The best Linux laptops are user-friendly with high-end components and great battery life. We tested models from Lenovo, Dell, and more to find top options starting at $799.
Years ago, we were lucky to have one or two Linux laptop options. Now, you’d be surprised at how many laptops are sold with Linux installed, making it an excellent time for programmers to use the open-source alternative to Windows and MacOS. Linux-based laptops are also great for high school and college students looking to expand their knowledge and skillsets. Linux can also run on many Windows laptops, which is great for beginners who may not be ready to invest in a dedicated machine.
With so many options, we can now be selective with how we spend our money. On top of that, we no longer have to do extensive research on other laptops to ensure every component will work with Linux. For those of us who’d been working with Linux for some time, that was more a bother than a problem, but for others, it was a significant effort to track down chipset manufacturers and models that went into a particular laptop. Those days are long past, and consumers can now purchase a computer that ships with Linux installed, knowing it will « just work. »
We went hands-on with some of the best laptops on the market that can run Linux, testing their performance, battery, and features. Our pick for the best Linux laptop overall is the Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 2 is our top pick due to its more affordable price and customization options. Check out the rest of the list to learn about our other top picks.
What is the best Linux laptop?
Best Linux laptop
Price
Processor/graphics
Battery life
Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 2
$799
Up to AMD Ryzen 7 PRO/AMD Radeon 740M
14 hours
Dell XPS 15 9530
$1,299
Up to Intel Core i9-13900H/Up to Nvidia RTX 4070 or Intel Arc A370M
7 hours
Acer Swift Edge 16
$879
AMD Ryzen 7 7840U/AMD Radeon integrated graphics
7 hours
MSI Stealth Studio AI
$1,850
Up to Intel Core i9-13900H/Up to Nvidia RTX 4090
4 hours
Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2
$2,500
Up to Intel Core i7-13800H/Up to Nvidia RTX 4060
19 hours
*MSRP at time of writing. Please note that actual retail pricing may vary depending on the seller as well as available deals and promotions.
Which Linux laptop is right for you?
It depends on how much experience you have using the Linux operating system. If you’re just starting out, you’ll want to opt for a laptop with lower-end components and configurations as well as a lower price.
