Advice for Artists

Hardware Support
1

I have an old recon Thinkpad T480 that I bought specifically to try out Linux (specifically Zorin). It works great and is now my Microslop-free 'daily driver'.

I am now looking for a laptop to use for graphic design. at the moment I have a Samsung Book running windows - specifically for Affinity and Clip Studio Paint. These are the only two programs I need - I have no desire to use Adobe Products. I have had some success in getting both to run in Zorin, but cannot fully test them, as the T480 is not powerful enough.
(The often suggested native Linux alternatives are really not up to the job IMO)

I am currently considering a (reconditioned) Lenovo Yoga 7 14ARB7. Does anyone have any opinions on this (or a better suggestion)?

Here are my main requirements:

  1. 2-in-1 Laptop that I can use in tablet mode (for drawing).
  2. Not to expensive (in case Affinity & CSP do not work out on Linux - at least I can then use it an an upgrade to the T480).
  3. Powerful enough to run this software.

Subsidiary requirement:
Good drawing experience (touch screen and pen).
(this would be nice, but not essential, as I have an XPPen tablet)

Any thoughts?

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2

I would suggest you the brand I bought but I don't know if it fit your budget.
https://slimbook.com/en/

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3

Thanks for the reply - the link took me to the site, but not a specific model - I could not find any 2-in-1 laptops there. This is my fault, as I did not specify this in my original post, which I will now amend.

4

I thought I read somewhere recently where a Yoga got bricked by someone trying to put GNU/Linux on it.

5

this is just 1 experience, but I bought a Yoga once and it broke after two weeks for no obvious reason - I would not recommend them even though the concept seems great... sorry I can't be of more help

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6

You both may be right. I found these two related posts on on Github:

It seems that there are problems with the Yoga on Linux

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7

The problem is not Lenovo itself but the hardware they put in. If the hardware support is poor for Linux you will have problems

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8

Could You specifiy this a bit more with a Price Range maybe?

9

The answer is 'as little as possible'. :grimacing:

As a ballpark figure the Yoga is going for £520 (recon)

So, this is a feasibility experiment. I am prepared to spend a little to see how far I can go in getting my core programs working on Linux. I am committed do do all I can to cut all ties with Microslop.

If it does not work out (pretty high probability) - The laptop will be an upgrade for my for my T480 - but really, the T480 works just great for general stuff. So, you can see why I want to keep the cost down.

10

Forgot to ask about the Screen Size. How big should the Screen be?

11

My question could be "why you don't upgrade your T480 with more RAM" ?

12

@Nourpon

Because:
Ram Prices
I want to use it as a drawing tablet (touch screen and pen).

13

Not really that important. I am ok with the T480 screen size - if the screen gets too big, it becomes difficult to manage for drawing.

Also, I do have external screens and tablets (indeed I have spent most of today (unsuccessfully) trying to get one connected).

14

Okay, after a quick Search, maybe HP Omnibook Flip could be something. New they might be above Your Price Range but maybe, You can find a used one what is a bit cheaper. Beside this, I saw some Lenovo IdeaPad 2-in-1 Laptops. Again: New a bit over Your Price Range but maybe You can find a used one.

15

Thanks - I am kinda put off by the Omnibook's 'AI 5 340 Processor' - as an artist (and as a human) I am pretty anti-AI. Not sure I want it baked into the hardware!

I think I may be asking too complex of a question - as it is not just a matter of hardware, but of external devices and drivers. i.e. there seems to be a lot of problems with 360, or 2in1 laptops working with Linux. Also, drivers for graphic tablets/displays are more than a little problematical. On top of that (as previously mentioned) software is also an issue.

It pains me to say this, but I think I need to keep my Samsung Book running windows - just for graphics work. Everything else, I have running just fine in Zorin. My plan is to use windows only when I have to - and everything else on my Linux Thinkpad. To be honest, this is panning out ok - I am on Linux about 80% of the time - and working to bump that % up.

I am sure the day will arrive where everything 'just works' on Linux - but there is a road to get there.

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16

That means that there is an NPU built-in - for the Case someone want use AI. But it is only the Processor for it.

17

Thanks for the explanation (I still have an image of a tiny robot carrying a spy-glass and tinkering with my hardware - the age we live in fosters paranoia).

I am still keeping the Windows laptop running for now - with the intention of gradual migration - my next step is to explore bottles and other solutions for running windows programs. Then there is the matter of being sure that the laptop runs well as a 360 or 2 in 1 (more research needed). Then a matter of getting graphics tablets working.
It's testament to commitment that I am prepared to leave a (poisoned) OS that 'just works' - and put all the time in to get things working here.

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18

When that Way of Action works for You, it's fine.

19

Well I did end up getting a Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Touch i7 8650U 16GB RAM 512GB SSD.
It should be arriving today.
I am going to use this to install Linux (Zorin being my preferred distro - but this depends on driver support - although I am sure that if the drivers exist, I can get them running on Zorin).
I have both Affinity and Clip Studio working in a virtual environment, so I will now be able to test their viability on the Yoga. Hopefully, my Windows laptop will stay in its case!

Thanks everyone for you constructive comments and suggestions.

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