Years in the past, we have been fortunate to have one or two Linux laptop computer choices. Now, you would be shocked at what number of laptops are offered with Linux put in, making it a good time for programmers to make use of the open-source different to Home windows and MacOS. Linux-based laptops are additionally nice for highschool and school college students trying to broaden their information and skillsets.
With so many choices, we will now be selective with how we spend our cash. On high of that, we not must do intensive analysis on other laptops to make sure each element will work with Linux. For these of us who’d been working with Linux for a while, that was extra a trouble than an issue, however for others, it was a serious effort to trace down chipset producers and fashions that went into a selected laptop computer. These days are long gone, and shoppers can now merely buy a laptop computer that ships with Linux put in, understanding it would “simply work.”
Additionally: These are the absolute best Linux distros for programming
To find out one of the best Linux laptops available on the market, I thought-about options like efficiency, design, value, and open-source help. Based mostly on this, the Dell XPS 15 9520 is my decide for one of the best Linux laptop computer general, due to its number of configuration choices that allow you to customise the laptop computer’s construct to fit your wants. However you possibly can try the remainder of the listing to seek out the one which’s finest for you.
The very best Linux laptops of 2023
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Dell XPS 15
Greatest Linux laptop computer general
Dell XPS 15 9520 tech specs: CPU: As much as Thirteenth Intel Core i9 | GPU: As much as Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 | RAM: As much as 64GB | Storage: As much as 8TB SSD | Show dimension: 15.6 inches | Show sort: LED or OLED | Battery life: 10 hours
When you’re on the lookout for a stable, reliable laptop computer that you should use as your fundamental Linux machine or dual-boot Home windows and Linux, the Dell XPS 15 is the only option. It has tons of configuration choices, letting you select as much as a Thirteenth-generation Intel Core i9 processor, 64GB of RAM, 8TB of storage, and a GeForce RTX 4070 graphics card. The 15.6-inch show makes use of both a 1920×1200 LED or 4K OLED panel for unimaginable detailing, shade, and distinction. And with two Thunderbolt 4 ports, you’ll join secondary shows, cost units, or switch information from different onerous drives to streamline your workflow.
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HP Omen 17
Greatest Linux laptop computer for gaming
HP Omen 17 tech specs: CPU: Intel Core i7-13700HX | GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 1TB SSD | Show dimension: 17.3 inches | Show sort: IPS | Battery life: 5 hours
Whereas Linux-supported video games aren’t precisely widespread, studios are growing video games for the working system (about one percent of Steam’s user base says it prefers Linux over Home windows or MacOS). The HP Omen 17 is constructed from the bottom as much as be among the finest gaming laptops you should buy, with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 graphics card, Intel Core i7-13700HX processor, 16GB of RAM, and a 1TB solid-state drive for storage.
The 17.3-inch show produces nice 1440p decision in addition to a 165Hz refresh price to scale back annoying display tearing and stuttering throughout intense motion scenes. The Omen 17 helps Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity for sooner, extra dependable wi-fi web speeds and higher connections to wi-fi peripherals like mice and headsets. It additionally has one of many higher battery lives of any gaming laptop computer, coming in at round 5 hours.
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Acer Swift Edge
Greatest show in a Linux laptop computer
Acer Swift Edge 16 tech specs: CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 6800U | GPU: AMD Radeon Graphics | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 1TB SSD | Show dimension: 16 inches | Show sort: OLED | Battery life: 11 hours
For artistic professionals preferring to work in Linux over Home windows or MacOS, the Acer Swift Edge is a good possibility for a top quality show in addition to highly effective elements. The 16-inch display gives glorious 4K decision in addition to as much as one hundred pc of the DCI-P3 shade gamut for ultra-accurate colours. It additionally has a 92 p.c screen-to-body ratio, which implies you will get extra viewing and dealing space in your display as an alternative of huge, type of ugly, bezels. ZDNET’s Michael Gariffo bought to do some hands-on testing with the Acer Swift Edge, praising its premium-grade elements and cheaper price tag than opponents.
