I want a Linux system without having to pay a Microsoft tax. The hardest part of using Linux is to find out the correct hardware. Hardware compatibility and drivers can be a big issue. But where one can find Linux desktops or Laptop for sale? Here are fifteen places to buy a preinstalled Linux Desktop and Laptop.
1. Dell
Dell sells a high-end Redhat Enterprise Linux and Ubuntu Linux-based laptop for business use, developers and sysadmins. If you are a developer and tend to travel a lot, give it a try to “XPS 13 Developer Edition” powered by Ubuntu Linux. Dell also offers precision workstations class laptop with RHEL or Ubuntu operating system. Precision workstations are designed for CG professionals, or as small-scale business servers.
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| Linux pre-loaded Laptop: Yes |
Sample config:
- Dell XPS 13 developer edition
- CPU: 7th Generation Intel Core Processors
- RAM: 8 to 16GB (On board/fixed/No extra slot)
- SSD/HDD: 128GB to 512GB ssd
- Gaphics: Intel integrated graphics (HD Graphics)
- Wireless: Broadcom BCM4352 802.11ac
- Screen: FHD (1920 x 1080) or UltraSharp QHD+ (3200 x 1800) InfinityEdge Touch Display
- Preloaded distro: Ubuntu 16.04 LTS
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| Proprietary driver required: Yes and supported by Linux |
| Certified by the Free Software Foundation: No |
| Open source Libreboot BIOS: No |
| Shipping: Worldwide including USA and Europe |
| More info: XPS 13 Developer Edition Preloaded With Ubuntu |
Dell also offers new 7th generation Intel Core and Intel Xeon processors and workstation GPUs its lineup of Precision workstations powered by RHEL or Ubuntu Linux. These
are extremely high-end devices.2. EmperorLinux
This vendor sells Linux laptops with full hardware support under Linux. You choose the type of machine you want. You choose the distribution you want. You can choose to have a dual-boot machine too. You can specify your partitions and more. EmperorLinux sale Linux laptop from Panasonic, Dell, and Lenovo.
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| Linux pre-loaded Laptop: Yes |
| Config: Various |
| Proprietary driver required: Yes and supported by Linux |
| Certified by the Free Software Foundation: No |
| Open source Libreboot BIOS: No |
| Shipping: USA (international shipping available on request) |
| More info: http://www.emperorlinux.com/ |
3. System76
This vendor sells Ubuntu Linux based laptop, server, and desktop computer. It is one of the most recommended brand by Ubuntu forum members.
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| Linux pre-loaded Laptop: Yes |
| Config: Various |
| Proprietary driver required: Yes (for Nvidia based GPU) |
| Certified by the Free Software Foundation: No |
| Open source Libreboot BIOS/firmware: No |
| Shipping: USA and 55 other countries. |
| More info: system76.com |
4. Linux Certified
This vendor sells Linux services including robust and cost-effective Linux laptops.
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| Linux pre-loaded Laptop: Yes |
| Config: Various |
| Proprietary driver required: Yes |
| Certified by the Free Software Foundation: No |
| Open source Libreboot BIOS/firmware: No |
| Shipping: USA |
| More info: linuxcertified.com |
5. Los Alamos Computers
This vendor sells Lenovo laptop preloaded with Linux operating system. You will find the laptop as per your needs such as performance, everyday computing, ultraportable and economy version.
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| Linux pre-loaded Laptop: Yes |
| Config: Various |
| Proprietary driver required: Yes |
| Certified by the Free Software Foundation: No |
| Open source Libreboot BIOS/firmware: No |
| Shipping: USA |
| More info: laclinux.com |
6. Purism
This vendor sells Linux preloaded on the Librem 13 and the Librem 15 laptops. Purism claims to follow a strict belief in users’ rights to privacy, security, and freedom.
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| Linux pre-loaded Laptop: Yes |
| Config: Various |
| Proprietary driver required: No |
| Certified by the Free Software Foundation: No |
| Open source Libreboot BIOS/firmware: No |
| Shipping: USA and worldwide |
| More info: puri.sm |
7. ThinkPenguin
This vendor sells a laptop with GNU/Linux. The vendor also does test laptop with OpenBSD but only ships with Linux distro.
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| Linux pre-loaded Laptop: Yes |
| Config: Various |
| Proprietary driver required: No |
| Certified by the Free Software Foundation: No |
| Open source Libreboot BIOS/firmware: No |
| Shipping: USA |
| More info: thinkpenguin.com |
8. ZaReason
This vendor sells Linux-based laptop based on rock solid R&D. You can get easy-to-use free and open source software for with each laptop or desktop or server.
