Are you looking for a Linux laptop? Here’s a list of e-commerce vendors that sell Linux PCS or specialize in Linux.
Almost every computer on the market today (apple excepted) comes pre-installed with Windows. The common practice for Linux users is to buy one of these machines and either delete Windows and install Linux, or install Linux and Windows.
But Windows is not inevitable. You can actually buy a Linux computer.
But why buy a computer with Linux pre-installed when you can easily install it on any computer? Here are a few reasons:
- Preinstalling Windows means you pay extra for a Windows license. You can save money on that.
- Computers with Linux pre-installed have been hardware-tested. You don’t have to worry about WiFi or Bluetooth, and you don’t have to do it yourself.
- Buying a Linux PC is an indirect endorsement of Linux. More sales could reflect the demand for Linux products, and more merchants could offer Linux as an operating system of choice.
If you’re looking to buy a Linux laptop, consider my advice. Each of the following manufacturers or vendors offers Linux out of the box.
10 places to buy a Linux laptop or desktop
Before I reveal this list of vendors offering Pre-loaded Linux PCS, a caveat.
Please buy according to your independent decision. I’m simply listing a few vendors that sell Linux PCS here, and I don’t guarantee their product quality, after-sales service, or anything like that.
This is not a leaderboard. The list is not in any particular order, and the number before each item is for convenience of counting and does not represent ranking.
Let’s see where you can buy a desktop or laptop with Linux pre-installed.
1, dell inc.
Dell has offered Ubuntu notebooks for several years. One of the highlights of their flagship XPS line is the pre-installed Ubuntu developer edition series.
If you’ve read my Dell XPS Ubuntu review, YOU know I love this laptop. More than two years later, the laptop is still in good condition, with no signs of deterioration.
The Dell XPS is an expensive device that costs more than $1,000. If you don’t have that kind of budget, consider Dell’s more accessible Inspiron notebooks.
It’s worth noting that Dell doesn’t show Ubuntu or Linux laptops on its website. Unless you know Dell offers Linux laptops, you won’t find them.
So, go to the Dell website and search for the keyword “Ubuntu” to get information on products with Ubuntu installed.
Support: Most of the world.
- dell
2, System76
System76 is a big name in the Linux computer world. The US-BASED company specialises in high-end technology devices running Linux. Their target audience is software developers.
Initially, System76 offered Ubuntu on its own machines. In 2017, they released their own Linux distribution, based on Ubuntu’s Pop! _OS. Since then, Pop! _OS is the default operating system on their machine, but Ubuntu is still the option.
In addition to performance, System76 has a strong emphasis on design. Their Thelio line of desktops are designed in handmade wood.
You can check out the Linux notebooks they offer here. They also offer Linux-based mini-computers and servers.
It’s worth noting that System76 makes their computers in the us, rather than using the usual options of China or Taiwan. Perhaps for this reason, their products are more expensive.
Range of support: The U.S. and 60 other countries. There may be additional tariffs outside the United States. See here for more information.
- System76
3, Purism
Purism is a US-BASED company that prides itself on providing products and services that ensure data security and privacy. That’s why Purism calls itself a “social company.”
Purism began as a crowdfunding project to create a high-end open source laptop with almost no proprietary software. From this successful $250,000 crowdfunding campaign came the Librem 15 laptop in 2015.
Purism later released a 13-inch version of the Librem 13. Purism has also developed its own Linux distribution, Pure OS, which is very privacy – and security-conscious.
Pure OS runs on both desktop and mobile devices and is the default operating system for Librem notebooks and Librem 5 Linux phones.
Purism’s components come from China, Taiwan and Japan, as well as the United States, where it is assembled. All of their devices have hardware switches that can be turned off directly to turn off microphones, cameras, wireless connections or Bluetooth.
Scope of support: worldwide international free mail. Additional duties may be required.
4, Slimbook
Slimbook is a Linux PC vendor based in Spain. Slimbook has been in the spotlight since it released its first KDE laptop.
Their offerings are not limited to KDE Neon. They also offer Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Ubuntu MATE, Linux Mint, and Spanish distributions including Lliurex and Max. You can also choose Windows (for an extra fee) or no operating system.
The Slimbook comes with a wide selection of Linux laptops, desktops, and minicomputers. Their other great product is an iMac-like 24-inch curved display with a built-in CPU.
Want a water-cooled Linux computer? Slimbook’s Kymera Aqua is a good fit.
Range of support: Worldwide, although there may be additional charges for postage and customs.
- Slimbook
5, TUXEDO
Another European member of the Linux PC vendor list, TUXEDO is based in Germany and serves mainly German users, followed by European users.
TUXEDO uses Only Linux, and its products are “made in Germany” and come with a 5-year warranty and lifetime after-sales support.
