If you want to use a Linux computer, you may assume you need to buy a Windows PC and install Linux on it. That’s not the case if you look into these PC makers that sell Linux-native computers.
This list certainly isn’t complete, but it includes some manufacturers, ordered alphabetically, that are well-established in the Linux niche. Also, I’m only including Linux-exclusive sellers. Some other brands, like Framework, are well-regarded in the Linux community, but sell Windows licenses with their devices on request.
The following frame themselves as promoters of Linux specifically and open source values in general, making Linux accessible by letting you skip manual Linux installations. They also offer dedicated customer support, meaning you don’t have to rely on discussion forums and old Stack Exchange posts to solve your technical issues.
Kubuntu Focus
You might already know Kubuntu, the Ubuntu spinoff distro that uses the KDE Plasma desktop environment instead of GNOME. But did you know that a Kubuntu-first computer developer exists?
They’re calledKubuntu Focus, and I’ve reviewed some of their laptops before, like theIr16 Gen 2. I even ended up buying one myself. The group is based in Michigan, which means unlike many other Linux manufacturers, you don’t have to get your Linux PC shipped overseas if you live in the US.
All Kubuntu Focus laptops and PCs come with the same Linux distro installed, an edition of Kubuntu the company itself maintains called the Kubuntu Focus Suite. It comes with several preinstalled tools, including a lot of dev ops and machine learning software, plus some custom system management tools. You can actually download and try the distro yourself if you’re so inclined by going tothe Kubuntu Focus Suite download page.
Kubuntu Focus Ir16 (Gen2)
The Ir16 GEN 2 marries the enterprise-class hardware from Carbon Systems with the meticulous OS integration and Linux-first support from Kubuntu Focus.
Laptop With Linux
The aptly namedLaptop With Linuxbrand is owned by the company Comexr B.V., which is based in the Netherlands. They sell, unsurprisingly, laptops with Linux. Shaking things up though is the fact they also sell one mini PC, an Intel NUC13. They have a ton of accessories too, including odds and ends like HDMI/VGA adapters and abootable USB drivewithTails, so you can get a complete and versatile setup in one order.
Unlike Kubuntu Focus, Laptops With Linux gives you have a lot of choices in terms of pre-installed Linux distros. you may choose from any of the following:
If you’re experienced and know what you want, you can also ask that your PC have no operating preinstalled. You’ll need to be prepared tomanually install Linuxor something else yourself in that case.
Star Labs
Star Labsis a manufacturer based in the UK that sells mini PCs and laptops with Linux preinstalled. What makes them stand out from the rest might be their inclusion of a 2-in-1 laptop in their lineup, called the Starlite. Touch-based Linux experiences are a rare find.
The Linux distros Star Labs will preinstall for you isn’t quite as expansive as Laptop With Linux, but it does have the noteable addition of Qubes OS, a distro famouslyendorsed in 2016 by Edward Snowden. The full list of Linux distros Star Labs will install for you is:
Star Labs also stands out in this list for its support, on most models, forcoreboot. It’s an open source UEFI firmware that replacesthe BIOS experiencethat typically is proprietary. If that doesn’t sound like something you care about, then don’t worry about it. But if you do get a computer with coreboot, it’s definitely something you may brag about to your geek friends.
System76
System76 is a Linux-first company with a wide selection of form factors, including laptops, desktops, workstations, mini PCs, and even servers if you’re an enterprise customer. They’ve recently added coreboot support to many of their computers, just like Star Labs. They also have their own line of mechanical keyboards, including DIY kits and parts for your own projects.
What System76 might be best known for in the Linux world though is its custom Linux distro,Pop!_OS. It’s been a favorite, especially among Linux gamers, for a while now.
More recently, System76 made headlines by its development of its own desktop environment. Pop_OS! has traditionally come with a customized version of GNOME, but they’ve been building a replacement for GNOME from the ground-up, calledCOSMIC. They’re keeping it open source, so competing distros can still adopt COSMIC for their own purposes. Garuda Linux, for example recently announcedthe release of Garuda COSMIC.
Tuxedo Computers
Tuxedo Computers, taking its name from the Linux mascot Tux, might have the widest selection of Linux-first hardware on this list. Having been in the business since 2004, the Germany-based operation sells multiple models in almost all categories of computer, and they’re evendeveloping their own Linux ARM notebook. They also have some interesting peripherals, like an external laptop water cooler called Tuxedo Aquarius available with certain laptop models.
Your preinstalled distro options are far fewer than the hardware options. You have a choice between vanilla Ubuntu and the company’s own Ubuntu spin,Tuxedo OS. It has a version of the KDE Plasma desktop environment that the brand describes as, “… suitable for beginners with a large and flexible feature set for Linux professionals.” Just like with Kubuntu Focus, you can download and test the distro yourself if you’re so inclined.
Again, I didn’t make a complete list here. There are brands you know like Lenovo that sell PCs with alternatives to Windows, as you’ll see in our list ofthe best Linux laptops. There are also a ton ofLinux mini PCs you’re able to buyout there if you know where to look.
