Linux will work on just about any PC. I mean that literally. Remember the Intel Pentium 4 processor? It came out in 2000, and it's still supported by Debian Linux. That said, Linux runs better on some laptops than others. It didn't used to be the case, but these days quite a few big-name PC makers offer official support for Linux, meaning you have somewhere to turn if things go awry.
To help you figure out the best Linux laptop for your perfect rig, I've installed (or tried to install) Linux on every laptop I've tested since 2020. Almost all of them worked great, but some were easier to get running than others. More than a few of my favorites come with Linux right out of the box. My picks are below.
If you're in the market for a laptop, be sure to check out our other buying guides, like the Best Laptops, Best Cheap Laptops, Best MacBooks, and How to Choose the Right Laptop.
Updated February 2024: We've added Tuxedo's InfinityBook Pro, some notes on the new Dell XPS laptops, and updated prices and links throughout.
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Best for Most People
Courtesy of System76 Save to wishlist Save to wishlist System76 Lemur Pro Laptop $1,599 System76
System76's Lemur Pro (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is my favorite Linux laptop. It strikes the best balance between size, weight, power, and price. At 12 inches wide and 2.5 pounds (1.2 kilograms), it's plenty portable, and the base model packs an Intel i5 1335U processor with 8 GB of RAM, plus a 250-GB SSD. You can configure the Lemur Pro with an i7 chip if you want more power, as well as up to 8 TB of storage and 40 GB of RAM. The port selection is good, with two USB 3.2 Type-C ports, 1 Thunderbolt 4 port, a 3.5-mm headphone/microphone combo jack, a MicroSD card reader, and HDMI 2.0. Battery life is also fantastic, lasting all day in most use cases, and the keyboard, while not my favorite, is pleasant enough to type on.