Top Ubuntu-Friendly Laptop Brands for Seamless Performance

Ubuntu, a popular open-source operating system, offers a sleek and efficient platform for users seeking an alternative to Windows or macOS. When it comes to hardware compatibility, certain laptop brands have established themselves as reliable choices for running Ubuntu seamlessly. Brands like Dell, Lenovo, and System76 have consistently provided laptops that integrate well with Ubuntu, ensuring both performance and user satisfaction. If you're considering a new laptop purchase and want the best experience with Ubuntu, explore the curated list of top brands below.

Illustration of laptop for ubuntu

Best brands of laptop for ubuntu in 2025

Dell

Dell is a leading producer of laptops that come with Ubuntu pre-installed, offering a range of models certified by Canonical to ensure compatibility and optimal performance. For instance, the Dell XPS 13 Plus is certified to run Ubuntu Linux 22.04 LTS, and Dell provides support warranties for these Linux installations. In some regions, such as Brazil, Dell offers up to 13 models with Ubuntu pre-installed, while in the US, there are also specific models available. Dell's support for Linux extends to its workstations, desktops, and laptops, with options like Red Hat Enterprise Workstation and Ubuntu 22.04 as alternatives to Windows. This comprehensive support makes Dell a preferred choice for users looking to run Ubuntu on their laptops.

System76

System76 is a leading producer of laptops optimized for Ubuntu, having seen a significant 61% revenue growth in the first quarter of 2009, indicating strong demand for Ubuntu-oriented computers. The company offers high-performance laptops with features like open firmware, easy updates, and repair-friendly designs, making them ideal for developers, engineers, and creators. System76 laptops come with Pop_OS, which collects no user data and provides full-disk encryption out of the box. The company also integrates its hardware with the operating system, providing a seamless user experience similar to what Windows and macOS users enjoy. With continuous innovation, such as the development of their own in-house laptops and the COSMIC DE desktop environment, System76 remains a top choice for Linux users. For more information, visit their official website.

Lenovo

Lenovo is highly regarded as one of the best producers of laptops for Ubuntu, given its long history of compatibility and support. Since Lenovo acquired IBM's PC business in 2005, it has continued to enhance the ThinkPad brand, which has been a staple in the business laptop market since 1992. Lenovo ThinkPads are often certified for Ubuntu, with models like the ThinkPad L14 Gen3 and others receiving partial or full support for various Ubuntu versions, including Ubuntu 22.04 and 24.04. This compatibility, along with the robust hardware and user-friendly BIOS settings, makes Lenovo ThinkPads a popular choice among Linux users. Additionally, Lenovo's commitment to Linux support has been evident since 2020, when they announced heavier support for Linux on their ThinkPad models. For more detailed information, visit their official operating system compatibility guide.

ASUS

ASUS is a prominent brand known for producing laptops that are highly compatible with Ubuntu, making it a favorite among Linux users. With a history of collaborating with Canonical, ASUS has brought to market several Ubuntu-certified devices, including the Eee PC netbooks, which are known for their speed, virus-free operation, and rich application ecosystem through the Ubuntu Software Centre. As of 2023, ASUS holds a 9% share of the global laptop market, and while its market share has seen fluctuations, it remains a significant player, especially in the gaming and niche markets with series like ZenBook, Vivo, and Republic of Gamers. Despite some compatibility issues with newer hardware features like Intel Optane and modified touchpads, many ASUS laptops, such as the Zenbook series, can run Ubuntu with minimal adjustments. This makes ASUS a reliable choice for those looking to install Ubuntu on their laptops.

HP

HP is a leading producer of laptops that can seamlessly run Ubuntu, with a significant market presence; as of 2023, HP holds a 22.5% global laptop market share and 26.7% in the United States. HP has offered Ubuntu pre-installed on some of its models, such as the low-powered laptop with Ubuntu 12.04, which features a 15.6-inch screen, 1.48GHz AMD E1-1500 processor, and 4GB of RAM. This initiative has been seen as a positive trend for Linux adoption. HP's support, although limited for Linux users, can be supplemented by community forums like the Ubuntu Forums. The company's popular models, including Envy, Elitebook, and Pavilion, are often compatible with Ubuntu installations.

