Buying guide for shopping guide for best linux laptops
While most computer users are familiar with mainstream operating systems like Windows, MacOS, or Chrome OS, there’s another option: Linux. Linux is an open-source operating system, meaning it’s free, and anyone can modify it and create different versions. In fact, there are hundreds of different kinds of Linux, ranging from sparse developer-friendly versions to consumer-friendly versions that look and feel like other mainstream operating systems.
Because Linux isn’t owned by anyone, it’s up to hardware manufacturers to make it available on their computers or provide tools to help users do it themselves. Most major computer makers offer at least a few Linux-friendly laptops and, in some cases, users take it upon themselves to write drivers and software themselves. If you’re new to Linux, it’s best to find a laptop with it preinstalled, but if you’re a veteran user, you can look for a compatible laptop and install Linux on your own.
If you’re ready to join the thousands of users around the world enjoying the simplicity and stability of Linux, you’re in luck — there are plenty of great, affordable options that make Linux easy to learn and use. Here’s what you need to know to find the right Linux laptop for yourself.
Key considerations
When it comes to laptops, it’s easy to overspend. Keep costs down by considering these three questions before you shop:
Which version of Linux do you plan on using? This is the most important decision to make ahead of time so you know what you’re getting. For example, most first-timers opt for Mint Linux or Ubuntu Linux, because they’re so user friendly for Linux newbies. Once you know which version of Linux you’ll be using, you can then limit your search to only include models that support your version of choice.
Do you need a laptop with a touchscreen? More and more laptops are shipping with touchscreen displays, so you can use them both as a laptop and a tablet. These laptops, dubbed “2-in-1s,” are great if you need a machine that’s flexible enough to do both. But as you might expect, touchscreens drive up costs overall. The bottom line: if you’re looking for a laptop/tablet hybrid, pick up a 2-in-1 and get the best of both worlds.
- Will you be using your laptop for gaming? If you’re a computer gamer, you can save money by buying a Linux gaming laptop — just make sure it has enough video horsepower on board. Gaming laptops have separate graphics processing units (GPUs), which handle all of the video rendering for fast-paced games, so be sure to get one that’s got a powerful GPU. If you see a Linux laptop with “integrated graphics,” don’t plan on using it for gaming; that term means it doesn’t have a separate GPU and instead relies on the central processing unit (CPU) to handle graphics, which is less than ideal.
Features
Here are the tech specs to compare as you’re looking at different Linux laptops:
Driver support. The single most important factor when it comes to Linux on laptops is driver support. Drivers are, essentially, the instructions that allow an operating system to interact with and control hardware components. Practically every aspect of a laptop’s hardware has drivers, from the display to the keyboard to the USB inputs. If you’re buying a laptop with Linux preinstalled, you can be certain the manufacturer has provided drivers. If you’re planning on installing Linux to a laptop that initially comes with a different operating system, research ahead of time to make sure the version of Linux you’re installing has all of the necessary drivers for the laptop hardware before you begin the process. (If you try and install Linux without full driver support, you won’t be able to use critical hardware features.)
CPU. A laptop’s central processing unit, better known as the CPU, is the heart of your computer. Everything flows through it — and faster CPUs can process more information, so your computer can run faster. Faster CPUs are more expensive, so keep in mind that less expensive Linux laptops run slower than more expensive ones.
RAM. Random access memory (RAM) is the memory computers use to handle multiple tasks at once. Not enough RAM can make any laptop slow, so it’s important to get a Linux laptop with 4GB of RAM at a bare minimum.
- File storage. There are two types of file storage devices in laptops: traditional hard drives and solid-state drives. Traditional hard drives come in larger capacities but are more error-prone, since they have moving parts. Solid-state drives (SSDs) come in lower capacities but are significantly faster. (If you’re ever wondering if an SSD upgrade from a traditional hard drive is worth it, it always is.)
Linux laptop prices
Inexpensive: In the $200 to $350 range, you’ll find plenty of Linux laptops geared toward casual users. Models in this price range are usually underwhelming hardware-wise; they typically rely on slower processors and include only the bare minimum of RAM. That said, Linux is built for running on minimal hardware, so entry-level users can have good experiences on laptops from this price range.
Mid-range: Between $500 and $700 is where it starts to get interesting. In this price range, you’ll find laptops that hit the sweet spot of power and affordability — so it’s not hard to find models with fast CPUs, plenty of RAM, and forward-looking tech like USB-C ports, Bluetooth, and 802.11ac WiFi.
Expensive: In the $800 to $1,200 price range, you’ll find the most powerful Linux laptops out there. Expect to pay this much if you’ve got high end or specific needs — for example, if you’re going to use a Linux laptop for your daily job or for gaming, you’ll need to spend this much to get one that’s got the appropriate hardware inside.
Tips
Only buy from manufacturers you know. There are a lot of no-name computers out there that run Linux, but we recommend avoiding them. Linux is community-supported, and that means that if you ever need help, you’ll need to reach out to others who own the same hardware as you — which can be really difficult if your laptop is made by a smaller, no-name manufacturer. Stick to brands like Lenovo, HP, Dell, ASUS, System76, Acer, Microsoft, Toshiba, Star Labs, or Samsung.
Make sure your accessories like your printer are all Linux-compatible. When it comes to getting all your hardware to work correctly with Linux, don’t forget about your peripherals. Consider all of the hardware that your computer connects to, from your printer to external hard drives, and triple-check to make sure all of them are Linux-friendly. If you have any accessories that aren’t compatible, consider getting a laptop with a different version of Linux or buying new accessories.
- If you plan on installing a different version of Linux than the one your laptop comes with, get a USB flash drive for use during installation. In the old days, it was common to use CDs or DVDs to install operating systems, but these days, it happens more often using USB flash drives. Get a USB flash drive with at least 16GB of space. You’ll need to load Linux onto it, and then use it to install Linux on your laptop.
FAQ
Q. Can I install Linux on an Apple laptop?
A. You can, but we wouldn’t recommend it. While some users have had limited success getting Linux to run on Apple hardware, driver support and stability are anything but reliable. If you’ve got an Apple computer and you want to try out Linux, consider creating a virtual machine using software like VirtualBox and installing Linux there.
Q. How technical do I need to be to install Linux on a laptop?
A. Not very. Most consumer-friendly versions of Linux, such as Ubuntu Linux, are made to take the headache out of installation. If you buy a laptop and you need to install Linux on it yourself, read up on the installation process ahead of time so you know what to expect.
Q. Is Linux hard to learn as an operating system?
A. Linux is getting more user-friendly every day — and there are versions of Linux that are just as easy to use as Windows or MacOS. If you’re accustomed to mainstream operating systems, stick with mainstream versions of Linux (like Mint or Ubuntu) and the transition will be virtually seamless. Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can learn more about advanced Linux usage through things like a command line interface, where you interact with a machine by using code instead of traditional software.
