Ubuntu Laptops: Top 10 Picks
Summary: Are you planning to buy an Ubuntu laptop? Ubuntu is an open-source desktop OS (operating system) based on Linux distribution that powers numerous desktops and laptops across the globe.
Introduction
When buying a laptop, we mainly look for a system with a decent CPU and RAM. Depending on our requirements, we also search for the one that offers adequate space, a regular web browsing facility, and productivity. Some of you may also want the system to be compatible with video streaming and light to heavy gaming.
You get all of these and much more with Ubuntu laptops. Many renowned PC manufacturing brands certify Ubuntu for their laptops to ensure fast, smooth, reliable, and efficient performance. Ubuntu laptops come with high-end software.
The best part is that they are free of viruses and use fewer resources (your computers) than their counterparts. Ubuntu-certified hardware, from top-end workstations to super-portable systems, goes through stringent testing and quality review procedures. This approach ensures it runs well, sans any troubles.
Let us explore the range of Ubuntu laptops.
Top 10 Ubuntu Laptops
1. Dell XPS 12 Developer Edition Ubuntu Laptop
The Dell XPS 12 Developer Edition comes with a 1TB solid-state drive. Pretty large. Huh? Plus, it features 16Gb of dedicated RAM and an 8th generation Intel Core i7 processor. It is the first Ubuntu laptop to feature pre-installed Ubuntu 20.04 LTS. So, you can work on it right away after unboxing.
● Operating system: Pre-loaded Ubuntu 20.04 LTS
● Processor: 8th generation Intel® Core™
● Body: CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machined aluminum, high-quality and aerospace-inspired woven glass fibre
● Design: Lightweight design, compact, and sturdy
● Display: A large and vivid 16:10 display with Eyesafe® display technology
● Keyboard: Newly-designed edge-to-edge keyboard with larger touchpad and keycaps
● Battery Life: 18 H and 49 Mins on FHD+
Pros
Weighs 2.99-pound (lightweight)
16 GB RAM
Price on the higher end
1TB solid-state
Long battery life
Robust processor
2. Galago Pro 14"
Galago Pro 14" from the house of System 76 comes with a durable and lightweight chassis for long life. With this Ubuntu laptop, you have access to multiple ports, including Ethernet and Thunderbolt 4.
● Operating System: Ubuntu 22.04 LTS
● Processor: 11th Gen Intel® Core i5–1135G7/11th Gen Intel® Core i7–1165G7
● Display: 14.1″ screen Matte finish 1920×1080 FHD
● Graphics: Intel® Iris Xe Graphics, NVIDIA RTX 3050 (optional)
● Memory: 64GB dual-channel DDR4 @ 3200MHz
● Keypad: Backlit Chiclet QWERTY (US) keypad, Multi-Touch clickpad
● Weight: 3.1 lbs base weight
Pros
11th Gen Intel® Core i7
Amazing WiFi range and connectivity
Room for improvement in battery life
Best-in-class HiDPI display
The matte finish screen is wow!
3. HP Chromebook
HP Chromebook x360 14c rules the roost in terms of versatility, performance, and best-in-class security features. It allows you to multitask and bring creativity to life like never before.
● Operating system: Ubuntu-friendly
● Processor: 11th Generation Intel® Core™ i3 processor
● Display: 14" diagonal, full-HD 1920 X 1080 display with Corning® Gorilla® Glass
● Memory: 8 GB memory with 256 GB SSD storage space
● Graphics: Intel® UHD Graphics
● Keypad: Full-size mineral silver keyboard with backlit feature
● Audio features: Dual speakers by Bang and Olufsen
● Sensors: Comes with Gyroscope and Accelerometer
Pros
360-degree convertible design
Decent battery
Lack of 2K display
Backlit keyboard
Good security features
Multiple connectivity options
Lightweight
4. Gazelle (17" GAZELLE WITH NVIDIA GEFORCE RTX 3060)
https://system76.com/laptops/gazelle
Enjoy the perks of a full, matte HD screen with slim bezels and improve your viewing experience with this Ubuntu Laptop. Its immersive display, outstanding input, and incredible performance make you fall for it.
Product Specifications:
● Operating System: Ubuntu 22.04 LTS
● Processor: 12th Gen Intel® Core i7
● Graphics: Switchable, Intel® Iris Xe Graphics, and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050/3050 Ti/3060
● Keypad: Fully Backlit Chiclet QWERTY Keyboard, Multicolor, Multitouch touch
● Memory: 64 GB dual-channel DDR4
● Networking options: WiFi6, Ethernet, Bluetooth 5
● Security features: Kensington® Lock
Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 Convertible
It is a two-in-one, 13-inch convertible laptop that comes with an attractive HDR display. The incredible performance of this laptop will make you fall for it.
