Are you looking for Linux laptops? Do you want a Linux system without having to pay a Microsoft tax? The hardest part of using Linux is to find out the correct hardware. Hardware compatibility and drivers can be a big issue. But where one can find Linux desktops or Laptop for sale? Here are sixteen places to buy a preinstalled Linux Desktop and Laptop.
17 places where you can buy Linux computers and laptop
Here are 16 places to buy Linux Laptops in 2020 with Linux preloaded. No need to worry about drivers or anything else. Perfect for sysadmins, DevOps/IT work, developers and Linux enthusiast.
1. Dell
Dell sells a high-end Redhat Enterprise Linux and Ubuntu Linux-based laptop for business use, developers and sysadmins. If you are a developer and tend to travel a lot, give it a try to “XPS 13 Developer Edition” powered by Ubuntu Linux. Dell also offers precision workstations class laptop with RHEL or Ubuntu operating system. Precision workstations are designed for CG professionals, or as small-scale business servers.
 |
| Linux pre-loaded Laptop: Yes |
Sample config:
|
| Proprietary driver required: Yes and supported by Linux |
| Certified by the Free Software Foundation: No |
| Open source Libreboot BIOS: No |
| Shipping: Worldwide including USA and Europe |
| More info: XPS 13 Developer Edition Preloaded With Ubuntu |
See “Dell XPS 13 Developer Edition 2020 Ubuntu Laptop Announced” for more info. Please note that Dell also offers new 9th generation Intel Core and Intel Xeon processors and workstation GPUs its lineup of Precision workstations powered by RHEL or Ubuntu Linux. These are extremely high-end devices.
Related: The Novice Guide To Buying A Linux Laptop
2. EmperorLinux
This vendor sells Linux laptops with full hardware support under Linux. You choose the type of machine you want. You choose the distribution you want. You can choose to have a dual-boot machine too. You can specify your partitions and more. EmperorLinux sale Linux laptop from Panasonic, Dell, and Lenovo.
 |
| Linux pre-loaded Laptop: Yes |
| Config: Various |
| Proprietary driver required: Yes and supported by Linux |
| Certified by the Free Software Foundation: No |
| Open source Libreboot BIOS: No |
| Shipping: USA (international shipping available on request) |
| More info: http://www.emperorlinux.com/ |
3. System76
This vendor sells Ubuntu Linux based laptop, server, and desktop computer. It is one of the most recommended brand by Ubuntu forum members.
 |
| Linux pre-loaded Laptop: Yes |
| Config: Various |
| Proprietary driver required: Yes (for Nvidia based GPU) |
| Certified by the Free Software Foundation: No |
| Open source Libreboot BIOS/firmware: No (coreboot based devices now available) |
| Shipping: USA and 55 other countries. |
| More info: system76.com |
The coreboot project aimed at replacing the proprietary BIOS firmware and blobs. System76 recently announced two Intel laptops with Coreboot, which as an alternative to proprietary BIOS. These laptops are using Intel 10th Gen CPUs.
4. Linux Certified
This vendor sells Linux services including robust and cost-effective Linux laptops.
 |
| Linux pre-loaded Laptop: Yes |
| Config: Various |
| Proprietary driver required: Yes |
| Certified by the Free Software Foundation: No |
| Open source Libreboot BIOS/firmware: No |
| Shipping: USA |
| More info: linuxcertified.com |
5. LAC Portland (previously known as Los Alamos Computers)
This vendor sells Lenovo laptop preloaded with Linux operating system. You will find the laptop as per your needs such as performance, everyday computing, ultraportable and economy version.
 |
| Linux pre-loaded Laptop: Yes |
| Config: Various |
| Proprietary driver required: Yes |
| Certified by the Free Software Foundation: No |
| Open source Libreboot BIOS/firmware: No |
| Shipping: USA |
| More info: laclinux.com |
6. Purism
This vendor sells Linux preloaded on the Librem 13 and the Librem 15 laptops. Purism claims to follow a strict belief in users’ rights to privacy, security, and freedom.
 |
| Linux pre-loaded Laptop: Yes |
| Config: Various |
| Proprietary driver required: No |
| Certified by the Free Software Foundation: No |
| Open source Libreboot BIOS/firmware: No |
| Shipping: USA and worldwide |
| More info: puri.sm |
7. ThinkPenguin
This vendor sells a laptop with GNU/Linux. The vendor also does test laptop with OpenBSD but only ships with Linux distro.
