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What modern (gaming) laptops should be avoided for proprietary firmware or whitelists/gate keeping? Also posted Linux GPU telemetry data from Stable Diffusion


This entry was edited (1 year ago)
in reply to j4k3

Uhm, I don't think you will have much luck with an AMD laptop GPU and stable diffusion. Their support for desktop consumer GPUs is already atrocious in ROCm.

Maybe get a cheaper laptop that allows connecting a eGPU case? No idea if that works better, but I think the chances are a lot better.
This entry was edited (1 year ago)
in reply to poVoq

I've seen people say this kind of thing. It is why I went to the data. There are 176 out of 699 that are using AMD just fine. Around 15 of those look to be laptops, but I can't tell for sure.
in reply to j4k3

IDK 🤷‍♂️ But it also looks like the laptop GPU you propose has a maximum of 12gb ram, which is already quite low for the older image models and definitely not enough for most language models.
This entry was edited (1 year ago)
in reply to poVoq

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-6DXU967bU&t=314

in reply to j4k3

This is for very low resolution only and AI up-scaling then takes another long time. Yes SD can work with 8gb vRAM and 12 is nicer, but the upcoming SDXL will probably require 16gb to work good enough.

I agree that Nvidia is crap and would love to recommend AMD, but their software for AI stuff is just bad right now and their business decisions to only support the newest data-center GPUs with it is even worse.

I have an all AMD Linux system, and it works great for gaming and VR, but I have given up on trying to get SD to work on it despite spending a lot of time on that already. Maybe with a newer card it would be better, but I think the risk is just too high to spend a lot of money on an officially unsupported card that AMD can break any minute and has done so in the past.
This entry was edited (1 year ago)
in reply to poVoq

This is the talking-sense that got to me. Thanks. It is why I made the post before pulling the trigger.

I really hate shopping and now I'm back to zero. I probably need to focus on an external graphics card solution, but that looks like a messy space to navigate too. There seems to be a good bit of negative feedback from the ASUS ROC external GPU laptop setup. I have no idea what is or is not possible. I think I saw a headline in passing about USB4 just getting merged into the kernel, so that doesn't bode well for support of existing hardware. I'm not sure what kind of bandwidth is really needed for SD to the CPU.

Thanks again for the minor disappointment to avoid a major one later.
in reply to j4k3

If you're going to do AI stuff you have to go with Nvidia. AMD is quite bad at it and in some cases doesn't support some technologies like Stable Diffusion at all.

I'd recommend a 3070 at least. You'll need the vram.
in reply to j4k3

If you're going high end that does sound pretty good.
in reply to j4k3

Buying a laptop that can run SD will cost you more than twice as much as an equivalent desktop. A desktop will also remain upgradeable for the next 10 years or so.

guyman doesn't like this.

in reply to l3mming

I'm partially disabled and stuck in a bed ~80% of my days. The ergonomics of a laptop on my custom bedside stand that can swing out of my way and 180° to use at my desk is ideal. I have a spare monitor on an arm I use when I really need it, but I hate having any regular keyboard or even being stuck with just a mouse. The touch pad, keyboard location, and screen make an ideal ergonomic situation. Like I have several mains outlets built into my stand, and the wiring is managed so that I don't get boxed in or tangled. I hate wireless stuff going dead. When adding the cost of the screen to a PC and all the peripherals, and then accessibility mounts, it costs more for me. My only option for a tower is two computers and remotely logging in from a laptop. It is an option but not one I like.
This entry was edited (1 year ago)
in reply to j4k3

While it's not an immediate solution, Framework laptops are way ahead of the curve in terms of open sourcing their firmware, and being open and Linux-friendly in general. The Framework 16 should be out by the end of the year and will support an external gpu.
in reply to j4k3

All good points. Fair enough. That said, don't be too quick to dismiss the remote desktop option. Not sure when you last tried, but these days with software like remmina, connecting remotely to a desktop (particularly one on your lan) is indistinguishable to sitting in front of it. Sure, you can't do things like play games at any useable framerate, but for something like Stable Diffusion I would expect it to be ideal.
in reply to l3mming

I was also kinda looking forward to connecting with an old friend over battlefield or counter strike as a bonus. That is the one constraint I will end up giving up first if I am forced to, but it gets damn lonely living like this. It will be 10 years of laying around all the time this coming February, I don't worry about the stuff I can't change, but I am way past due for having some real fun with friends. People are pooling together to help me out but it is like a one time and place kinda thing where I need to come up with the "thing" I need and be done with it. I'm grateful and all, I just need to make the best of it and not be too much of a burden. I have a max of $3k to play with but need to figure this out in the next few days. The lower I can keep the ask the better off I will be. The Alienware was $1450 and for a 12GBV card, that sounded great.

bentruck doesn't like this.

in reply to j4k3

Ah right, I see. Sounds like you're making the right choices in the context of your unfortunate situation. Yeah, playing games pretty much rules out a remote desktop setup. Sorry I don't have any more answers to your questions, but you're clearly asking the right ones.
This entry was edited (1 year ago)
in reply to l3mming

That's not true.
Do not listen to this person. They have no idea what they're talking about.

bentruck doesn't like this.

in reply to j4k3

These days I always recommend @TUXEDO Computers for linux centric laptops. They have a wide and customizable range and are all built with fully linux compatible hardware. The service/support they provide is also top-notch.

guyman doesn't like this.

Linux reshared this.

in reply to eshep

No doubt. I looked into them, star labs, and system76, none of them offer a 12GB or larger option for the same $1500-$2500 price point found in other laptops. I really need a 16GBV-24GBV option. For the actual processor the only thing I do that is demanding is CAD which is single threaded. I don't need a top model monster. I don't even need a battery, low power, or some stupid high refresh rate screen. I need something like a HP Dev One in a basic 17.3" setup with a 24GB video card for less than $2500.

bentruck doesn't like this.

Linux reshared this.

in reply to j4k3

A heafty video card on a laptop is a really tall order. Hopefully they become a little easier to find soon, I would really like to be able to do more blender CAD on the road.
This entry was edited (1 year ago)

Linux reshared this.

in reply to eshep

Usually linux-centric laptops cost more for inferior hardware.
You're usually better off just buying a Windows computer and installing Linux on it if you want the best performance for the price.

Linux reshared this.

in reply to guyman

I found that system76 is well priced compared to Windows brands. Avoid paying for the Windows license fee!

guyman doesn't like this.

in reply to what

Uhh, no.

You still end up paying more for worse hardware with that brand, regardless of the windows license.
in reply to j4k3

Avoid Acer / Predator. They have screwy BIOS with non standard EFI that really messes with GRUB. Nightmare for secure boot and disk encryption if you care about that (you should)
in reply to j4k3

I have a Dell G15 with rtx3050ti. I have no problem with linux, also they directly sell it without windows.
in reply to j4k3

I have a dell G15 5525 with rtx3060. No issues besides the general Nvidia driver issues. You can check the Arch Wiki.