Which laptop is best for Linux?
If you are looking for a new laptop, an alternative to Windows or macOS, we recommend considering Linux compatible laptops. Although the selection of Linux laptops is smaller than those for Windows or Mac, you can still find a couple of decent options.
As a rule, big-name brands don't make Linux laptops, while small companies with a good reputation can offer a great option. It is important to understand what exactly you need and where you can find the desired device.
It may be a challenging task to choose a worthy Linux laptop. That is why we have prepared a list of the best options to help you make a decision and find the right device that will suit your needs.
CPU: Intel | GPU: Acer Aspire | RAM: 4 GB | Storage: 128 GB | Display: 15.6 -inch | Weight: 3.97 lbs
⊕ Refined design
⊕ Processor work fast
⊕ Capacious battery
⊖ Dark display
This Linux OS laptop is supplied with an AMD Ryzen 3 3200U mobile processor and Radeon Vega 3 graphics and works on par with powerful computers. You will be pleasantly surprised to know that the battery will last for a long time. This laptop is great for traveling thanks to its portability and small weight, as the top cover is made of lightweight aluminum. Acer TrueHarmony technology delivers great sound and, when paired with decent speakers, deep bass.
The Acer Aspire has a 15.6” Full HD IPS display with a narrow bezel that delivers a detailed image. Acer Color Intelligence technology contributes to the clarity and brightness of the picture. The big advantage is the Acer BlueLightShield technology, which allows you to work for a long time with no harmful impact on your eyes.
CPU: Intel | GPU: Intel Iris Plus | RAM: 16 GB | Storage: 1 TB | Display: 13.3-inch | Weight: 2.93 lbs
⊕ Attractive design
⊕ Top-notch performance
⊕ Great 4K display
⊖ Poor battery life
This model will surprise you with crisp and vivid colors by dint of maximizing the color gamut with 100% sRGB color and a 1500:1 contrast ratio. You'll notice how crisp scenes are displayed without harsh shadows. The monitor has an anti-glare coating that allows you to use this Linux laptop even outdoors, and together with 400-nit brightness, it provides excellent visibility. The IPS panel ensures a wide viewing angle, letting you freely share your screen without missing out details.
Along with the mentioned benefits, Dell XPS 13 has a durable aluminum body. The model is compatible with mobile devices, running both iOS, and Android.
CPU: HP | GPU: NVIDIA | RAM: 8 GB | Storage: 256 GB | Display: 15-inch | Weight: 3.75 lbs
⊕ High-end performance
⊕ Great design
⊕ Convenient to use
⊖ Poor battery
HP is the best option for working on the go, as the battery lasts for a long time. Besides, the laptop has a lightweight design, so you can carry it around without getting tired. Its large 15-inch display, delivers amazingly detailed image and allows you to work efficiently wherever you are. HP goes with two types of connections – Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5. If you often make video calls, this model is for you, because the TrueVision HD camera and dual-array microphones offer clear images and high-quality sound. This fairly cheap Linux laptop comes with a full-size keyboard and has a built-in numeric keypad.
CPU: Core i9 | GPU: Nvidia GeForce | RAM: 4 GB | Storage: 256 GB | Display: 16-inch | Weight: 5.51 lbs
⊕ Alternative to a gaming PC
⊕ Value for money
⊕ 1080p and 4K display features
⊖ High-priced with Core i9 and 2TB SSD
Dell XPS 15 is a Linux gaming laptop that has the 9th Gen Intel Core i7-9750H processor. With such a powerful processor, the XPS ensures unbeatable performance during gaming sessions. It has 16GB of memory with 2666MHz bandwidth, which is 1.2 times the speed of 2133MHz. Thanks to fast performance, users can find the necessary site or information almost immediately. The Dell XPS 15 comes with 256GB M.2 PCIe NVMe Solid State Drive, which gives you extra space and delivers fast responsiveness that impacts program run times. The model boasts a striking operational speed, that significantly reduces the waiting time.
CPU: Intel Core | GPU: NVIDIA| RAM: 8 GB | Storage: 512 GB | Display: 13.3-inch | Weight: 2.5 pounds
⊕ Small-sized and durable
⊕ Great performance
⊕ Worthy speakers
⊕ Reasonably-priced
⊖ Finnicky touchpad
ZenBook 13 is a Linux touchscreen laptop that combines all the best qualities of the competitors. It delivers high performance while being lightweight and compact. Its all-metal body weighs 2.5 pounds and therefore ZenBook 13 is not a hindrance when traveling. The battery supports up to 15 hours of operation, which is also an advantage for outdoor use. Its compact design doesn’t affect performance in any way. With the 8th Gen Intel Core i7 processor, 8GB of RAM, and super-fast 512GB PCIe SSD, ZenBook 13 helps you cope with tasks quickly. Besides, due to Harman Kardon technology, the laptop delivers crisp sound.