 |
| Linux pre-loaded Laptop: Yes |
| Config: Various |
| Proprietary driver required: No |
| Certified by the Free Software Foundation: No |
| Open source Libreboot BIOS/firmware: No |
| Shipping: USA |
| More info: thinkpenguin.com |
8. ZaReason
This vendor sells Linux-based laptop based on rock solid R&D. You can get easy-to-use free and open source software for with each laptop or desktop or server.
 |
| Linux pre-loaded Laptop: Yes |
| Config: Various |
| Proprietary driver required: Yes (for Nvidia based GPU) |
| Certified by the Free Software Foundation: No |
| Open source Libreboot BIOS/firmware: No |
| Shipping: USA and Canada |
| More info: zareason.com |
9. Minifree
This vendor sells GNU/Linux laptops that are certified to Respect Your Freedom. It means your laptop is 100% free from binary blobs. It runs the FSF-endorsed Trisquel operating system and libreboot firmware on hardware. You can buy an ultracompact or workstation grade laptop from Minifree. Personally, I’m using Libreboot X200 model. Apart from laptops, they have desktop and server grade computers too
 |
| Linux pre-loaded Laptop: Yes |
Config: (a) Libreboot T400:
|
| Proprietary driver required: No |
| Certified by the Free Software Foundation: Yes |
| Open source Libreboot BIOS/firmware: Yes |
| Shipping: UK and worldwide |
| More info: minifree.org |
10. Libiquity
This laptop vendor certified to Respect Your Freedom. It means your laptop is 100% free from binary blobs. It runs the FSF-endorsed Trisquel operating system and libreboot firmware on hardware.
 |
| Linux pre-loaded Laptop: Yes |
Config:
|
| Proprietary driver required: No |
| Certified by the Free Software Foundation: Yes |
| Open source Libreboot BIOS/firmware: Yes |
| Shipping: USA (for international shipping try minifree) |
| More info: libiquity.com |
11. Entroware
This vendor provides Ubuntu Linux based laptop and desktop solutions including Skylake/Kaby Lake processors .
 |
| Linux pre-loaded Laptop: Yes |
| Config: Various |
| Proprietary driver required: Yes |
| Certified by the Free Software Foundation: No |
| Open source Libreboot BIOS/firmware: No |
| Shipping: UK and other European countries. |
| More info: entroware.com |
12. Vikings
Yet another vendor that sells FSF certificated laptop, servers and desktop products.
 |
| Linux pre-loaded Laptop: Yes |
| Config: Various |
| Proprietary driver required: No |
| Certified by the Free Software Foundation: Yes |
| Open source Libreboot BIOS/firmware: Yes |
| Shipping: Germany, other European countries and rest of the world. |
| More info: vikings.net |
13. Linux Now
It is an Australian e-commerce site that sells various Linux powered laptop and desktop systems. All the software you require, including your choice of Linux distribution, comes fully installed, so all you have to do when you receive the order is to switch it on.
 |
| Linux pre-loaded Laptop: Yes comes with various Linux disros |
| Config: Various |
| Proprietary driver required: Yes |
| Certified by the Free Software Foundation: No |
| Open source Libreboot BIOS/firmware: No |
| Shipping: Australia. |
| More info: linuxnow.com.au |
14. Tuxedo computers
TUXEDO Computers from Germany sells laptop and desktops preloaded with Ubuntu and OpenSUSE Linux. Open your laptop for cleaning and switching parts is covered by their warranty policy. Tuxedo also provide desktop computers with preloaded with Linux.
 |
| Linux pre-loaded Laptop: Yes comes with Ubuntu and OpenSUSE OS |
| Config: Various |
| Proprietary driver required: Yes |
| Certified by the Free Software Foundation: No |
| Open source Libreboot BIOS/firmware: No |
| Shipping: Germany and many other places. |
| More info: tuxedocomputers.com |
15. Technoethical
Tehnoetic from Bucharest, Romania (European Union) sells laptop, networking adapters, and mobile phone compatible with operating systems that fully respect users’ freedom as defined by the GNU Project.
 |
| Linux pre-loaded Laptop: Yes comes with Trisquel OS |
| Config: Various |
| Proprietary driver required: No |
| Certified by the Free Software Foundation: Yes |
| Open source Libreboot BIOS/firmware: Yes |
| Shipping: Worldwide |
| More info: tehnoetic.com |
16. Slimbook
Slimbook is located in Spain and has ten years of experience in the IT. They sell Linux based laptop and mini desktop system.