You can too overclock the AMD Ryzen 7 6800U processor as much as 4.7GHz for further energy whenever you want it for rendering 3D fashions, completed pictures, or video information. The Acer Swift Edge has a light-weight design, coming in at slightly below 2.5 kilos, making it nice for on-the-go artistic professionals whose workplaces are wherever they occur to be that day.
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Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3
Greatest Linux laptop computer below $500
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 tech specs: CPU: As much as AMD Ryzen 5 7530U | GPU: AMD Radeon built-in graphics | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 512GB SSD | Show dimension: 15.6 inches | Show sort: IPS | Battery life: 12 hours
When you’re simply beginning out studying the way to work with Linux or are on the lookout for an reasonably priced laptop computer to make use of to refine your programming abilities, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 retails below $500 whereas nonetheless providing premium-grade efficiency. It is constructed with an AMD Ryzen 5 7530U CPU, 8GB of RAM, and a 512GB storage drive, which makes it nice for every thing from net shopping and streaming to on a regular basis workplace work. It additionally has a formidable 12-hour battery life, which implies you possibly can spend extra time working and fewer time looking for an outlet to recharge. The 15.6-inch show produces 1080p decision for nice pictures and distinction, whereas an anti-glare coating and blue mild filter assist cut back eye pressure and fatigue.
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Asus VivoBook Professional 15 OLED
Greatest battery life in a Linux laptop computer
Asus Vivobook Professional tech specs: CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 6800H | GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 512GB SSD | Show dimension: 15.6 inches | Show sort: OLED | Battery life: 14.5 hours
When you’re out there for a Linux-capable laptop computer with a formidable battery life, the Asus Vivobook Professional is your best option. On a full cost, you possibly can rise up to 14.5 hours of use, which implies you’ll work and stream all day and nicely into the night time earlier than it’s a must to take into consideration plugging in. The 15.6-inch OLED show offers you unimaginable colours, distinction, and particulars for extra lifelike pictures. It is also Pantone-validated for shade accuracy, making it nice for artistic professionals and digital artists.
The Vivobook Professional additionally retains your work and private info secure from unauthorized entry with a fingerprint reader to exchange conventional passwords with biometric log-ins. You may additionally get a ton of energy and efficiency for rendering artwork and 3D modeling information, pictures, and movies with the GeForce RTX 3050 graphics card.
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I selected the Dell XPS 15 as the general finest Linux laptop computer for its array of configuration choices that allow you to customise the laptop computer’s construct to completely fit your wants. It additionally options two Thunderbolt 4 ports for connecting secondary shows, charging units, or shortly transferring information. The show makes use of an OLED panel for enhanced shade, distinction, and detailing whereas streaming motion pictures and reveals, creating graphics, or enhancing pictures and movies.
Greatest Linux laptop computer |
Worth |
CPU/GPU |
RAM/storage |
Dell XPS 15 |
$1949 |
twelfth or Thirteenth gen Intel Core, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 |
As much as 64 GB, as much as 8TB |
HP Omen 17 |
$1400 |
Thirteenth gen Intel Core i7-13700HX, Nividia GeForce RTX 4070 |
16GB, 1TB |
Acer Swift Edge |
$1,076 |
AMD Ryzen 7 6800U, AMD Radeon Graphics |
16GB, 1TB |
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 |
$349 |
As much as AMD Ryzen 5 7530U, AMD Radeon Graphics |
8GB, 512GB |
Asus VivoBook Professional |
$920 |
AMD Ryzen 7 6800H, Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 |
16GB, 512GB |
*MSRP at time of writing. Please notice that precise retail pricing might range relying on the vendor in addition to obtainable offers and promotions.
It relies on how a lot expertise you might have utilizing the Linux working system. When you’re simply beginning out, you will wish to go for a laptop computer with lower-end elements and configurations in addition to a cheaper price. By choosing much less subtle, cheaper laptops, you possibly can reduce your tooth on Linux with out dropping a ton of cash if it seems to not be your cup of tea.
Nevertheless, in case you’re operating with extra skilled Linux crowds, chances are you’ll wish to take into account laptops with extra highly effective processors and graphics playing cards that will help you create applications or work with Linux supply code.
