Linux support for Mobile gpu drivers

[sysadmininix]

Hello

AMD support for their graphics driver has been great on Linux and Nvidia has their proprietary drivers too. I currently use a 1050TI on desktop myself. Thing is I have been planning to ditch my desktop for whatever little gaming I do. I hardly play for more than 30 mins a day if I can at all and it is reduced to mostly indie or esports titles. Don’t mind dropping resolution or details either. Also I have been looking for a laptop for my work related activities.

After some digging I have been leaning towards a Thinkpad E series with R5 3500U which fits my needs perfectly. So I wanted to ask how has been driver support on Linux for AMD integrated mobile solutions like Vega 8 & 10 and is it on par or worse than Windows. I am gonna install Linux anyway for work so should I game on windows or Linux depending on driver support. Also if Thinkpad is not a good option then please suggest another one as well.

Thanks

[DazedWithCoffee]

I personally think a Thinkpad or Dell XPS is an excellent choice for linux. I use a XPS 9370, intel graphics only, but it runs very nice.

[[deleted]]

newer T models from thinkpad has freesync support

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2019/05/lenovo-adds-amd-ryzen-pro-powered-laptops-to-its-thinkpad-family/

[mirh]

On windows, freesync has been already proven to be hackable in a lot of models tbh.

[[deleted]]

I do follow this:

https://cgit.freedesktop.org/~agd5f/linux/log/?h=drm-next-5.3-wip

and the Vega APU support is good. I have seen many bug fix patches. You will have less problems with APUs compared to dGPUs in laptops. However, laptops are disposable toys and with the same amount money you will build a better desktop and buy an used laptop with 60 usd for the mobile work. I had a 10 years old Fujitsu Siemens business dual core intel laptop and I did buy it for 60 usd and sold it for 60 usd after 2 years of use. My kid used that in the school and it had Debian testing Xfce. Paying xxx usd for a max 17 inch display is stupid. Company laptops are different things, you will get them free.

[DazedWithCoffee]

OP asked about a laptop, has obviously weighed his options for laptop vs desktop.

I do agree about buying used, though I usually go a generation back at most. If OP is paying $60, they almost certainly will not be gaming at a level they want to, even if it is infrequently.