 |
| Linux pre-loaded Laptop: Yes comes with various Linux distro |
| Config: Various |
| Proprietary driver required: No |
| Certified by the Free Software Foundation: No |
| Open source Libreboot BIOS/firmware: No |
| Shipping: Worldwide |
| More info: slimbook.es |
17. Lenovo
Lenovo is a Chinese multinational company that sells Thinkpad and other Linux powered devices worldwide. Lenovo recently released its first Fedora Linux powered ThinkPad laptop. Lenovo currently offers ThinkPad P1 Gen2, ThinkPad P53, and ThinkPad X1 Gen8 laptops preloaded with Fedora Linux.
 |
| Linux pre-loaded Laptop: Yes (Fedora and Ubuntu) |
| Config: Various |
| Proprietary driver required: Yes and supported by Linux |
| Certified by the Free Software Foundation: No |
| Open source Libreboot BIOS: No |
| Shipping: Worldwide |
| More info: Linux for Personal Systems | Lenovo store (US) |
Lenovo ThinkPads, especially X and T series are popular choices for Linux users, sysadmins and developers. Most ThinkPads offers out of the box Linux compatibility. Here are some of the systems that I’ve used so far:
- ThinkPad X200 CentOS 6.x
- ThinkPad X220 CentOS 6.x
- ThinkPad X230 RHEL 6.x
- ThinkPad X240/X270/X280 RHEL 7.x
- ThinkPad X131e Fedora 20-23
- Thinkpad T400/T440p/T500/T520/T530/W5{10,20,30,4} CentOS and RHEL 6.x or 7.x
- Thinkpad X1E Gen 2 Ubuntu 20.04 LTS
Conclusion
These days it is not hard to find Linux laptops preloaded. Dell Precision, XPS, Latitude machines have worked for me over the years. Original IBM Thinkpads and Lenovo laptops too. Currently, I’m using the following systems:
- Lenovo x230 with Ubuntu
- Dell m6700 workstation with Debian (now I installed FreeNAS with 3 SSD)
- Thinkpad X1E Gen 2 (my work laptop issued by my employer)
- Minifree Libreboot X200 with Gnu Trisquel Linux (my travel laptop)
System76 looks better with excellent hardware, and high quality too. You can just buy it and start working on it. No need to worry about drivers or suspend issue. Same with other vendors mentioned in this post. The FSF only recommends the Minifree or Libiquity vendor. Both of them sell modified ThinkPads. So the hardware is pretty reasonable, and you get 100% binary blob free environments.
What laptop do you recommend for use with Linux? Please add your advice on what to avoid. Any horror stories about particular vendors?
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Another one on the list – https://www.starlabs.org.uk/star-labtop/
Lenovo – I can’t understand anyone buying a computer manufactured in China. Do you think that it will come spyware free?
Hi,
We are also selling laptops, desktops and tablets with Linux. You can find our store on: http://www.linuxcomputers.be -> dutch site.
And http://www.linuxlaptop.be -> directly to the webshop English or Dutch.
We sell from Belgium to whole Europe and for the most European countries we send without sending costs.
What you failed to mention is that out of all of these, System76 is the only one that offers financing off the top. Which makes them pretty freaking awesome. Looking into it . . .
You can get financing option with Dell too.
Like someone mentioned, there are another option, the slimbook.
A beauty and powerfull ultrabook. They offer a special version of ultrabook the “KDE Slimbook”
I had the opportunity to see it in the last Akademy and it is not so common to find a high class computer with Linux preinstall. A very good option that should be on your list.
http://Www.slimbook.es
What list it is without LInuCity.com ?
You will find there more products more options and better prices..
minifree.org gave me this message:
Minifree will return! It is temporarily shut down due to coronavirus. I wish to refund my remaining customers; see below for info
I had to refund most of my old customers from prior to the covid19 outbreak. Due to financial difficulties I couldn’t get stock and couldn’t make shipments. That, and many people all over the world either lost their jobs at the start of the covid19 pandemic, or otherwise had financial difficulties, so people stopped buying from Minifree anyway. Therefore, I shut the company down. I will soon be re-launching it.
My problems were resolved months ago. I still have like 8 people that I need to refund, as of today (3 August 2020). I will soon be re-launching Minifree. I have plenty of laptops in stock now, aswell as retro consoles. Minifree will be redirected to retrofreedom.com and the webshop will be reimplemented there. I will focus on my new company that sells modified retrogames consoles (I do a lot of soldering in my lab).
STAY TUNED!
I don’t trust pre loaded Linux. I will format and install the linux distro of my choice.
There is a typo, number 15 repeated twice.
Fixed. Thanks!