GTX 1080 Laptop for GNU/Linux

I am planning on getting a GTX 1080 laptop for my work (I am a computational neurobiologist), and also rendering and gaming. I am not sure if I am going to be in the UK or in the US, as I have not received my posting yet, but specialist hardware in both zones (Sys 76 in US and Tuxedo in EU) seems a bit overpriced. I am wondering what the firmware and driver support are like in the new MSI, Alienware 17 and Asus ROG laptops are like? Anyone has any experience with them?

Here are the models I have in mind:

ASUS G703GI

MSI GT75VR

Alienware 17

Also what's the support like from Tuxedo Computers? It's hard to find many reviews of them online.

 

S76 and Tuxedo only make preimaged linux for their Clevos. So you're overpaying for absolute garbage Clevo QC and their own OS.

If you are ok with installing linux on your own and you want good QC on internal assembly and heatsink components, you can buy from @John@OBSIDIAN-PC (Clevo, EU, prema bios on request).



Not sure about the support for those laptops you listed.

 

We do not have prema bios, we make our own versions.
As for Linux support we can pre-install any distro
And as soon as we end the development of our apps for windows we will start developing for Linux (not that there is a real need for apps in Linux...)

 

Thanks for your response! Although you are not quite right about pre-imaged distros only! They do do that, but they also provide customized and self-programmed driver packages and firmware-level support. Dell does the firmware too, but not on their powerful laptops. Both Sys 76 and Tuxedo also provide options for other distros -- Sys 76 provides Pop and Ubuntu, while Tux provides Ubuntu, Mint, OpenSuse and Elementary!

Thanks for the Obsidian PC link. I posted a question on their forum, but never heard back.

 

What's the driver suppport on your laptops like? I can always install my own, of course, but the reason I was looking at Sys 76 and Tux were primarily because I am extremely busy and for my professional work I need the GPUs to perform at their peak. The reason I am going for a GTX over Quadro is the tensor flow... I need the GPU to be able to render and visualize magnetic imaging data with a parameter and perspective change window of about 10-15 milisecond, real-time.

With Sys 76 and Tux every single bit of the hardware works out of the box! Is it the same with Obsidian? I am thinking BIOS level GNU/Linux-friendliness (switching off optimus), firmware and driver customization etc.?

 

What you'd expect from a standard Clevo chassis. They'll use standard Linux-based images for installation.

No.

Yes, and with a steep markup, especially in the case of System76 and its' why I do not recommend them. Their drivers apply workarounds that you can do yourself, save for the firmware updates they issue.

Tuxedo, on the other hand, is very friendly towards Linux, going as far as providing repositories for their WMI drivers, fan control and keyboard backlight control on Linux.

If you need specific help regarding Linux on Clevo hardware, do reach out.

 

Clevo doesn't have optimus on their model with desktop CPUs afaik.

 

There is. Particularly revolving around hardware support. Pretty niche, and these companies that have taken this dive are reaping their profits. Dell, System76, Purism's Librem, et al, and association with the likes of the LVFS that weighs in on procurement decisions.

 

Agreed! They charge a steep premium, but they do contribute to the spread of Free Software! So, rightfully, they are reaping the reward. My old lab at Sydney just ordered 75 Thelio Major desktops and over 150 Serval WS laptops from System 76, purely because the hardware support minimizes the time their scientists have to spend making sure all their hardware is functioning as they should!

I probably won't get a Sys 76, because.... well, try importing something that costs that much to the EU! The experience will change your life!