CPU: Intel| GPU: NIVIDA | RAM: 16 GB | Storage: 512 GB | Display: 15 -inch | Weight: 4.08 lbs
⊕ Strong body
⊕ High-end performance
⊕ Great design
⊖ Poor battery life
This Linux OS laptop can brag about outstanding functionality, performance, and reliability. Having two types of connection – Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth® 5, you can quickly connect to your office while being on the go. Wi-Fi 6 speeds up file transferring up to three times. You will not face difficulties even on a busy network. You can also take advantage of 88º wide-angle field of view on HP Wide Vision HD camera with built-in dual-array microphone while organizing video conferences.
Its large screen looks great in a neat narrow bezel. The laptop is suitable for both home and office use, promising a long service life. The HP Pavilion has both a full-size keyboard and a built-in numeric keypad for convenient typing.
CPU: Gen Intel® | GPU: NVIDIA® | RAM: 8 GB | Storage: 512 GB | Display: 14-inch | Weight: 2.65 lbs
⊕ Slim and light
⊕ Fast and responsive
⊕ IPS display and touchscreen
⊖ Without the RJ45 port
With the Acer Swift, you no longer need to worry about your laptop performing poorly on the go. This model offers maximum power for a day of active use. It supports up to 11.5 hours of battery life. Acer Swift is equipped with one of the best AMD Ryzen 4000 Series processors, which are designed with the 8 ultra-responsive Zen 2 processor cores to keep the device running efficiently.
| Image | Name | Features | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Acer Aspire
Our Choice |
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Dell XPS 13
Compact |
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HP Laptop
High quality |
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When choosing a laptop, you should think in advance for what purposes you need it. This affects many important features, including its size. Unlike the RAM or ROM of a laptop, the size cannot be changed later, and therefore it is worth deciding in advance on the suitable one. Typically, laptop sizes range from 11.6 inches to 17.3 inches. Standard displays offered by well-known brands such as Dell, ASUS, and Acer are divided into three options – 13.3 inches, 15.6 inches, and 17.3 inches. But some manufacturers produce 11.6", 12.5" and 14" models.
If you travel frequently and are looking for a portable device, a compact Windows laptop is the way to go. Compared to other models, these laptops are usually the lightest and thinnest. We recommend choosing models weighted from 1kg to 1.5kg with displays of 12.5" or 13.3".
If you type a lot, you should choose a laptop with a good keyboard. You probably won't be satisfied with a keyboard that will bend under the sun rays. Choose a keyboard with full-size keys and a convenient layout. Pay attention to key responsiveness when you press them. Backlighting plays a big role to help you work at night or in low light conditions.
Along with the screen size, resolution matters a lot. The minimum laptop resolution offered on the market is 1366x768 pixels. This is a pretty good parameter for everyday use. You can easily run two applications side by side with many pixels, considering the ability of web pages to change the format, adapting to screen sizes. A large resolution on models with smaller screens doesn’t guarantee more space, because, with a large number of pixels on a small screen, all content is scaled up. Otherwise, users can’t recognize text and symbols due to their small size.
If we compare a 15-inch laptop with a 1920x1080 screen to the same device with a 1366x768 screen, we see that in the second case, there is slightly less space for applications. Resolution plays a key role here, as a higher value improves the quality of the displayed text. We recommend visiting the store and checking the difference yourself. This will help you determine the parameters you want based on personal preferences.
If you're looking for a decent Linux gaming laptop, you need to spend at least $1,500. For this price, you can get powerful gaming equipment. If you are interested in a good laptop for everyday use, $800-1000 is enough.
HP makes good, sturdy laptops that have long battery life. Thus, HP laptops are great for ongoing and active use. However, HP is inferior in quality to Dell as a whole, even though the manufacturer uses hardware components for its laptops that are similar to those used by Dell.
The minimum recommended RAM is 4 GB. In our opinion, it is better to choose 8 GB, which will definitely satisfy most users’ needs. If you are a gamer or work with the latest applications and programs that have high requirements, you should focus on 16 GB. It will also be a plus if you want to try your hand at computer technology in the future.
For this money, you can get a great laptop that will satisfy your daily needs. Typically, a good laptop costs between $800 and $1,000. If only you are a hardcore gamer, then you need a gaming laptop that costs at least $1,500.
