The 6 Best Linux Laptops of 2021

Best Overall: Dell XPS 13 Developer Edition

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The Dell XPS 13 is already considered one of the best laptops out there, period, and the fact that it’s available with Linux too makes it the clear top choice for those who want a stylish, powerful, and lightweight laptop with Linux.

Under the hood, the Dell XPS 13 Developer Edition has a lot to offer. The base model comes with an 8th-generation Intel Core i5 processor, coupled with 4GB of RAM and a 128GB SSD. That's more than powerful enough for the Ubuntu 18.04 build that it comes with. The computer can, however, be customized to include an Intel Core i7 with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. The base model’s 13.3-inch display has a resolution of 1920 x 1080, though you can upgrade it to a 4K display. Weight-wise, the computer is only 2.67lbs.

Runner-Up, Best Overall: Lenovo T490

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The affordable and versatile laptop from Lenovo provides all the trappings you'd want from a solid mid-range laptop, no matter which OS you fancy. This slim, matte black 14-inch laptop weighs in at just 3.4 Lbs and is just .7 inches thick. While the T490 is somewhat diminutive in stature, it remains a remarkably powerful and robust laptop, tested against a dozen military-grade service checks to ensure that it can withstand even the most extreme conditions.

In terms of specs, the T490 features the latest 10th gen Intel CPU can provide speeds up to 3.9 GHz and is backed up by 8GB of DDR4 RAM and a 256 GB SSD for excellent multi-tasking performance. the T490 also has some of the most impressive battery life on our list, capable of operating for over 16 hours without needing to be topped off. The laptop includes a variety of standard port options, such as USB-A, USB-C, and HDMI, but also features a MicroSD card slot for quick storage expansion.

While Lenovo does offer a variety of configurations based on your specific needs, whether you need a better processor, more RAM, or more spacious storage, our preferred configuration makes the T490 one of the more affordable options on this list, regardless of your OS of choice.

Best Splurge: Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Carbon

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You don’t necessarily have to buy a laptop that has Linux pre-installed. Alternatively, you could buy a Windows laptop and install Linux on it, though we recommend that only to those who know what they’re doing. If you want to simply buy a Windows laptop and then install Linux on it after the fact, then we recommend the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon. Why? Lenovo’s ThinkPad line of laptops are known to work pretty well with Linux, plus they’re built like a tank.

Under the hood, this mightyThinkPad features a 10th Gen Intel processor, 16GB of RAM and 1TB of solid-state storage, which is more than enough power for running Linux or practically anything else your heart desires. The display on the device should be big enough, too, at 14 inches, and it's a beautiful IPS touchscreen as well.

Best Apple: Apple MacBook Air 13

4.5

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Just because a laptop doesn’t come with Linux pre-installed, that doesn’t mean that you can’t install Linux on it yourself. MacBooks are loved for their great design and powerful hardware, and there are plenty of guides out there on how to install Linux on your MacBook, though it’s something we only recommend to those who know what they’re doing. If you’re interested in this, we recommend the new MacBook Air, which is beautifully designed and features relatively powerful hardware.

Spec-wise, the base model of the new MacBook Air comes with an Intel Core i3 processor, coupled with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of SSD storage. Apple has adopted modern ports for the laptop too — you'll get two USB-C ports and a headphone jack. As you would expect from a MacBook Air, the 2018 version is nice and light, with a thickness of 0.61-inches and a weight of 2.75lbs.

Best Design: Acer Swift 3

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This compact and versatile 14-inch Laptop from Acer provides a solid Linux platform and workstation. The Acer Swift 3 boasts a slick, all-metal construction while weighing in at just over 3 Lbs. and under an inch thick.

This notebook has all the features and conveniences you would expect from a top of the line notebook, including 10-hour battery life, a variety of port and connectivity options including USB-C and HDMI. The Swift 3 also sports an integrated camera and fingerprint reader for added security.

Under the hood, our recommended model of the Swift 3 comes equipped with a 10th gen Intel CPU, capable of up to 3.7Ghz, as well as an ample 8GB of DDR4 RAM and a 512 GB SSD for plenty of storage space and snappy responsiveness.