By Robin Owens 3 days ago, Hardware
The best Ubuntu compatible laptops on the market.
Those users favoring Linux laptops, when buying a new device, immediately rush to install one of the Linux distributions on it. While installing the majority of modern distributions like Ubuntu is not a problem, buying a decent laptop compatible with Linux is still not an easy task.
I have compiled a list of the top 6 Ubuntu compatible laptops that come with advanced functionality, powerful performance and great connectivity options.
While it is really hard to find a good Linux laptop, some manufacturers do not disregard this OS and its distributions. To help you make the right choice, I have collected decent Ubuntu supported laptops, tested each and shared my feedback.
CPU: Intel Celeron N4020 | GPU: Intel UHD Graphics | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 1TB | Display: 15.6-inch | Weight: 3.91 lbs
⊕ Decent build quality
⊕ Comes with a stylus (optional)
⊕ Long-lasting battery
⊕ Constant upgrades
⊕ High-quality fingerprint sensor
⊖ Poor sRGB colors
⊖ Too heavy
The Dell Inspiron is an Ubuntu touch screen laptop that has a long-lasting battery and large storage, which allows you to install any game, store documents and photos.
Despite its compact design, an HD anti-glare screen seems large enough thanks to the narrow bezels. The screen delivers a clear picture regardless of the viewing angle.
The Dell Inspiron is portable enough to be used on the go. Plus, you’ll enjoy its smooth, slim design. Thanks to high-quality materials, the laptop will not only last for a long time but also provide maximum comfort. You will enjoy using its aluminum palm rest.
CPU: AMD Ryzen 3 3200U Dual Core Processor | GPU: AMD Radeon Vega 3 Mobile Graphics | RAM: 4GB | Storage: 128GB | Display: 15.6-inch | Weight: 3.97 pound
⊕ Nice brushed-metal lid
⊕ Long-lasting battery
⊕ Affordable price
⊕ An integrated GPU
⊖ Plastic body
Although the Acer Aspire 5 is a cheap Ubuntu laptop, it looks more expensive than other similarly priced devices. It comes with a sleek brushed metal cover, a long-lasting battery and a 15-inch Full HD display. Besides, it delivers powerful performance and can handle basic tasks.
While the new Acer Aspire 5 doesn’t boast a powerful Core i5 processor or fast graphics as previous versions, it remains a decent device that comes at an affordable price.
Buying the Aspire is a kind of compromise, as the laptop combines a 1080p display, high portability and a low price. However, it has some disadvantages as well. If you can disregard them, this laptop is a great value for the money.
CPU: Intel Core M7 Processor | GPU: Intel HD Graphics 515 | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 64GB | Display: 12.5-inch | Weight: 2.65 pound
⊕ Smart tablet mode
⊕ Bright screen
⊕ Tactile keyboard
⊖ Poor speakers
If you are looking for the best laptop for Ubuntu, I recommend considering the Asus Chromebook. Its 3.1 GHz Intel Core M processor is perfectly compatible with this operating system.
Users can enjoy not only its performance but also its great look and the 12.5-inch Full HD touchscreen display. The large screen produces colorful and clear images without any distortions.
While the Asus Chromebook is not the latest model, it is still as good as its newer counterparts. Combining a tactile keyboard, high-quality display and trendy design, the Asus Chromebook is a great choice. Besides, the 2-in-1 device serves both as a tablet and a full-fledged laptop.
CPU: 10th Gen Intel Core i7-10710U | GPU: Intel UHD graphics | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 1TB | Display: 13.3-inch | Weight: 2.93 pound
⊕ Great 4K display with 400-nit brightness
⊕ Modern design
⊕ Powerful i7 processor
⊕ Fast data transfer with SSD
⊕ Long-lasting battery
⊖ Customer support could be better
⊖ Some hardware issues
The Dell XPS 13 is an updated version of the Ubuntu Linux laptop that comes with the latest 10th Generation Intel processor. The laptop is portable and has a long-lasting battery, which is convenient when you are traveling.
