[Safe way to access linux file server from a linux laptop]

Yes seafile community edition , i didn't try syncthing. Before seafile i used owcloud sync client who doesn't work so well

[What kind of hardware do you have and how do you use it?]

Thinkpad t440s mainly use for browsing web, some games (meat boy, pillar of eternity mainly) and for work remotly

[Safe way to access linux file server from a linux laptop]

if you go to a sync solution, seafile is a great soft