! Copyright © 2017 MakeUseOf. All Rights Reserved ®. ! What Type of Linux Desktop or Laptop Should You Buy? Written by Moe Long Published April 2017. Read the original article here: http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/linux-desktop-laptop-buy/ This ebook is the intellectual property of MakeUseOf. It must only be published in its original form. Using parts or republishing altered parts of this ebook is prohibited without permission from MakeUseOf.com. Copyright © 2017 MakeUseOf. All Rights Reserved ®. ! Table of contents Why Buy a Linux Desktop or Laptop? 4 Best Budget Linux Laptops 5 System76 Lemur ($699) 5 Dell XPS 13 Developer Edition ($949) 7 Best Mid-Range Linux Laptops 9 ZaReason Verix 6440 ($1,500) 9 Purism Librem 15 ($1,700) 11 Best High-End Linux Laptops 13 ZaReason Chimera 3 ($2,048) 13 System76 Bonobo WS ($2,799) 14 Best Budget Linux Desktops 17 ZaReason Limbo 560 ($650) 17 System76 Meerkat ($499) 18 Best Mid-Range Linux Desktops 19 LAC Portland Lenovo ThinkStation P310 19 Maingear Drift ($1,099) 21 Best High-End Linux Desktops 23 System76 Silverback WS ($2,199) 23 Puget Obsidian ($1,959) 25 Final Thoughts and Alternatives 27 Eight Virtues 27 Emperor Linux 28 ThinkPenguin 29 Do It Yourself Linux PC 29 Copyright © 2017 MakeUseOf. All Rights Reserved ®. ! Unlike Windows and macOS users, most Linux users build their own computers and throw Linux on them. Despite its growing popularity, especially among system administrators and server buffs, Linux hasn’t entered mainstream computers. But you can buy computers with Linux pre-installed! While pre-built Linux machines are a rarity, they’re not completely non-existent. While installing a Linux operating system is easy, buying a purpose-built Linux PC provides perks such as guaranteed support, reliability, and an excellent out-of-the-box experience. This article covers some of the best Linux PCs available — and why you need one. Why Buy a Linux Desktop or Laptop? If you’re familiar with Linux you might be wondering why anyone would buy a Linux PC. After all, building a PC and installing Linux is fairly easy. And you can always dual boot, although dual- booting isn’t problem-free. The reason is pretty simple: Linux isn’t beginner friendly. Sure, there are several distributions perfect for anyone switching from Windows or macOS. However, using Linux on Apple hardware is a bit different than traditional PC hardware. And installs sometimes require a good deal of tweaks. Buying a pre-built Linux PC comes with support. A pre-built machine isn’t just useful for individuals — it’s essential for an enterprise environment. On top of that, buying a Linux computer saves time. You forgo the installation process and get a machine that just works. If you’re wondering why to even use Linux, here are five great uses even if you’re a Windows user. Reasons to buy a Linux PC: • Support options • Excellent out-of-the-box experience • Good for beginners to Linux and PC hardware • Malware immunity Copyright © 2017 MakeUseOf. All Rights Reserved ®. ! Best Budget Linux Laptops System76 Lemur ($699) Watch the YouTube video here: System76 Lemur | Review System76 is arguably the most well-known Linux PC manufacturer. Their hardware and software excel. Its entry-level Lemur might have a modest price point but it doesn’t skimp on features. The System76 Lemur boasts a 14.1-inch 1080p IPS display and a 7th generation Intel Kaby Lake processor; you can snag a Lemur with an i3 or i7. A thin and light laptop, the Lemur comes with either Ubuntu 16.04 LTS or Ubuntu 16.10. It’s available with Intel HD 620 graphics, up to 32 GB of RAM, and as high at 5 TB of storage. Wired allows that while the Lemur comes preloaded with Ubuntu, the hardware is compatible with a bevy of Linux operating systems including Fedora, Mint, and Debian. Furthermore, Wired praises System76 support. Jack Wallen over at TechRepublic commented on the small size and solid keyboard, as well as superb out of the box experience. The Linux Gamer, helping to correct the false notion that Linux gaming is an oxymoron, adds that leaving the F-row as F keys is great particularly for working in terminal apps. However, there’s no LED caps lock indicator. Moreover, the power adapter is a 90-degree angle. This tends to catch objects or occasionally obscure the HDMI port. Additionally, The Linux Gamer found that certain components like the trackpad have difficulty after putting the computer to sleep. But this is likely an Ubuntu issue, and not unique to the Lemur. You may also consider the thin and light ZaReason UltraLap 5330. Similarly specced and priced, the UltraLap 5330 offers more operating system choices including OpenSUSE and Cinnamon. Copyright © 2017 MakeUseOf. All Rights Reserved ®. ! With its superb