Best Computer Hardware Companies Selling Systems with Linux Support

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1. System76

  • Overview: System76 is one of the most prominent Linux-focused computer manufacturers. They design and sell laptops, desktops, and servers specifically optimized for Linux.
  • Quality: Known for premium build quality and sleek designs.
  • Price Range: Mid to high-end. Laptops start around $1,000, while desktops and servers can go much higher depending on configurations.
  • Customer Feedback: System76 receives high praise for customer support, pre-installed Linux distributions, and community engagement.
  • Supported Distributions: Ships with their custom Pop!_OS (based on Ubuntu) or Ubuntu itself.
  • Highlights and Caveats: System76's unique contribution to open-source hardware design stands out, particularly with their Thelio desktops. These systems feature innovative airflow management and the Thelio Io open hardware SATA controller, emphasizing their commitment to hardware transparency. However, their custom drivers and firmware updates are tailored specifically for Pop!_OS, which can make using alternative distributions more challenging.

2. Dell (XPS, Latitude, and Precision Lines)

  • Overview: Dell offers a range of systems with official Linux support through its Developer Edition laptops and desktops.
  • Quality: High-quality builds, particularly in the XPS and Precision lines, with a focus on productivity and portability.
  • Price Range: Mid-range to high-end. XPS laptops with Linux start around $1,300.
  • Customer Feedback: Positive feedback for the build quality and performance, although some users mention limited Linux customization options from Dell.
  • Supported Distributions: Ships with Ubuntu.
  • Highlights: Dell's "Project Sputnik" initiative, which led to the creation of the XPS 13 Developer Edition, provides a seamless Ubuntu experience. Dell-specific hardware and firmware patches integrated into system updates ensure a "just works" experience for Linux users.

3. Lenovo (ThinkPad and ThinkStation Lines)

  • Overview: Lenovo has embraced Linux in recent years, offering ThinkPads and ThinkStations with Linux pre-installed.
  • Quality: Renowned for durability and performance, especially for business use.
  • Price Range: Competitive pricing, starting at around $1,200 for Linux-ready ThinkPads.
  • Customer Feedback: Users appreciate the compatibility and the availability of ThinkPad’s hardware diagnostics tools for Linux.
  • Supported Distributions: Ubuntu and Fedora.
  • Highlights: Lenovo's ThinkPad series is often praised for its exceptional keyboard quality, which is considered one of the best in the industry and highly valued by professionals.

4. Purism

  • Overview: Purism is a privacy-focused company that sells Linux laptops and mini PCs.
  • Quality: Good build quality with a focus on open-source firmware and security.
  • Price Range: Mid-range to high-end, with laptops starting around $1,400.
  • Customer Feedback: Mixed reviews; praised for privacy features but criticized for performance-price trade-offs.
  • Supported Distributions: Ships with PureOS, their custom Linux distribution based on Debian.
  • Highlights: Purism stands out for its commitment to privacy, offering hardware kill switches for the microphone and camera, allowing users to physically disconnect these components for added security.

5. TUXEDO Computers

  • Overview: A European company specializing in Linux systems, offering laptops, desktops, and mini PCs.
  • Quality: High-quality builds tailored for Linux enthusiasts.
  • Price Range: Affordable to high-end. Laptops start around $900.
  • Customer Feedback: Positive reviews for customization options and excellent Linux support.
  • Supported Distributions: Ships with TUXEDO OS (based on Ubuntu) or other distributions like Ubuntu and openSUSE.
  • Highlights: TUXEDO Computers offers extensive customization options, allowing users to tailor hardware specifications and aesthetics, a significant draw for Linux enthusiasts.

6. Slimbook

  • Overview: A Spanish company offering laptops and desktops optimized for Linux. Slimbook has also partnered with Manjaro Linux to provide systems with Manjaro pre-installed, expanding their Linux offerings.
  • Quality: Solid designs with an emphasis on lightweight and portable systems.
  • Price Range: Affordable to mid-range. Laptops start at $750.
  • Customer Feedback: Praised for affordability and good Linux compatibility.
  • Supported Distributions: Ships with a choice of Manjaro, Ubuntu, KDE Neon, Linux Mint, and others.
  • Highlights: Slimbook's collaboration with the KDE community to develop the KDE Slimbook showcases their dedication to integrating hardware with specific Linux desktop environments.

7. Star Labs

  • Overview: A UK-based company focused entirely on Linux laptops.
  • Quality: Compact, well-built systems with Linux in mind.
  • Price Range: Mid-range. Laptops start around $700.
  • Customer Feedback: High marks for customer support and ease of use.
  • Supported Distributions: Offers a wide choice, including Ubuntu, elementary OS, and Linux Mint.
  • Highlights: Star Labs stands out with its Coreboot open-source firmware option, offering users greater transparency and control over their system’s boot process compared to traditional proprietary BIOS/UEFI firmware.

8. MINISFORUM (Linux-Compatible Mini PCs)

  • Overview: While not exclusively Linux-focused, MINISFORUM offers mini PCs with excellent Linux compatibility.
  • Quality: Compact, well-engineered systems for lightweight workloads.
  • Price Range: Affordable to mid-range, starting around $300.
  • Customer Feedback: Users appreciate the performance and affordability, but support for Linux-specific issues can be limited.
  • Supported Distributions: Works with most major distributions like Ubuntu and Fedora (manual installation required).
  • Highlights: MINISFORUM's compact form factors, coupled with sufficient performance for lightweight tasks, make them ideal for space-saving setups like home labs or lightweight servers.

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