TUXEDO has put a lot of effort into Linux hardware adaptation. And if you run into trouble or want to start from scratch, you can use the System Restore option to automatically restore factory Settings.
TUXEDO has a wide selection of Linux laptops, desktops, and minicomputers. They also support both Intel and AMD processors. In addition to computers, TUXEDO also offers a range of Linux-enabled accessories such as docking stations, DVD and Blu-ray recorders, power supplies and other peripherals.
Range of support: Free shipping in Germany and Europe for orders over 150 euros. There will be additional freight and duties for countries outside Europe. See here for more information.
- TUXEDO
6, Vikings
Vikings is based in Germany (not Scandinavia, haha). Vikings is certified by the Free Software Foundation and focuses on free and friendly hardware.
Vikings’ Linux laptops and desktops use coreboot or Libreboot instead of proprietary boot systems like BIOS and UEFI. You can also buy hardware servers that don’t run any proprietary software.
Vikings also has other accessories including routers, docking docks and more. Their products are all assembled in Germany.
Range of support: Worldwide (except North Korea). There may be additional tariff charges for non-European countries. See here for more information.
- Vikings
7, Ubuntushop. Be
No, no! Despite the name, this is not the official Ubuntu store. Based in Belgium, Ubuntu Hop started out selling computers with Ubuntu installed.
Today, you can buy laptops preloaded with Linux distributions including Mint, Manjaro and elementrayOS. You can also request that the distribution of your choice be installed on the device you purchase.
One unique aspect of ubuntu Hop is that all of its computers come with the default Tails OS Live option. Even if you have some other Linux distribution installed as a system for everyday use, Tails OS can always be booted (no need to use Live USB). Tails OS is a Debian-based distribution that removes all traces of usage after a user logs out and uses the Tor network by default.
Unlike many of the other important players on this list, I feel that what Ubuntu Hop offers is more of a “home craft.” Businesses manually assemble a computer, install Linux and sell it to you. But they have also worked on some options, such as easily reinstalling the system and having their own cloud servers.
You can take an old computer and ship it to them, turn it into a new Linux computer, and they’ll install lightweight Linux on your old computer and ship it back, and you can put your old computer back to work.
Support: Belgium and other parts of Europe.
8 Minifree.
Minifree, which stands for Ministry of Freedom, is a company registered in England.
As you can guess, Minifree takes freedom very seriously. They offer secure and privation-conscious computers with Libreboot pre-installed instead of BIOS or UEFI.
Minifree’s devices are certified by the Free Software Foundation, so you can safely buy a computer that follows foSS guidelines.
Unlike many of the other Linux laptop vendors on this list, Minifree computers aren’t particularly expensive. For 200 euros you can buy a Linux PC with Libreboot and Trisquel GNU/Linux pre-installed.
In addition to laptops, Minifree comes with a range of accessories such as Libre routers, tablets, docking docks, batteries, keyboards, mice and more.
If, like Richard Stallman, you want to run only 100% free software, Minifree is for you.
Range of support: Worldwide. See here for freight information.
- Minifree
9 Entroware.
Entroware is another UK-based vendor that specialises in Linux-based laptops, desktops and servers.
Entroware, like many of the other vendors on this list, has chosen Ubuntu as a Linux distribution. Ubuntu MATE is also an optional system for Entroware Linux notebooks.
In addition to laptops, desktops, and servers, Entroware has its own Aura mini-computer, as well as Ares, an iMac-style display with a built-in CPU.
Support: UK, Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, Spain.
- Entroware
10, Juno
This is one of the new Linux notebook vendors on our list. Juno, also based in the UK, offers Computers with Linux pre-installed. Available Linux distributions include Elementary OS, Ubuntu, and Solus OS.
Juno offers a range of laptops, as well as one called the Olympia Mini. Like most of the minicomputers offered by other vendors on this list, Olympia is basically an Intel NUC.
Juno’s main feature is Juve, a low-cost alternative to the $299 Chromebook. It runs a dual operating system, including Solus or Elementray, and Prime OS, an Android-based computer operating system.
Support: UK, USA, Canada, Mexico, Most of South America and Europe, New Zealand, Asia and some parts of Africa. See here for more information.
- Juno Computers
Honorable mention
I’ve listed 10 places where you can buy a Linux PC, but there are other similar stores. There’s not enough room on the list, and several of them seem to be out of stock on most items. But I’ll mention them here so you can look them up for yourself:
- ZaReason
- Libiquity
- StationX
- Linux Certified
- Think Penguin
Other major PC makers, including Acer and Lenovo, probably have Products based on Linux, so you might want to check their catalogs as well.
Have you ever bought a Linux computer? Where did you get it? How is the experience? Is a Linux laptop worth buying? Share your thoughts.
Via: itsfoss.com/get-linux-l…
By Abhishek Prakash, lujun9972
This article is originally compiled by LCTT and released in Linux China