Linux

I have an M1 MBA and it runs Asahi just fine, for the most part. And it should suit you well too, since you're only going to use basic apps. Even if there are some limitations currently, you could always run Linux inside a VM such as UTM.

But may I ask why do you want to run Linux, when you're going to use only those three apps? Objectively, Linux wouldn't be offering you much in your use case, and in fact if battery life is your primary concern, you'd be better off sticking with macOS. Another option could be a Chromebook.

The thinkpad-x13s-snapdragon is fanless and uses a qualcomm snapdragon processor, so an ARM like the macs use but lower performance. Batttery life is reputedly in the 20+ hour range.

Caveats:

• kinda pricey, 1K
• this arm chip is slow compared to macs.
• out of the mainstream so better do your homework on whether linux is well supported.

Laptops based on the snapdragon elite processors will come out this year, and performance should be comparable to the Mx macs. So maybe better to wait. Although, those may be considerably more expensive, and who knows what linux support will be like, especially at first.

the m1 is fine with asahi. i don't personally own one but i've worked on em in the past and its getting better by the day still.

idk about the m2 but it seems fine. people complain about the battery life being worse on asahi.

it's gonna be years before arm laptops in general hit the scene in a big way and they'll have the same problems that smartphones and sbcs have (weird non mainline kernel support, etc).

that's not to say it isn't happening, just that it's happening slowly. you want to be in the big common platform as the transition to arm happens and like it or not, that's apple.

if i were you i'd get the m2 and dual boot asahi. when its broke you still got the apple os that works fine.

How about Chromebooks?

You can put Linux on most of them and they're perfectly capable of (even designed for) running Chrome and Firefox.

I don't like apple as a company and their attitude towards repair makes it so i feel obligated to never recommend one of their products, but if you need it to be fanless, a macbook air is prolly your only really good option, honestly though an m1 should be just fine (I'm assuming your video editing workloads are pretty light), also i recommend checking out Just Josh on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtHm9ai5zSb-yfRnnUBopAg, he has some great laptop reviews

I think best for you is one of these: https://www.tuxedocomputers.com/en/Linux-Hardware/Linux-Notebooks/Alle.tuxedo#1349,1385;1885,1975

My sister has a tuxedo for work and it is ducking awesome! She told me, that there are ARM tuxedos, but I was not able to find them in my short research. Don’t hesitate to ask tuxedo directly, they have great support 😇

Do it the Linux way and remove the fan yourself.

Just kidding. Or am I?

Chromebooks or macbooks are your best bet. I believe top of the line Chromebooks are actually very good. If you put Linux on them they'll be very capable.

I bought a used gen1 Thinkpad X1 Nano. It is super light (<1kg), works flawless out of the box with Linux, and while I think it does have a fan I've never noticed it.

I have a fanless, reasonably-light linux laptop from tuxedo. Unfortunately, it seems their current models are more powerful, more heavy and probably not fanless.

Did you consider dell xps or system76?

I had the Pinebook Pro. It was pretty good, solidly built, had a 1080p screen and could handle Openshot video editor, web browsing and video playback. All I needed.

I didn't have it hooked up to an external display but according to the website it can handle 4K playback. Mainly used it for listening to music in Cmus whilst browsing in Firefox.

Battery life was pretty good, about 10 hours IIRC but mine just stopped booting after I left the battery dead for a few months.

Might buy another one though https://pine64.com/product-category/pinebook-pro/