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| Linux pre-loaded Laptop: Yes |
| Config: Various |
| Proprietary driver required: Yes (for Nvidia based GPU) |
| Certified by the Free Software Foundation: No |
| Open source Libreboot BIOS/firmware: No |
| Shipping: USA and Canada |
| More info: zareason.com |
9. Minifree
This vendor sells GNU/Linux laptops that are certified to Respect Your Freedom. It means your laptop is 100% free from binary blobs. It runs the FSF-endorsed Trisquel operating system and libreboot firmware on hardware. You can buy an ultracompact or workstation grade laptop from Minifree. Personally, I’m using Libreboot X200 model. Apart from laptops, they have desktop and server grade computers too
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| Linux pre-loaded Laptop: Yes |
Config: (a) Libreboot T400:
- CPU: Core 2 Duo P8400 2.26GHz processor
- RAM: 4GiB to 8Gib (replaceable)
- SSD/HDD #1: 160GB HDD to 240GB SSD (replaceable)
- SSD/HDD #2: 160GB HDD to 240GB SSD (replaceable)
- Graphics: Intel GMA 4500MHD
- Screen: 14.1″ 1280×800 TFT LCD
- Gigabit ethernet as standard
- DVD/CD RW drive included (only if not selecting 2nd HDD/SSD)
- Weight: 2.2 Kg
- Upgraded with an 802.11n wireless card (Atheros AR5B95, AR9285 chipset), ensuring full compatibility with free drivers in Trisquel GNU/Linux-libre.
- Backlight (brightness) control is fully functional in libreboot on this laptop.
- The Intel Management Engine (ME) firmware is 100% removed and inoperable
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| Proprietary driver required: No |
| Certified by the Free Software Foundation: Yes |
| Open source Libreboot BIOS/firmware: Yes |
| Shipping: UK and worldwide |
| More info: minifree.org |
10. Libiquity
This laptop vendor certified to Respect Your Freedom. It means your laptop is 100% free from binary blobs. It runs the FSF-endorsed Trisquel operating system and libreboot firmware on hardware.
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| Linux pre-loaded Laptop: Yes |
Config:
- CPU: Intel Core2 Duo
- Graphics: Mobile Intel Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) 4500MHD
- Screen: 12.1″ 1280×800 TFT LCD
- Wireless: Qualcomm Atheros 2.4-GHz 802.11b/g/n or Qualcomm Atheros 2.4/5.0-GHz 802.11a/b/g/n with long-range Signal Sustain Technology (SST)
- Bluetooth: Broadcom (some models)
- Ethernet: Intel Gigabit Ethernet
- RAM: 2GB to 8GB (replaceable)
- HDD/SDD: 160GB – 240GB ssd or hdd (replaceable)
- Preloaded distro: Trisquel GNU/Linux
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| Proprietary driver required: No |
| Certified by the Free Software Foundation: Yes |
| Open source Libreboot BIOS/firmware: Yes |
| Shipping: USA (for international shipping try minifree) |
| More info: libiquity.com |
11. Entroware
This vendor provides Ubuntu Linux based laptop and desktop solutions including Skylake/Kaby Lake processors .
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| Linux pre-loaded Laptop: Yes |
| Config: Various |
| Proprietary driver required: Yes |
| Certified by the Free Software Foundation: No |
| Open source Libreboot BIOS/firmware: No |
| Shipping: UK and other European countries. |
| More info: entroware.com |
12. Vikings
Yet another vendor that sells FSF certificated laptop, servers and desktop products.
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| Linux pre-loaded Laptop: Yes |
| Config: Various |
| Proprietary driver required: No |
| Certified by the Free Software Foundation: Yes |
| Open source Libreboot BIOS/firmware: Yes |
| Shipping: Germany, other European countries and rest of the world. |
| More info: vikings.net |
13. Litebook
A new cheap Linux laptop called “The Litebook”. It is a 14-inch notebook with an Intel Celeron N3150 quad-core Braswell CPU, a 1920 x 1080 display, 4GB of RAM, and a Elementary OS Linux software.
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| Linux pre-loaded Laptop: Yes comes with Elementary OS |
| Config: Intel Celeron N3150 quad-core, 4GB RAM, replaceable SSD, USB 3.0, Ethernet port, Wifi 802.11N, HDMI, Intel HD with 1920 x 1080 display, and 9 hours battery life |
| Proprietary driver required: No |
| Certified by the Free Software Foundation: No |
| Open source Libreboot BIOS/firmware: No |
| Shipping: USA and rest of the world. |
| More info: litebook.store |
14. Tuxedo computers
TUXEDO Computers from Germany sells laptop and desktops preloaded with Ubuntu Linux. Open your laptop for cleaning and switching parts is covered by their warranty policy.
