I'm running a Thinkpad P1 Gen 3. It's built for workstation purposes (has a dedicated NVIDIA GPU branded as "Quadro" though VRAM is limited). It's got a 10th gen Intel CPU and so far it's been working great with Manjaro. I especially like the upgradeability of the RAM (added 16GB to make it 32GB, can switch to 32+32 in the future) and the ability to use two (replaceable) M.2 SSDs, which is something fewer and fewer "professional" laptops come with. The built-in fingerprint reader (which works well with Linux!) is a nice bonus. The trackpad is nice, the keyboard is good, the screen is 1080p with 4k as an option for more expensive models. GNOME's performance switcher (power saving/balanced/performance) works with the motherboard as of a year or so ago.
One thing I had to fix manually was the use of the special function keys (Fn+F9/10/11). I had to map them manually by adding some config to /lib/udev/hwdb.d/60-keyboard.hwdb mapping the scan codes I found by running evtest to the right key codes manually. Not a problem if you never use Fn+F9/10/11 to answer calls or open chat, but I just wanted them to work.
I have some issues, though I suspect my setup is to blame. Sometimes Linux doesn't boot when GDM takes control of the display. Haven't bothered figuring that one out yet. Nvidia's hardware is also a problem child as always; the external display runs through the Nvidia GPU, massively increasing heat and power draw the moment I hook up an external display. If you don't plan on doing simulations or playing games, I'd recommend staying clear of models with an Nvidia GPU, if you can.
Fan noise is very annoying in Windows, where it'll spin up for no good reason unless you put it in the slowest power saving mode. In Linux this isn't an issue, though your experience may differ depending on your choice of distro and power configuration.
I imagine the 12th gen Intel chips will blow this thing out of the water in terms of performance, but I plan on sticking with this laptop for a few years at least. It's more than fast enough.
As a bonus, I've heard good things about their extended warranty. Over here, they'll send parts ahead and then send a tech out to replace them for you. Someone I know had a touchpad that stopped working well and although it was probably a five minute fix with a standard screwdriver, they still sent a tech over to do the fix for him. Took maybe two or three days for everything to be done here but I've heard varying stories about their timeliness from different countries.
One thing I had to fix manually was the use of the special function keys (Fn+F9/10/11). I had to map them manually by adding some config to /lib/udev/hwdb.d/60-keyboard.hwdb mapping the scan codes I found by running evtest to the right key codes manually. Not a problem if you never use Fn+F9/10/11 to answer calls or open chat, but I just wanted them to work.
I have some issues, though I suspect my setup is to blame. Sometimes Linux doesn't boot when GDM takes control of the display. Haven't bothered figuring that one out yet. Nvidia's hardware is also a problem child as always; the external display runs through the Nvidia GPU, massively increasing heat and power draw the moment I hook up an external display. If you don't plan on doing simulations or playing games, I'd recommend staying clear of models with an Nvidia GPU, if you can.
Fan noise is very annoying in Windows, where it'll spin up for no good reason unless you put it in the slowest power saving mode. In Linux this isn't an issue, though your experience may differ depending on your choice of distro and power configuration.
I imagine the 12th gen Intel chips will blow this thing out of the water in terms of performance, but I plan on sticking with this laptop for a few years at least. It's more than fast enough.
As a bonus, I've heard good things about their extended warranty. Over here, they'll send parts ahead and then send a tech out to replace them for you. Someone I know had a touchpad that stopped working well and although it was probably a five minute fix with a standard screwdriver, they still sent a tech over to do the fix for him. Took maybe two or three days for everything to be done here but I've heard varying stories about their timeliness from different countries.