Purchase this finest Linux laptop computer… |
When you want… |
Dell XPS 15 |
A well-rounded laptop computer for operating Linux. It options modern elements so you do not have to fret about upgrades. |
HP Omen 17 |
A gaming laptop computer for operating Linux. With an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 GPU, you’ll sort out nearly any indie or triple-A title in your library or in your wishlist. |
Acer Swift Edge |
A Linux-capable laptop computer with an unimaginable show. It options an OLED panel that produces 4K decision and is able to producing as much as one hundred pc of the DCI-P3 shade gamut. |
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 |
A budget-friendly Linux laptop computer. For below $500, you will nonetheless get nice options like Dolby audio help, a 15.6-inch touchscreen show, and quick charging. |
Asus Vivobook Professional |
A Linux-capable laptop computer with a formidable battery life. The Asus Vivobook Professional can present as much as 14.5 hours of use on a full cost. |
What makes a machine worthy of belonging to one of the best Linux laptop computer listing? Clearly, it has to work with Linux and never require the person to do any of the work to make that occur. Past that, listed below are the important thing options we thought-about when compiling this listing:
- Efficiency: I included laptops with present or last-generation elements. This ensures that you will get one of the best efficiency out of your new Linux laptop computer.
- Design: Not all laptops are designed the identical means. I selected laptops with each eye-catching, gamer-inspired designs in addition to laptops that may match proper in a standard workplace setting.
- Price: Since Linux can run on nearly any laptop computer so long as the {hardware} is supported, you possibly can select an older mannequin (or perhaps a used one) to load the working system onto. This implies it can save you cash on upgrades, particularly in case you’re simply beginning out studying Linux.
- Open-source help: Linux is an open-source working system. You could find tons of on-line communities devoted to studying Linux, tweaking supply code, and reporting points.
Linux is an open-source working system, created by Linus Torvalds, that isn’t solely suited to desktops and laptops, however for enterprise-grade servers, container deployments, the cloud, and far more. Linux is obtainable as a distribution and will be downloaded and put in without spending a dime on as many machines as you want.
It is a little bit of an advanced reply.
Sure, you possibly can run Linux working programs on MacBooks, Mac Minis, and Mac desktops. However there is a catch: it’s a must to go for an older mannequin that makes use of an Intel Core processor as an alternative of Apple’s personal M1 or M2 chips. Apple’s silicon chips are beginning to see Linux hobbyists and professionals alike construct help, however on the time of writing, the one dependable option to get Linux to run on an M1/M2 Mac is to make use of a virtual machine which is a kind of emulation program.
The most important hurdles you will must face when utilizing Linux over Home windows or MacOS are the educational curve and common lack of help from brand-name software program corporations. Since Linux is an open-source working system, there is not a single, unified version like there’s for Home windows 11 or macOS Catalina. Because of this it is far more troublesome to program purposes like video games, video gamers, and even climate apps to work persistently throughout all variations of Linux. Totally different variations additionally imply that simply since you’re accustomed to Ubuntu, that does not imply your experience might be of any use on a machine that runs a unique Linux dispo.
Additionally: Windows, Mac, or Linux? We compare the pros and cons of these computing platforms
Since Linux actually solely requires a USB boot drive, you possibly can load Linux onto nearly any laptop computer or desktop you come throughout; together with older fashions with much less highly effective elements. This is a brief listing of Linux-capable laptops I believed have been nice selections:
Best OLED display laptop
Asus Zenbook 14
The Asus Zenbook is the little sister to the Zenbook Pro, and still gives you a great OLED display for content creation, digital art, and streaming. It also features a built-in blue light filter to help reduce eye strain during long days of work or binging your favorite movies and shows.
Best 2-in-1 Linux laptop
Samsung Galaxy Book 2 360
This 2-in-1 laptop from Samsung is a great candidate for a Linux-capable laptop if you’re looking for a way to get the best of both traditional laptops and tablets. The hinge lets you use the Galaxy Book 2 360 as a laptop, in tent mode, or tablet mode for different applications.
Best business laptop
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11
This Intel-based laptop from Lenovo can be configured with up to a 13th-generation Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM, a 2TB SSD, and up to a 2K OLED display. You can also choose either Linux Ubuntu or Linux Fedora as your operating system.