Best Linux Laptop in 2023
Our experts bring you the best Linux laptops on the market right now!
These laptops are either certified or preloaded with Linux distributions that are worth having. We have covered a range of specifications, designs and prices to suit all your needs.
Whether you are looking for a laptop for work, gaming, or education, you will find a Linux laptop that meets your expectations. So, here are our top picks for the best Linux laptops of 2023.
Products at a Glance
How we picked the best Linux laptop in 2023
Choosing the best Linux laptop is not the easiest task. With only a few options to choose from you are extremely limited to what you can actually buy. Our experts have taken the time to meticulously shortlist various laptops that have the ideal specifications for any developer.
We have specifically looked at availability, performance, battery life and affordability. But that’s not all, we’ve also made sure to double-check user reviews to bring you the best laptops money can buy.
Best Linux Laptop in 2023
- Stunning design
- Great performance for price
- Could have a better battery life
- Limited ports
The Dell XPS 13 Developer Edition is the number-one choice for many Linux users. It stands out from the crowd for its sleek and lightweight design making it one of the smallest laptops to have Linux installed.
With this option, you’ll get Intel’s 12th-gen i7 processor, 32GB of RAM and 1 TB of storage. It runs Ubuntu Linux 20.04 but according to users, you can also run any distro tool too.
Somewhere that the XPS 13 Developer Edition falls short on is the number of ports it has. Unfortunately, you will only get two USB-C ports and no headphone jack!
- Packed with power
- Expensive
- Low resolution screen
- Average speakers
The Lenovo X1 Carbon is another great option – it is the best Linux laptop for developers. This is due to its frankly best-in-class keyboard. If you do a lot of typing you’re going to love the Lenovo X1 Carbon.
You’ll also get Lenovo’s classic slick design and a pretty good 2K, OLED anti-glare screen. This device is very pricey though and is almost double the cost of other Linux laptops out there. When it comes to specs, you’ll get Intel’s 13th-gen Core i7 processor, 16 GB of RAM and 256GB of SSD. You can also customise and tailor these specs to suit your needs, so major upgrades can be made here too.
- Value for money
- 16 different Linux distros
- Good battery life
- Small design
The Star Labs StarLite 11 is the perfect compact option on our list. This laptop comes with all the required specs for daily use, even for those who want to use their laptop for machine learning.
The specs are modest consisting of 8GB of RAM, 240GB of SSD (but it can be upgraded) and a N5030 Pentium Silver. What’s pretty great about this machine is that you can have it preloaded with most Linux distributions, so you are not just locked to Ubuntu.
Star Labs also offers a fun open warranty option. This means you can completely configure, replace and upgrade parts of your laptop without voiding the warranty. If you are looking for a budget option that can handle most tasks like a boss, then the StarLite 11 is definitely a strong contender.
- Fast AMD processor
- Long battery life
- Variety of ports
- Trackpad placing
If you are looking for a complete laptop the System 76 Pangolin is for you. This laptop has every port you will ever hope for including HDMI 2.0, USB Type-C and DisplayPort 1.4.
It is powered by an AMD Ryzen 7 6800U processor and comes with 32GB of RAM and up to 8TB of storage. But that’s not all, this laptop also has a 10-hour battery life which is pretty decent for its size. According to users, in most cases, this laptop will last all day.
The System 76 Pangolin’s strengths lie in its design. The keyboard is clean and comfortable to type on. Although the trackpad may feel off-centre due to the number pad on the right-hand side.
Features and Considerations
Performance and battery life
A solid and powerful CPU is crucial for any sort of demanding task. Ideally, you will want a laptop that uses either Intel’s Core i7 or i9 processor. Alternatively, if you prefer AMD look for laptops that use Ryzen 7 or above processors.
The graphics processing unit is also important. A laptop with a dedicated GPU will ensure it can handle processing tasks faster. You should also consider the laptop’s battery capacity and power consumption. Depending on your needs and preferences, you may want a laptop that is fast, powerful, energy-efficient, or a balance of all three.
Open source and privacy features
It may also be worth looking into open-source software and privacy protection. Some Linux laptops offer open-source BIOS options or other features that can enhance your control and security over your system.
If you’re looking for something slightly different, why not check out our other buying guides below:
- Best 17-inch laptop in 2023
- Best laptop for writers in 2023
- Best laptop under $1000 in 2023
- Best laptop cooling pad in 2023
- Best laptop for programming in 2023
- Best laptop stand in 2023
- Best business laptop in 2023
Is Linux good on laptops?
Linux is a great operating system for your laptop if you’re a developer. It offers a wide range of software options, including many free and open-source programs. This can be particularly useful for those who use their laptops for work or other specialized tasks such as machine learning.
Our Verdict
Our top pick is the Dell XPS 13 Developer Edition! This machine comes with a frankly stunning design, a lightweight and durable body and powerful performance.
With this option, you’ll get Intel’s top-notch i7 processor, 32 GB of RAM and up to 2TB of storage. It also comes with Ubuntu 22.04 LTS pre-installed, which is one of the most popular and user-friendly Linux distros, with a wide range of software and support available. If you’re looking for a reliable, high-quality Linux laptop, this option is for you.