Product Specifications:
● Operating System: Ubuntu-compatible
● Processor: 10th Gen Intel® Core™ processor
● Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650
● Keypad: Next Generation MagLev keyboard
● Memory: 32 GB
● Networking options: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
Pros
Incredible full HD display
Ubuntu friendly
Core temperatures high
Amazing keywords
Good battery life
5. Asus ZenBook Ubuntu Laptop
It is a cost-effective, Ubuntu-friendly, high-performing laptop that allows you to carry out multiple functions. Its compact, portable design with a sleek form makes it a lightweight option.
The Asus Zenbook is ideal for frequent travelers because it weighs only 2.5 pounds.
Product specifications:
● Operating System: Ubuntu-friendly
● Processor: Intel® Core™ i7–8565U/Intel® Core™ i5–8265U
● Graphics: NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 1050 Max-Q/Integrated Intel® UHD Graphics 620 (Switchable)
● Memory: 8GB / 16GB 2400MHz DDR4
● Display: 15.6” LED-backlit FHD (1920 x 1080) anti-glare or standard screen, 92% screen:body ratio, frameless (4-way) NanoEdge design
● Keyboard: Full-size backlit keyboard, PTP (Precision Touchpad) technology, intelligent palm-rejection
● Battery: Up to 17 hours
Pros
Comfortable keyboard
Mixed performance
Backlit keyboard
The display could be a little brighter
Great audio
Stunning and sturdy design
Decent memory
Decent battery life
6. Acer Aspire E
Are you seeking high-quality components to run a Ubuntu laptop?
The Acer Aspire E laptop is the ideal choice for you. It has a wide range of incredible features that will take the load away from your work.
Product specifications:
● Operating system: Ubuntu friendly
● Processor: 8th Generation Intel Core i5–8250U
● Display: 5.6" Full HD (1920 x 1080), IPS Display
● Memory and Storage: 8GB Channel Memory with 256GB solid-state memory
● Battery Life: Up to 15 hours of battery life
● Weight: 5.27 Pound
● Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce MX150
Pros
Comfortable keyboard
Mixed performance
Backlit keyboard
Price on the higher end
Powerful graphics card
Weighs more than 5 pounds, bulky
8 GB RAM
256 GB Solid State Memory
Decent battery life for up to 15 hours
7. Lenovo Thinkpad
If you are looking for a standout design of Ubuntu laptop with impressive features, you should consider Lenovo Thinkpad. It comes with a sleek and thinner-than-average make. So, you can easily put it into your laptop sleeves.
Product Specifications:
● Operating System: Linux Ubuntu-friendly
● Processor: 10th Generation Intel Core™ i3 / i5 / i7 Processor
● Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics Integrated/AMD Radeon™ 625
● Keyboard: Spill-resistant, 6-row, backlit
● Battery life: Up to 12 hours when fully charged
● Physical Security Key: Kensington® Security Slot
● Monitor Displays: Supports around three individual displays
Pros
Comfortable keyboard
Price on the higher end
Backlit keyboard
Thin but weighs more than 4 pounds
Powerful graphics card
Stunning full HD display
512 GB Solid State Drive (SSD)
Decent battery life for up to 12 hours
8. Acer Chromebook 15
Are you on a budget looking for a pocket-friendly laptop that is Ubuntu-friendly?
The Acer Chromebook 15 provides a great option. It comes with smart features, including 32GB of eMMc flash storage.
Product Specifications:
● Operating System: Ubuntu-friendly
● Graphics: Intel® HD Graphics 505
● Battery life: up to 12 hours when fully charged
● Display: 15. 6-Inch Full HD IPS
● RAM: 4 GB
● Memory: 32GB of eMMc flash storage
● Weight: 4.85 Pounds
Pros
Comfortable keyboard
4 GB RAM
Backlit keyboard
Heavy with a weight of around 5 pounds
Powerful graphics card
Stunning full HD display
Decent battery life for up to 12 hours
9. Asus Chromebook Flip
Do you want an Ubuntu laptop that offers longevity at its best?
The Asus Chromebook Flip is a model to last. It comes with a precision-crafted aluminium body and display of Corning Gorilla Glass. Besides, it also offers many enticing and durable features.