Acer

Acer is renowned as one of the best laptop brands for running Ubuntu, with a high success rate of hardware compatibility. Many Acer models, such as the Aspire One series, have been reported to work seamlessly with Ubuntu, with few to no problems encountered. For instance, the Acer Aspire One 533 and other netbooks in the series have shown excellent compatibility, even with older Ubuntu versions like 9.10 and 10.10. This consistent performance makes Acer laptops a popular choice among Ubuntu users. The ease of installation and the lack of significant hardware issues further solidify Acer's reputation. To explore more about Acer's compatibility with Ubuntu, you can refer to their Ubuntu hardware support page.

Purism

Purism stands out as a premier producer of laptops optimized for Ubuntu and other Linux distributions, renowned for its commitment to privacy, security, and open-source principles. Their laptops, such as the Librem 14, feature hardware that is 100% Linux-compatible, eliminating the need for proprietary drivers and binaries in the Linux kernel. This approach aligns with the Free Software Foundation's endorsements, ensuring a pure and secure computing experience. The Librem 14, in particular, boasts a 14-inch matte IPS display, an Intel Core i7-10710U processor, up to 32 GB of RAM, and physical hardware kill switches for enhanced security. Since its founding in 2014, Purism has consistently innovated, introducing features like CoreBoot support and open-firmware controllers. For more insights into the Purism Librem 14 Linux laptop, explore further.

TUXEDO Computers

TUXEDO Computers, based in Augsburg, Germany, is a renowned manufacturer of Linux-powered laptops, particularly known for its Ubuntu-based TUXEDO OS. Since 2004, the company has been specializing in desktops and notebooks, with devices assembled in Leipzig, Germany. TUXEDO OS, released in 2022, is a derivative of Ubuntu 22.04 LTS, featuring KDE Plasma 5.25 and defaulting to PipeWire as its sound server. This distribution is tailored for TUXEDO laptops but can be installed on other PCs, offering features like live mode, dual-booting, and a custom GRUB bootloader. TUXEDO Computers also provides full Linux support for various gaming laptops, including the Intel-TongFang QC7, with detailed driver and software packages.

ZaReason

ZaReason was a pioneering brand known for producing high-quality, prebuilt Linux laptops and desktops, particularly those pre-loaded with Ubuntu Linux. Despite its niche market, ZaReason carved out a sustainable presence, especially among Linux enthusiasts, until its closure in 2020 due to the impact of the pandemic. The company was notable for its affordable and well-supported devices, often selling the same white-box laptops and desktops as its rivals but with a focus on Linux compatibility. ZaReason's initial success was evident in the early 2000s, particularly with the Everex CloudBook, which marked a critical milestone for Linux laptops in 2008. However, the company's product line and tech support had been declining before the pandemic delivered the final blow. For more in-depth information, visit the ZaReason shutdown article on OMG! Ubuntu!.

Framework

The Framework Laptop 16 is highly regarded as one of the best laptops for Ubuntu users, with Ubuntu 24.04 performing exceptionally well, outpacing Windows 11 in 67% of 101 benchmarks and showing a 20% performance advantage overall on the AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS model. This laptop's modular design and official Linux support make it a favorite among Linux enthusiasts, with Linux running on nearly 50% of Framework laptops. The Framework 16, with its customizable keyboard and swappable Radeon GPU, offers a user-friendly Linux experience, especially with distributions like Arco Linux. Despite some challenges with the MediaTek Wi-Fi adapter, recent kernel updates have improved compatibility. Framework's detailed installation and configuration guides, along with dedicated Linux support, further enhance the user experience.