Input on laptop: Thinkpad

[Devilstare]

Now, considering I'm quite new at this, I would really appreciate some input on choice of laptop to use Linux with.

I'm thinking of buying a new "used" laptop. But am unsure of what to look for, and get. I'm going to use it for programming, or rather, learning to, and probably some VM'in at some point, and basic writing, browsing.

Currently I'm considering the Thinkpad x250, and i found one with these specs: 
ThinkPad x250
Intel Core i7 5600U 4M 2.60GHz
256SSD
8GB Ram
5500 HD Intel Graphic.

Lenovo is said to be decently compatible with Linux, so I thought that to be a safe bet. I would also like to upgrade the RAM if possible.

The other thing is, I'm quite inexperienced with Linux, and especially on a laptop. I tried Ubuntu, and as a first meeting it was great, but after a while kinda meh. Or the Unity desktop, rather. Mint runs fine on its own, and is preferable that way, but I am kinda looking for something to really learn Linux. But at the same time I need something stable enough, and easy enough to maintain that I don't accidentally break it, to get work done. So what would be your recommended distro for use on a laptop?

Appreciate your two cents.

[redact.d]

I think you have solid hardware there, I personally need more than 256GB of storage but if you can manage without an upgrade it's all good there.

Concerning distros, I am absolutely in love with the visuals of Kali 2.0, and I think the system is quite easy to maintain while providing some customization, granted not as much as slackware or some other OS's. Kali 2 is quite functional, but I always dual boot with a Windows OS for Steam and other exclusive programs

Good Luck with the laptop!

[iikibT]

but I am kinda looking for something to really learn Linux. But at the same time I need something stable enough, and easy enough to maintain that I don't accidentally break it, to get work done. So what would be your recommended distro for use on a laptop?

Ubuntu is easy and stable enough, so set it as your main distro and try other distros in VM. This way you can learn and break stuff while still having a safe environment to work in. To "really learn Linux" I would recommend Arch.

Concerning distros, I am absolutely in love with the visuals of Kali 2.0, and I think the system is quite easy to maintain while providing some customization, granted not as much as slackware or some other OS's. Kali 2 is quite functional, but I always dual boot with a Windows OS for Steam and other exclusive programs

Please don't dual boot Kali, but use it as VM or Live USB/DVD (see countless other Kali threads for why). Also, Kali 2.0 default "visuals" are more or less plain Gnome 3 with a couple of extensions, so if you like it you can easily use it on your main distro.

EDIT: Also, I wouldn't really describe Steam as Windows "exclusive" since it basically runs on every Linux distro. Not to mention SteamOS 

[iTpHo3NiX]

Honestly unless you're planning on gaming an i7 with 8gb of ram is plenty. Also the SSD is nice. I'm a data packrat, so I'd get an external HD to go with that, especially if that laptop has USB3. If you don't mind sharing what's the budget you're looking at, such as what's the max you're willing to spend. Also are you US, UK? Could look up some other deals. With Cyber Monday around the corner you may be able to get something new and better around the same price.

[TheCrazyPasta]

I am also in the same boat as you. However my laptop is so bulky. I want to down grade hahah but lost. I'am waiting to see cyber Monday deals. Tired of this Dell / Alienware pos I have, along with the ridiculous weight most non portable laptop i have ever owned. I mean dell offered me $1,000 for a buy back if i buy another one hahah

[Devilstare]

Hey, thanks for all the input. I went ahead and made the deal on the laptop. Used, 6 months old, aprox. 700 USD.
Would have liked to be able to upgrade the memory, but there is only single memory slot on it, so I would have to buy a 16 gb memory chip, which is quite expensive these days.

Which leads me to Virtual machine: I've heard vm'ing is a bit hardware intensive, and especially on the memory, so with 8 gb of ram  what kind of performance can I expect to get? And do you think the fact that the memory is on a single channel would make a difference?

I live in northern Europa so Cyber Monday is a bit out of reach, but I'm considering an external HD anyways. I usually like to store my stuff externally, and keep my main drive as clean as possible. 

Laptops native OS is Windows ,so I guess I'll wipe it and install Ubuntu, at first at least. I just need to get away from the Unity desktop. I like the Cinnamon desktop on  Mint, so far, which is based on GNOME 3? I've also heard people recommend Zubuntu, or Xubuntu. I'll do some research before I make up my mind.

[iikibT]

I've heard vm'ing is a bit hardware intensive, and especially on the memory, so with 8 gb of ram  what kind of performance can I expect to get?

If you only plan to run 1-2 VMs at the same time you should be ok RAM-wise (2 GB is ok for any desktop).

I just need to get away from the Unity desktop.

Why all the Unity hate? If you need a good looking desktop try Gnome or KDE, if you are looking for something lightweight, try Mate, Xfce or LxQt.

[TheWormKill]

Why all the Unity hate? If you need a good looking desktop try Gnome or KDE, if you are looking for something lightweight, try Mate, Xfce or LxQt.

Well, I can explain the unity hate to you: it is a bloated, useless, way to complex, missing-it's-point piece of software. Just as Gnome, KDE,.... you get me. Disclaimer: I am biased towards minimalistic solutions, tiling window managers, www.suckless.org tools etc. For instance, I don't run a DE at all and only a WM, with a bunch of terminals and prefer to work with the CLI. Based on that, "good looking desktop" is entirely subjective.

@OP: I support what everyone already said: that hardware is good enough, everything else is just common sense and/or beating a dead horse.

[Devilstare]

I don't run a DE at all and only a WM, with a bunch of terminals and prefer to work with the CLI. Based on that, "good looking desktop" is entirely subjective.

Shiit. That sounds nice! A bit high level for me at the moment, but I too usually go for the more minimalist approach when I can. Though running only terminals is pretty hardcore.

Once again, thanks for all the input.

[iikibT]

Well, I can explain the unity hate to you: it is a bloated, useless, way to complex, missing-it's-point piece of software. Just as Gnome, KDE,.... you get me.

It looks to me that many people who like "bloated" desktops such as Gnome and KDE still dislike Unity. I am not sure if this is really Unity hate though, or just extends from Ubuntu hate in general.

Though running only terminals is pretty hardcore.

And also useless in many cases. For example if you are a graphic designer =)

[Devilstare]

And also useless in many cases. For example if you are a graphic designer =)

I concur. But most of us are taught to rely on GUI's only, mostly through Windows, so running only terminals means you have acquired a few additional skills, and I do tip my hat to that =)

[TheWormKill]

Well, I don't just run a few terminals. I just use them for everything they are suited for, so basically everything not needing images. Browsing, GIMP and similar stuff is still GUI based, but you can extend similar principles regarding interfaces to them. For instance, check out VimFX for firefox, which bring vim-like controls to FF etc.
I wrote a lengthy post about that kind of stuff, see my signature.

As for the Unity hate... well, most Gnome/KDE/WhateverDE users are probably just bandwagoning on the criticism or criticise technical details they dislike. And well, Ubuntu hate is a good thing

Also, this: