I use Arch btw
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Shopping for a laptop as a Linux user:
Screenshot from the Simpsons where Otto is talking to Marge and Homer standing next to a window in their house with a caption "Oh wow, windows!... I don't think I can afford this place."
Oh wow linux laptop, so cheap, while I appreciate their existence, if you're on a budget an old (t480,t440p) lenovo will do fine for most purposes, otherwise build a desktop.
Check out system76
A little overpriced but nice hardware and support
I've got a System76 Pangolin. It's ok for the price (a bit pricey).I'm going with frame.work next though - while frame.work is even pricier, the upgradability is to die for.
Last three laptops I've bought, the Windows install never saw the light of day.
Buy used ThinkPad.
Even new Lenovo laptops can usually be bought direct without Windows
Check out TUXEDO
Lenovo has official support for Ubuntu on all laptops which translates very well to other distros. IMO the Thinkbook gen 6 having fully upgradable ram and decent specs is a really good deal for a Linux laptop *when on sale
Yet they don't sell laptops without windows in my country.
Buy a second hand machine, try before buying, choose a ThinkPad. Mine is going strong 5 years now, daily work driver.
Get a Framework. You won't be disappointed.
Framework is selling their previous gen over production b-stock at $500 now.
But they have been good so far providing upgradability in their first gen products to the 2nd gen.
You can save a heap of money when it's time to upgrade.
Are you only looking for a laptop? Others have said a lot about it. I want to add that in desktop\net-top\mini-pc markets it's easier to encounter no-OS solutions. Some of them are very cheap and small, that small you can mount them behind a monitor and call it a day. I'm sorry if it's not up your lane.
I had 2 (actully much more) options when buying my laptop. Good laptop with windows or a liitle better laptop without windows for 200€ less.
It's sad when you figure out why most people are broke.
I would say "install unregistered windows, run MAS," but unfortunately we can't expect that to be common knowledge. And, if it were common knowledge, MAS probably wouldn't exist anymore either.
You could try getting a Chromebook and installing whatever distro you want on there? I know it doesn’t avoid the pre-installed spyware, but at least it’s free so you’re not loosing money paying for a license. And Chromebooks these days are made in a wide range from very inexpensive to sorta-premium.