HP Dev One Linux Laptop Review: The Best for Linux

HP’s newest Linux laptop computer sees the pc maker collaborating with erstwhile competitor (or at the very least, fellow Linux laptop computer maker) System76. It looks like an odd combo, provided that System76 makes its personal competing laptops, however the collaboration works.

The Dev One is a really good Linux machine that packs sufficient punch for builders or creatives with out hitting top-tier laptop computer costs. Even extra spectacular is the work HP and System76 have put into making Linux work completely with the AMD chipset.

Combining HP’s {hardware} capabilities and business expertise with System76’s Pop!_OS desktop has produced the very best all-around Linux laptop computer you should buy proper now.

HP Hardware

In a refreshing change from how most laptops are bought lately, there is just one mannequin of the Dev One. Another good contact is that it will get a devoted web site, which makes ordering easy. Dell, are you listening?

The Dev One prices $1,100, which will get you a 14-inch laptop computer with a 1,000-nit 1080p display, an AMD Ryzen 7 5850 chip, built-in Radeon graphics, 16 gigabytes of RAM, and a 1-terabyte NVMe M.2 2280 SSD. The RAM and SSD are user-upgradable (RAM assist caps at 64 gigabytes). Getting into the elements is easy. There are simply 5 screws between you and any upgrades you wish to make. The nearest Windows model of this identical laptop computer will get a 9 out of 10 on iFixit’s repairability scale.

As the title suggests, the Dev One is aimed on the developer viewers, very like Dell’s XPS 13 Developer Edition. Despite the names although, these are actually simply laptops with Linux preinstalled. The Dev One will work nicely for virtually any activity, developer-related or in any other case. Don’t let the phrase “developer” within the title deter you in the event you’re not one.

That mentioned, I did put the Dev One by some developer-type duties. I arrange a Python growth surroundings, which was no bother, due to the in depth repositories Pop!_OS gives, and I ran benchmark exams geared towards developer duties (i.e., CPU- and RAM-intensive duties). The Dev One labored nicely for all these items. It was no slouch at enhancing 4K video both, due to that AMD chip. If benchmarks are your factor, take a look on the exams Phoronix posted on OpenBenchmarking.org. The outcomes are spectacular. The Dev One runs circles round lots of its Intel-based rivals.

Photograph: HP

I’ll be trustworthy—when the Dev One first arrived, I used to be not instantly impressed. The design is conservative, which I suppose is becoming for the developer viewers. It’s not unattractive, it is simply no standout. This isn’t any XPS 13 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) in terms of design. Still the Dev One feels very nicely constructed, and is a lot transportable at 3.24 kilos. It’s thicker than the extra svelte choices on the market, however one factor I do love is how simple it’s to open. There’s nothing worse than a laptop computer you’ve pry open with a fingernail, however the Dev One has loads of room, due to its beveled entrance edge.