Kali isn’t meant to be a desktop OS. Use it only in VM or in a spare rig. It is meant to be a toolbox. So dual boot it with your daily driver OS or use in a VM.

Your Mac can take Linux just well: https://djharper.dev/post/2020/06/07/running-linux-on-my-macbook/

For your 300 bucks budget look nothing else than Thinkpad T480 or HP Dev One. T480 will need replacement batteries if not replaced yet.

If System 76 can offer open source firmware for their Intel laptops, then why Lenovo can’t?

https://github.com/system76/firmware-open/blob/master/FEATURES.md

The best configuration out of it is represented in Manjaro Sway. Try itnin Live mode. Format your usb stick with Ventoy2Disk and it’ll be the last time you’ll ever format it.

Try Sway as a Wayland WM.

What kind of question is this? Sell the Framework and use the money for maintenance of T480. Buy new batteries (Lenovo original if you can find a source) and dual-pipe heatsink (if your unit is missing the Nvidia gpu). Clean the dust and with compressed air and replace the thermal paste.

That T480 will serve you eternally. Especially with Linux. If someone is able to port Coreboot with Coreboot configurator into that model, donate some coffee money for the devs.

What are you even asking? There’s literally zero reasons you to force you to prefer Framework to T480. And some other might prefer Macbook over anything etc. The personal preferences aren’t a reason to force or argue.

Hey, do you have plans to open any communities into Lemmy?