HARDWARE
Top 10 Best Linux Laptops Out Right Now
Linux has a cult following and for good reason. From powerful functionality to robust services, it is hard to beat a Linux laptop when it comes to day-in, day-out use. Preferred by everyone from programmers to hacking communities, Linux laptops are some of the best hardware out there for someone just learning to code or who has done it for years. They’re just a superior option to a Windows or Mac machine in many, many ways.
But you already know that, right? That’s why you’re here to find out about the best Linux laptops out on the market right now. And we’ve got you covered. In this article we will discuss the 10 best Linux laptops currently available on the market and why you should consider adding them to your arsenal. There’s a device at every price point and budget consideration so you should be able to find something that hits that sweet spot for you.
1. System76 Galago Pro
2. Penguin J2
3. Star LabTop
4. System76 Serval WS
5. Dell XPS 13
6. Libreboot X200 Tablet
7. Pureism Librem 13
8. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon 6th Gen
9. Pureism Librem 15
10. Libreboot X200
If you buy something through this post, HWN may get a share of the sale.
Here are the 10 best Linux laptops currently available:
1. System76 Galago Pro
Equipped with a 32GB RAM as well as a 8th gen i7 processor. In addition to that, it has a HDMI connector, Thunderbolt, USB-C, and SD card slot. Basically it can interface with any accessory you throw at it and it is this kind of versatility that makes it a really attractive option for Linux consumers. Probably ideal for people who work with a lot of media in Linux, the System76 Galago Pro comes with either a 13-inch screen or 14-inch screen option.
2. Penguin J2
If you’re looking for Apple styling with up to a i7-8565U processor and 32GB RAM, then the Penguin J2 is your laptop. Aside from dynamic, sleek styling it also has a load of ports and, unlike Apple, works with most of your accessories. Nothing is sacrificed in this laptop but it isn’t the most powerful book on this list. Probably best for those users that don’t mind sacrificing performance in favor of timeless style.
3. Star LabTop
Another security focused laptop, the Star LabTop also offers a ton of connection ports such as a USB-C port, 2 USB 3.0 ports, one HDMI port, as well as a Micro SD card reader. Outside of that, it also has the kill switches you would expect for a security-oriented Linux machine and comes running either Ubuntu or Mint depending on your preferences.
4. System76 Serval WS
This is the true powerhouse of the bunch and is configurable up to 64GB of RAM with a GeForce RTX20-series GPU installed. The monitor comes in at a whopping 15-inch or 17-inch configuration. The only drawback to all of this is that this laptop weighs a lot – think seven and half pounds and eight and half pounds respectively depending on your monitor’s size.
But if you need a laptop that can run Linux and pretty much everything else you throw at it, there’s no better option than the System76 Serval WS. It just might be a little bit of overkill for most of us out here. You also get all the ports you could ever need in addition to all that capability.
5. Dell XPS 13
What you get with this Dell XPS 13 is an awesomely powerful 8th gen Kaby Lake i7-8565U processor. That comes backed up with 16GB of RAM, and 2TB solid-state drive (SSD). All of this is put into a compact, sleek form factor that doesn’t take up much luggage real estate which should make it ideal for travel.
Dell is typically a pretty Linux friendly company, but the XPS 13 is starting to stand alone among its current offerings for boldly proclaiming Linux compatibility and preinstallation. You can’t go wrong with this choice really and it is a great middle-of-the-road option.
6. Libreboot X200 Tablet
This strange hybrid is both a tablet and a laptop for Linux but it isn’t quite what you would think of when you imagine that combination. A little clunkier than most convertible laptops, the Libreboot X200 tablet is designed and shipped by a company called Ministry of Freedom and the laptop itself runs a build of Linux called Trisquel GNU/Linux, a derivative of Ubuntu.
7. Pureism Librem 13
What makes this laptop special, aside from its awesome performance and power, is the fact that it is so focused on security above and beyond all the other devices on this list. It comes with a bespoke Linux-based OS, PureOS, and it even has hardware kill switches that can target the microphone, webcam, or even the entire computer itself. It’s quite a piece of kit and one that anyone working with secure and sensitive data will want to give a look. Above that, the design is really, really cool and probably one of the more compellingly attractive offerings on this list.
8. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon 6th Gen
You can mod up this laptop to run Linux without a problem but don’t expect to have the most powerful laptop on the block. Still, for what you spend, you’re getting incredibly robust performance and, best of all, the Lenovo ThinkPad form factor that many consumers love. In terms of what kind of consumer would like this type of laptop we can imagine that it is the perfect workhorse for home and travel. It might also be well suited to working in an office but we can imagine most programmers and professionals would want something a little more substantive than the Lenovo ThinkPad.
9. Pureism Librem 15
A bigger monitor capable of 4K display and a superlight form factor make this laptop the perfect choice for consumers that want something a little larger than the Pureism Librem 13. Probably best suited, again, for people that work with a lot of media, the display by itself will be sure to best most of the competition out there in the Linux category.
10. Libreboot X200
This the hybrid tablet machine without the tablet functionality. Basically, it is perfect for someone that is a fan of the basic style of the Librebot X200 tablet but doesn’t want to deal with the sometimes questionable quality that hybrids exhibit. You can’t go wrong with either purchas but, that said, there’s nothing really compelling you to get the traditional style over the really cool hybrid product outside of individual preference.
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