Framework 13 AMD running PopOS no issues. It’s great.

https://linux-hardware.org/

this resrource was a blessing for me. You can search for laptop models and see exactly what works/doesn't work under which distro.

I highly recommend Framework laptops for Linux. I have not used the Framework 16, but I can attest that Linux support for the Framework 13 (intel 11th & 12th gen) is excellent. I have used Fedora on the Intel 11th gen and Intel 12th gen, everything worked immediately on a fresh install without any workarounds or issues. Other distros might require a few package installs, but Fedora, Ubuntu, and Ubuntu derivatives should work out-of-the-box without any additional configuration. The Arch Wiki article for the Framework covers pretty much everything you might need to know to have an optimized Linux experience with any distro.

Aside from Framework's excellent Linux support, I really have to stress how cool and unique it is as a laptop for developers and tinkerers. This thing is literally designed to be opened up, repaired, and modded. All of the internal components are clearly labeled and easily accessible, there's even a little spot inside the laptop chassis just for spare screws in case a screw ever gets lost! Another awesome obscure feature of this laptop is the ability to use a Storage Expansion Card for dual booting. I just plug in the expansion card to boot into Windows, then unplug it and I'm back in Linux. It is absolute bliss compared to Windows and Linux sharing a bootloader.

I know I'm rambling, but I really could keep going on and on about Frameworks. They truly are unlike any other laptop, in all the right ways.

Framework would be my first choice if I could afford it. Grab yourself an amd thinkpad from ebay

Framework is QA'd so much exactly for this purpose. Read their dev notes and announcements. Fantastic. You'll have to wait in line awhile though.

The framework 16 is a gaming laptop. The framework 13 should be enough for your needs.

The Framework 13 inch model should be plenty, especially if you want to dev on the go. Much more lightweight and smaller, and you can connect it to external monitors if the screen size is not big enough. Also, you shouldn't have issues running Linux on either laptops.

Instead of going for the 16 version, I would use the extra 900-1000 euros (that's the amount I saw I could save between the two almost maxed-out models) to make a dedicated server or mini-cluster to run your workloads. Deploy Kubernetes or Proxmox on it, and you'll also get some more practice on it outside work if you want to run stuff for your home lab. That is only if you don't want to game on your laptop, but I'd still put that money aside to make a desktop.

Not the Framework 16, but I've used the Framework 13 for 2 years now and have lived it with Ubuntu. I believe Fedora was also mentioned on the Linux support page back then, although I was just getting into Linux at that point so my memory could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure. I haven't used Fedora personally but I think it would be absolutely fine on the Framework 16.

My next Laptop will be Pangolin 15' from System76. A bit on the expensive side, but the unlimited support and the right to repair make it worth it. Following the specs, so you can have a look.

Processor: AMD Ryzen™ 7 7735U: 2.7 up to 4.75 GHz - 8 Cores - 16 Threads • Screen: 15.6″ 1920×1080 FHD, Matte Finish, 144 Hz • Graphic: AMD Radeon™ 680M • Ram: 32 GB LPDDR5 up to 6400 MHz • Storage: 2 x M.2 SSD(PCIe NVMe). Up to 16TB total. • Expansion: 3 × USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 1 × USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, SD Card Reader • Networking: Gigabit Ethernet, WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2 • Video Ports: HDMI 2.0, USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C w/ DisplayPort 1.4 • Security: Kensington® Lock, Hardware Camera Kill Switch • Battery: Li-Ion - 70 Wh • Dimensions: 14.59″ × 9.76″ × 0.71″ (37.06 × 24.79 × 1.80 cm) • Weight: 1.79Kg • Price: 1,199US$

Like is not PRO, because you can do some light gaming on it, but definitely a good machine in my opinion.

I don't have any experience with Tuxedo or Framework, so I can't really comment on those 😅

I have definitely heard Lenovo ThinkPads are great though, and I'm currently rocking a Lenovo Legion Slim 7 which has been fantastic so far (albeit I JUST got it and I'm rolling Windows on it with WSL2 Debian, so not exactly a pure Linux experience).

My first choice would be a Framework, second choice System76.

If you don't want a clevo/tongfang laptop with a custom logo on the lid, look at Framework, Starlabs, Purism, Dell or Lenovo, though the last two don't offer Linux on most models.

If you don't really care about the OEM, but still want a "guaranteed" good Linux experience, then System76, Tuxedo or Slimbook should fit your needs. Just consider that Slimbook and Tuxedo are from Europe so you could get duties if you're in the US

Id go with the framework 13 or the xps14 developer edition which comes with Linux and is heavily tested

Want things to work really well and last that way? Get an HP EliteBook (not the latest model) and enjoy.

I have a 1st Gen Framework and don't recommend it.

Battery life in standby is TERRIBLE, we are talking 40% overnight (after optimizations) and very rarely the notebook wakes up randomly.

The build-quality is better than cheaper laptops, but definitely worse than my old Thinkpad. Although the keyboard is better than many consumer laptops, it feels a lot mushier than my Thinkpad's. Several keys have lost their cover already and the display hinges are wobbly & feel cheap. I also got small spot with burn-in on the display. After 2 years the Framework looks worse than my 6-year-old X1 Yoga.

Linux support is okay, most things work out of the box. However, it's far from perfect and absolutely not a First Class experience. For example, there is currently no way to get the most recent BIOS via Linux and apparently we are months away from a solution. In Fedora 39 Silverblue I experience very rare freezes (according to Arch Wiki this is due to Intel and not a Framework-exclusive problem, I still want to mention it).

My next laptop will be a new or used Thinkpad again.