The device is suitable for both work and gaming. It can last more than 8 hours without recharging. You can comfortably use your laptop both at night and outdoors during the day, as it features a backlit keyboard and high-quality anti-glare screen with 400-nit brightness.
CPU: Intel Core i7-1065G7 | GPU: Intel UHD Graphics 620 | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 512GB | Display: 15-inch | Weight: 4.08 pound
⊕ Value for money
⊕ Stylish
⊕ Top-notch performance
⊕ Tactile keypad
⊖ Dull display
⊖ A single USB-C port
Despite its low cost, the HP Pavilion can easily beat its more expensive competitors as it supports the latest technologies and has a stylish design. This laptop for Ubuntu features a minimalist brushed metal finish. The HP Pavilion is the best choice for users looking for a laptop for work-related tasks and casual use.
With 16 GB of RAM, the laptop delivers fast and powerful performance. Being fitted with a 512 GB Solid-State Drive, it offers plenty of storage space for important documents and files.
As it’s equipped with a powerful Intel Core i7 processor, the model can handle even the most resource-consuming programs. Besides, the HP Pavilion features a webcam and dual speakers, which are great for video calls.
CPU: 9th Gen Intel Core i7-9750H | GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 4GB GDDR5 | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 256GB | Display: 15.6-inch | Weight: 5.51 pound
⊕ Durable body made of carbon fiber and aluminum
⊕ Easy to maintain
⊕ Different price options
⊕ A fingerprint reader in the power key
⊕ Compact
⊖ Inconvenient keyboard
⊖ Outdated design
Thanks to its powerful 9th Gen Intel Core i7-9750H processor, the Dell XPS 15 is great for hardcore gamers and creative professionals alike. This Ubuntu ultrabook features 16 GB of RAM with 2666 MHz bandwidth, which is well above 2133MHz. High memory speed directly affects the speed of content processing and searching, and therefore the Dell XPS 15 will meet your expectations.
The model comes with a 256 GB Solid-State Drive, which provides ample storage for your multimedia files. Besides, it affects the speed of applications and the overall responsiveness, where the XPS 15 is practically unmatched.
| Image | Name | Features | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Dell Inspiron
Our Choice |
CHECK PRICE → | |
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Acer Aspire
Budget |
CHECK PRICE → | |
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ASUS Chromebook
2-In-1 Laptop |
CHECK PRICE → |
RAM plays a big role if you are interested in photo and video editing or need a lot of memory for resource-intensive applications. Typically, laptops come with 2 to 4 GB of RAM, which can often be increased.
For those running a 64-bit Linux distribution or using a dual boot, I recommend choosing a large screen laptop with 4 GB of RAM. If you are using 32-bit distributions that are less demanding, 3 GB is enough for you.
If you’re looking for entry-level graphics cards for Linux, I recommend considering the Intel GMA 4500MHD, 945GM, 950 GMA, X3100 GMA and Nvidia’s Quadro NVS 160M. More advanced options are Nvidia Quadro FX 880M, FX 2800M, NVS 3100M, GeForce 9300M GS, GeForce 9300M, Intel GMA X4500 HD, ATI FirePro M7740, ATI Radeon HD, etc.
If you occupy a government position, and reliable data storage is your priority, then you need to use a Biometric Fingerprint Scanner, which guarantees the safety of your documents. Using Linux PAM, you can connect the fingerprint reader option to DM, GDM, sudo, su and other services.
It mostly depends on the manufacturer. Sometimes, it can affect your laptop’s warranty. You need to double-check this information in advance, it’s usually mentioned by a company in the description of a device.
It’s easy to install Linux on the old models as it is supported by the majority of them. The only issue you might face is hardware compatibility.
If you have enough money, I’d recommend buying a Linux laptop that will not disappoint you. Still, for those on a tight budget, it’s more reasonable to buy a Windows laptop that is compatible with Linux OS, so that you can install one of its distributions later.
Though the minimal required RAM by Ubuntu is 1024 MB, I recommend choosing 2048 MB to cope with all tasks. As an alternative option, you may try Ubuntu versions named Lubuntu or Xubuntu, which require at least 512 MB of RAM.
