giving them a try before throwing in the towel, if you have any patience in reserve.

You can get pre-owned (older=more stable linux support) t-series thinkpads with very nice specs, especially if you're willing to trade off display resolution. Plus the parts that die (batteries, ram) are all commodity and replaceable, you could presumably run with the same laptop for a decade, if you're in to that sort of thing.

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Re:If a MacBook Pro runs hot or shows high kernel CPU, try c... by celicaraptor on Thursday April 23, 2020 @04:53PM (#22961248)

Hi, i have a Thinkpad L450 and when i was looking at switching to Ubuntu on my laptop, i saw that it had worse batery life than windows,i don't remember how much,maybe 10-15%?Do you have any experience on that?Battery life is pretty important for when i take my laptop on courses(not anymore eh)

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Re:If a MacBook Pro runs hot or shows high kernel CPU, try c... by snazz on Thursday April 23, 2020 @07:45PM (#22962981)

TLP can be very effective. Have you tried it?

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Re:If a MacBook Pro runs hot or shows high kernel CPU, try c... by celicaraptor on Friday April 24, 2020 @11:21AM (#22968916)

I did try it,however i do not remember if it made any difference.Perhaps i didn't configure it properly?

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Re:If a MacBook Pro runs hot or shows high kernel CPU, try c... by gen220 on Thursday April 23, 2020 @08:49PM (#22963442)

I’d say give it a try. My experience has always diverged from the stated norms on battery life in all devices and contexts, but maybe my usage patterns are abnormal.

If you’re using simpler programs (Firefox, terminal), your battery life should be great. I usually get four hours of heavy vim use with WiFi etc all on, on a battery that’s 75% capacity. YMMV.

It’s not a mbp level, but I imagine it’s fairly similar to what windows would draw. Maybe better.

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Re:If a MacBook Pro runs hot or shows high kernel CPU, try c... by read_if_gay_ on Thursday April 23, 2020 @03:18PM (#22959966)

This actually is a ThinkPad :(

It’s a new X390 Yoga though. Maybe they’ve dropped the ball a little, it definitely matches my friends’ experience that the more traditional models are pretty stable.

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Re:If a MacBook Pro runs hot or shows high kernel CPU, try c... by gen220 on Thursday April 23, 2020 @06:58PM (#22962560)

Sorry to hear this. Yeah, it’s probably a matter of getting an older one. The newer ones are trying to compete with surfaces and mbp, and it’s been painful to watch :/

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Re:If a MacBook Pro runs hot or shows high kernel CPU, try c... by karlgrz on Thursday April 23, 2020 @03:58PM (#22960460)

Anecdotal evidence but I've had a great experience with the first gen X1 Extreme 4K and running ubuntu 18.04.

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Re:If a MacBook Pro runs hot or shows high kernel CPU, try c... by nullobject on Friday April 24, 2020 @02:27AM (#22965232)

I recentely ordered the X1 Extreme v2 and I am rediculously excited. It's my first non-Apple laptop in 20 years.

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