battery life, light weight, and slim form factor, budget price, and premium specs, the System76 Lemur delivers the best price-to-performance ratio among Linux laptops. Pros • 7th gen Intel i3-7100U or i7-7500U • 14-inch 1080p IPS matte display • Up to 32 GB RAM • As high as 5 TB storage • Excellent keyboard • Great battery life • Ubuntu 16.04 LTS or Ubuntu 16.10 • Runs other distros well Cons • Awkward charging cable • No LED caps lock indicator Copyright © 2017 MakeUseOf. All Rights Reserved ®. ! Dell XPS 13 Developer Edition ($949) Image Credit: Dell Dude, you’re getting a Dell Linux laptop. Yes, Dell, the mainstream PC manufacturer makes a Linux version of its XPS 13. We reviewed the XPS 13. Not surprisingly, the Developer Edition addendum to its name indicates the target audience. The XPS 13 sports Ubuntu 16.04 LTS and a 7th generation Intel processor. Depending on the model, Dell’s XPS 13 comes outfitted with an i5-7200U or i7-7500U. It comes in a small form factor with up to a 13-inch 3200 x 1800 “borderless” InfinityEdge touch display. Onboard you’ll find either an 8 GB RAM and 128 GB SSD combo on the i5 or 16 GB of RAM and a 512 GB SSD with the i7. Copyright © 2017 MakeUseOf. All Rights Reserved ®. ! Network World praised the i7 Dell XPS 13 Developer Edition. Notably, Network World found that while the XPS 13 ships with Ubuntu 16.04, most other distros run incredibly well. Reviewer Bryan Lunduke noted its ability to run openSUSE, Fedora, Elementary, and Debian. Stellar battery life, lots of ports, and an impressive screen resolution make the XPS 13 Developer Edition an excellent Linux laptop. Lunduke’s only minor quibble: the XPS 13 Developer Edition only comes preloaded with Ubuntu. However as Linux laptops are a rarity, it’s to be expected that distro choices remain limited. Pros • Up to 3200 x 1800 resolution • 13-inch screen • Up to 16 GB RAM (i7) • Up to 512 GB SSD (i7) • Intel i5-7200U or i7-7500U • Runs lots of Linux operating systems Cons • Ships only with Ubuntu Copyright © 2017 MakeUseOf. All Rights Reserved ®. ! Best Mid-Range Linux Laptops ZaReason Verix 6440 ($1,500) Image Credit: ZaReason ZaReason’s Verix 6440 strikes a solid balance of performance and price. An i7-6700HQ comes standard as does an Nvidia 1060. What sets ZaReason apart is the customization of distros. You can select from Ubuntu 16.04 LTS, Kubuntu 16.04 LTS, Mint, Fedora, Debian, and in some cases a custom Linux operating system. The Verix 6440 sports stellar specs positioning it as a desktop replacement laptop. However, while Linux operating system options vary, hardware specs are limited. Storage and RAM may be upgraded though. Compare that to the similarly priced System76 Oryx Pro. Copyright © 2017 MakeUseOf. All Rights Reserved ®. ! While the Oryx Pro is limited to Ubuntu only, you’ve got two CPU choices in the i7-7700HQ and 7820HK. Plus, it’s available with a 1060 or 1070 and starts slightly below the Verix 6440. Still, the ZaReason Verix 6440 is a great choice especially for those seeking more distro choices out-of- the-box. Pros • Lots of Linux operating system options • NVIDIA 10-series 1060 GPU • Intel i7-6700HQ • Desktop replacement laptop Cons • Limited hardware options Copyright © 2017 MakeUseOf. All Rights Reserved ®. ! Purism Librem 15 ($1,700) As a Linux PC manufacturer, Purism is unique for that reason alone. But it’s the software that’s truly revolutionary, although controversial. The Purism Librem 15 is mid-sized and mid-range priced powerful laptop. Purism values security, freedom, and privacy. Hence the root word of “pure” in the company name. The Librem 15 arrives with a fifth gen Intel i7-5557U, up to 32 GB of DDR3 RAM, and Intel Iris graphics 6100. Image Credit: Purism Endgadget appreciated the open-source software and freedom. The operating system is a Trisquel variation. However, there’s definitely a premium. The base model includes a paltry 4 GB of RAM and a 500 GB hard drive. Graphics are integrated, not discrete, and the i7 is a dual core processor. Moreover, Purism caused controversy with its laptops. Copyright © 2017 MakeUseOf. All Rights Reserved ®. ! Image Credit: Purism According to a PC World article, the Librem 15 contradicts its open-source promises with proprietary BIOS. Ultimately if your priorities are free and open software, Purism is your best bet. But for the price, you can snag the XPS 13, a Verix 6440, or System76 Serval WS. Check out Jacob Kauffmann’s, AKA Nerd on the Street, detailed Serval WS review. Each boasts drastically better performance than the Librem. Pros • Extremely free and open • Security-oriented • Intel Iris graphics • i7-5557U Cons • Dual core i7 • High price for low specs • Proprietary BIOS • Poor price-to-performance ratio Copyright © 2017 MakeUseOf.