Looking for a Competitive Linux Laptop? Try the Contender Against My MacBook Pro

Introducing the Tuxedo Computers InfinityBook 14 Pro

Overview of Features and First Impressions

When presented with the opportunity to experience one of Tuxedo's latest offerings, I seized it eagerly. Previously, I reviewed an earlier model and was impressed by its Linux-centric approach.

This time, I explored the 10th Generation version equipped with upgraded hardware: a formidable 16-core AMD AI 7 350 processor, 32GB of RAM, and integrated graphics by AMD.

Here’s a detailed account of my experience.

About TUXEDO Computers InfinityBook 14 Pro

The InfinityBook Pro has quickly become one of my favorite laptops catering to Linux users.

Personal Experience

Usually, Tuxedo sends me devices with U.S. keyboards. This time, the keyboard was a German layout, presenting a bit of a challenge as I navigated the keys from muscle memory. It was an exciting twist.

The keyboard itself is excellent—much to the dismay of my MacBook. The touchpad is smooth and responsive, and the system operated flawlessly. While its design might initially appear conventional, loading up the machine reveals its true potential.

Running Tuxedo Linux with the KDE Plasma desktop, the interface looks and performs exceptionally. Given the robust processor and ample memory, I freely activated various desktop effects without sacrificing speed.

I did change the default dark theme to WhiteSur-Alt, which mimics the look of MacOS, and found it visually pleasing.

Performance Assessment

I developed a fondness for the keyboard, even if the layout required some adjusting.

For performance testing, I tasked the InfinityBook Pro 14 with loading and running local AI applications to gauge its processing power. Utilizing Alpaca and Qwen 2.5 coder LLM, I had it generate a Python script that processes user inputs and logs them into a file.

This benchmark, used regularly, provides a clear measure of the machine’s capabilities. Following script generation, I further challenged the system to create a graphical user interface for the task. The device handled both tasks seamlessly, completing them in moments.

Application installations from KDE Discover were quick, and they launched almost immediately. Notably, the system comes preloaded with essentials like LibreOffice, Firefox, Thunderbird, VLC, and the Tuxedo Control Center.

The Tuxedo Control Center is a comprehensive tool for monitoring system performance, managing power and battery settings, and more. It’s a feature all Linux distributions should take note of, thanks to its practicality.

Display Quality

Comparing it to my MacBook Pro's (M1) screen, it’s almost on par, albeit not as crisply detailed or vividly colored. However, among Linux laptops, the InfinityBook Pro 14’s display excels, enhanced further by the KDE Plasma environment.

There’s an option in the KDE Plasma System Settings for color accuracy, defaulting to 'Prefer Efficiency.' Switching to 'Prefer Accuracy' significantly enhanced the vibrancy of the screen.

Battery Performance

The InfinityBook rivaled my six-year-old MacBook, offering 6-8 hours of runtime per charge. Whether that suffices depends on user needs. Personally, lengthy battery life isn’t a demand, as I'm usually near a power source.

For all-day use, adjust settings in the Tuxedo Control Center selecting 'Powersaver Extreme' or crafting a custom power profile.

Advice for Potential Buyers

No major issues arose during my testing. Tuxedo Computers' offering stands as one of the finest Linux laptops I’ve tested. With superb performance and user-friendliness, it’s ideal for a wide audience.

Pricing for the base model starts around $1,223, with customization options available through their online store.