08-04-2023, 01:47 PM
i feel uncomfortable categorizing any Linux device as "entry-level" bc it feels (to me) that Linux isn't exactly entry-level. However, as far as having a device that boots right into Linux fresh out of the box, with most features working and little required by the end-user, I think it would be fair to say the modern PBP fits that bill.
IIRC, current PBPs are shipped with Manjaro ARM preinstalled, and your first boot will put you directly into the first-time boot user setup. Nearly everything you need for updating and maintaining the OS does have a GUI app to make things easier.
If you don't like Manjaro and want to replace it, it is fairly easy to do. Though, depending on your replacement OS choice, that can change from easy to intermediately challenging. Sometimes there's extra hoops to jump through (at least in my opinion) compared to Linux on x86_64, as sometimes things that work for everyone else won't work for you until they just do. lol However, if this is your gateway Linux device, troubleshooting those issues will give you a bit of a leg up if you decide to start spreading the love of Linux to other devices/architectures you may have.
An important thing to note, since you mentioned specs already, is that there are certainly tasks where the PBP isn't going to have the oomph needed to complete them. If you expect to need a computer to handle anything you throw at it, an x86_64 Linux laptop (like System76 or the like) might be a better choice. Essentially, it's not going to shine as a primary/only-owned device.
IIRC, current PBPs are shipped with Manjaro ARM preinstalled, and your first boot will put you directly into the first-time boot user setup. Nearly everything you need for updating and maintaining the OS does have a GUI app to make things easier.
If you don't like Manjaro and want to replace it, it is fairly easy to do. Though, depending on your replacement OS choice, that can change from easy to intermediately challenging. Sometimes there's extra hoops to jump through (at least in my opinion) compared to Linux on x86_64, as sometimes things that work for everyone else won't work for you until they just do. lol However, if this is your gateway Linux device, troubleshooting those issues will give you a bit of a leg up if you decide to start spreading the love of Linux to other devices/architectures you may have.
An important thing to note, since you mentioned specs already, is that there are certainly tasks where the PBP isn't going to have the oomph needed to complete them. If you expect to need a computer to handle anything you throw at it, an x86_64 Linux laptop (like System76 or the like) might be a better choice. Essentially, it's not going to shine as a primary/only-owned device.