Product Specifications:
● Operating System: Ubuntu compatible
● Processor: Intel® Core™ i5–10210U/Intel® Core™ i3–10110U/Intel® Core™ i7–10510U
● Graphics: Intel® UHD Graphics
● Display: 14" touch screen, full HD display (1920 x 1080), 85% screen:body ratio
● Keyboard: Backlit Chiclet Keyboard with 1.2mm Key-travel
● Security Features: Fingerprint sensor and Titan C Security Chip
● Memory: 8GB LPDDR3/16GB LPDDR3/16G LPDDR3/8G LPDDR3 onboard
Pros
Lightweight
4 GB RAM
Backlit keyboard
Inadequate integrated storage
Powerful graphics card
Stunning full HD display with a 360-degree hinge
Decent battery life for up to 10 hours
10.Acer Predator Helios 300
Are you an avid gamer looking for the perfect gaming laptop? The Acer Predator Helios 300 is the one for you. It features HDMI 2.0 and DisplayPort 1.4 to provide a wide and distinct gaming experience. Plus, its Waves MaxxAudio makes everything come to reality.
Product Specifications:
● Operating System: Compatible with Ubuntu
● Display: 15.6" full-HD LED Backlit ComfyView TFT LCD Display with an aspect ratio of 16:9
● Graphic Processor: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060
● Keyboard: FineTip RGB Backlit with Independent Standard Numeric Keypad
● Security Port: Kensington Lock Slot
● Processor: 10th Gen Intel Core i7
● RAM: 16 GB of DDR4 2666
Pros
Lightweight
A lot of RAM enables multitasking
Heavy with a weight of up to 6 pounds
Powerful graphics card
512 GB Solid State Drive
A good option for gamers with a refresh rate of 144 Hz
Best 3 Features for You
Refer to the following table to learn about the top three features of Ubuntu-based laptops:
Dell XPS 12
Galago
HP Chromebook
Best Value for Money
The Ubuntu laptop that offers the best value for money is the Acer Chromebook 15 (Ubuntu-Based). If you intend to buy a powerful and high-performing laptop on a low budget, the Acer Chromebook 15 offers the best value for money. It comes with a full HD touch display and long-lasting battery backup, making you feel like using a tablet.
Best Overall
When it comes to naming the best Ubuntu-compatible laptop considering the overall features, the Acer Predator Helios 300 is the best choice. It has advanced features, including a high-end 7th generation Intel Core i7 CPU and 16 GB dedicated RAM (DDR4).
Its large 512GB solid-state drive is also speedy, along with a 144Hz refresh rate. No wonder gamers swear by this laptop. It also comes with the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 graphics card with long battery life. Talking about its cost, it offers complete value for money.
So, overall, the Acer Predator Helios 300 wins the race in terms of overall features.
How to Find the Perfect Ubuntu Laptop?
Do you want to break free from what is called a stereotypical choice of operating system?
Are you looking for an Ubuntu laptop?
Well!
Do you know you can find a pre-installed Linux operating system with your laptop?
Yes, you read it right.
Owing to the popularity of the Linux distribution system, manufacturers are now making laptops with preloaded Ubuntu operating systems. Besides, you will also find Ubuntu-compatible systems in the market that allow easy installation of the OS.
So, make a list of the features you are looking for and check if or not it comes with a pre-installed Linux OS or is Ubuntu-compatible.
Product Price Table
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What makes Ubuntu set apart?
It is a free-to-use and open-source OS. It is more secure, resource-friendly, and customizable. Plus, as it is based on Linux distribution, it is more stable and operates without installation. It needs minimum system or hardware requirements. Overall, it is a decent operating system.
2. Ubuntu: What is it all about?
It is a Linux-oriented operating system for computers (desktops and laptops), smartphones, and network servers. A UK-based firm, Canonical Ltd., developed the Ubuntu OS. The operating system depends on open-source software development regulations.
3. Do I need to install a different Linux environment on your Chromebook to run Linux apps?
No. You do not need to install a different Linux environment on your Chromebook to run Linux apps. Chromebooks come with a Linux kernel.
However, there are disadvantages to using a Chromebook as a Linux-oriented PC. Firstly, the former is not designed for the same. Secondly, they come with small storage.
4. What if you buy a laptop that does not have Linux? Can you install one?
Yes, even if you buy a laptop that does not feature Linux, you can always install Linux Operating System later on.
5. Which one is a better choice for Linux — AMD or Intel?
As far as running Linux is concerned, Intel is a better option than AMD. The former directly adds to the Linux Kernel. It supports the chips out-of-the-box with its open-source Linux distribution driver. Compatibility issues may surface in the case of AMD processors.
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