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| Linux pre-loaded Laptop: Yes comes with Ubuntu OS |
| Config: Various |
| Proprietary driver required: Yes |
| Certified by the Free Software Foundation: No |
| Open source Libreboot BIOS/firmware: No |
| Shipping: Germany and many other places. |
| More info: tuxedocomputers.com |
15. Technoethical
Tehnoetic from Bucharest, Romania (European Union) sells laptop, networking adapters, and mobile phone compatible with operating systems that fully respect users’ freedom as defined by the GNU Project.
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| Linux pre-loaded Laptop: Yes comes with Trisquel OS |
| Config: Various |
| Proprietary driver required: No |
| Certified by the Free Software Foundation: Yes |
| Open source Libreboot BIOS/firmware: Yes |
| Shipping: Worldwide |
| More info: tehnoetic.com |
Bounce: Lenovo
Lenovo ThinkPads, especially X and T series are popular choices for Linux users, sysadmins and developers. Most ThinkPads offers out of the box
Linux compatibility. Here are some of the systems that I’ve used so far:
- ThinkPad X200 CentOS 6.x
- ThinkPad X220 CentOS 6.x
- ThinkPad X230 RHEL 6.x
- ThinkPad X240 RHEL 7.x
- ThinkPad X131e Fedora 20-23
- Thinkpad T400/T440p/T500/T520/T530/W5{10,20,30,4} CentOS and RHEL 6.x or 7.x
Unfortunately, Lenovo does not sell laptop preloaded with Linux to the end users. You need to visit their
Linux Certification page. This vendor included here due to popular demand.
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| Linux pre-loaded Laptop: No but highly recommended and supported by GNU/Linux community |
| Config: Various |
| Proprietary driver required: Yes and supported by Linux |
| Certified by the Free Software Foundation: No |
| Open source Libreboot BIOS: No |
| Shipping: Worldwide |
| More info: Linux for Personal Systems | Lenovo store (US) |
Conclusion
Dell Precision and Latitude machines have worked for me over the years. Original IBM Thinkpads too. Currently, I’m using the following systems:
- Lenovo x230 with OpenBSD (personal system)
- Dell m6700 workstation with Ubuntu 14.04 LTS Linux (my work laptop issued by my employer)
- Minifree Libreboot X200 with Gnu Trisquel Linux (my travel laptop)
System76 looks better with excellent hardware, and high quality too. You can just buy it and start working on it. No need to worry about drivers or suspend issue. Same with other vendors mentioned in this post. The FSF only recommends the Minifree or Libiquity vendor. Both of them sell modified ThinkPads. So the hardware is pretty reasonable, and you get 100% binary blob free environments.
What laptop do you recommend for use with Linux? Please add your advice on what to avoid. Any horror stories about particular vendors?
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System76 brings 4K display Ubuntu Linux laptop for Pro users
Finally, some good news for Apple fans who crashed System76 website a few days back. Apple makes a good laptop. However, they lack the option to add additional RAM or ports or graphics card. The new System76 Oryx laptop has a 4K HiDPI display. If you are a sysadmin, DevOps, or developer, give it a try to System76.
Configuration
- Operating System: Ubuntu 16.04.01 LTS (64-bit) or Ubuntu 16.10 (64-bit)
- CPU: 6th Gen Intel Core i7 – 2.6 up to 3.6 GHz Quad-Core
- Display: 15.6″ or 17.3″ 1920×1080 matte, IPS option available. 15.6″ 3840×2160 4K HiDPI option available.
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 or 1070
- RAM: Up to 64 GB dual-channel DDR4 @ 2400 MHz
- Storage: M.2 SSD and SATA. Total up to 5 TB.
- Ports: 2× USB 3.1 Type-C, 3× USB 3.0 Type-A, SD Card Reader
- Input: Multitouch Touchpad, Multi-Color Backlit Keyboard
- Networking: Gigabit Ethernet, Intel Wireless-AC WiFi
- Video Ports: 1× HDMI, 2× Mini DisplayPort
- Audio: Stereo Speakers, Stereo Mic, Headphone Jack, Mic Jack, S/PDIF
- Camera: 1080p HD Webcam
- Battery: Li-Polymer – 60 Wh
You can remove Ubuntu and install other Linux distros such as Fedora or Arch or Debian Linux. I suggest you stick with a cutting-edge distro with the latest kernel for better support.
Is HiDPI supported by all apps on Linux?
HiDPI (High Dots Per Inch) displays, also known by Apple’s “Retina Display” marketing name, are screens with a high resolution in a relatively small format. They are mostly found in high-end laptops and monitors. Not all software behaves well in high-resolution mode yet.
Here are listed most common tweaks which make work on a HiDPI screen more pleasant.
Where can I get it?
You can order it online at the following location:
https://system76.com/cart/configure/oryp2