The best Linux laptops in 2025: Expert tested for students, hobbyists, and pros

As soon as solely a favourite amongst coding and programming professionals and area of interest hobbyists, Linux has been steadily rising in reputation through the years. Because it’s open supply, there are many completely different Linux distributions accessible so that you can check and see what’s greatest on your talent stage and wishes.

Linux may even be used to present an outdated laptop computer or desktop new life as a studying instrument for newbie programmers. Whereas Mac customers have some catching as much as do by way of distro assist, there are many Home windows-based laptops with comparable efficiency and battery life that may additionally run Linux.

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What’s the greatest Linux laptop computer proper now?

Shopping for any laptop computer might be daunting, not to mention one for an working system you is probably not acquainted with. ZDNET specialists went hands-on with Linux-capable laptops from Lenovo, Dell and extra to check user-friendliness, efficiency, and battery life.

Our decide for the very best Linux laptop computer general is the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 AMD because of its affordability and customization choices. In the event you’re in search of one thing extra beginner-friendly or a Linux-capable Mac different, preserve studying under to be taught extra about our picks for the very best Linux laptops.

Additionally: These are the best possible Linux distros for programming

One of the best Linux laptops of 2025

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Why we prefer it: With twin assist for Linux and Home windows, customers can simply swap between working programs for work and private initiatives. The ThinkPad T14s is constructed with as much as an Intel Core Extremely 7 processor, with 32GB of RAM, as much as 1TB of storage, and built-in Intel Arc graphics to deal with the whole lot from digital conferences to informal gaming.

Who it is for: A 12-hour battery life makes the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s an incredible possibility for each college students and professionals who want a laptop computer that has sufficient juice to get by way of a protracted day. With quick charging capabilities, you possibly can stand up to 70% battery with simply an hour of charging time. The 14-inch show is ideal for streaming, working in paperwork, and digital conferences or lessons.

Who ought to look elsewhere: The ThinkPad T14s is just able to 1920 x 1200 decision, which is greater than sufficient for typical house, workplace, or classroom use. In the event you’re a inventive skilled who wants 1440p or 4K decision for initiatives, there are different Linux-capable choices from each Lenovo and different manufacturers.

Evaluation: Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 AMD

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Why we prefer it: Dell permits you to create nearly any configuration you want for the XPS 13. It is received as much as 32GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD storage drive, and the selection between a Snapdragon X Plus or Elite CPU for loads of energy and efficiency for working in Linux or Home windows.

Who it is for: With each LCD and OLED show choices with as much as 3K decision, the Dell XPS 13 is a superb possibility for college kids, inventive professionals, and workplace employees. It additionally has a 17-hour battery life to final all day.

Who ought to look elsewhere: Whereas the Dell XPS 13 is a lot highly effective as-is, it would not have an possibility for a discrete graphics card. With out a devoted GPU, the Dell XPS 13 cannot deal with greater than probably the most informal of recreation titles and doubtless will not have the ability to deal with intense inventive packages like Blender.

Evaluation: Dell XPS 13 (2024)

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Why we prefer it: In the event you desire an AMD-based laptop computer over Intel, the Acer Swift Edge is a superb possibility for anybody trying to begin studying Linux. It is constructed with an AMD Ryzen 7 7840U processor, 16GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD storage drive, and built-in AMD Radeon graphics for inventive work and informal gaming.

Who it is for: The 3K decision show makes use of an OLED panel for enhanced distinction, detailing, and higher colour accuracy, making it an incredible possibility for inventive professionals who work with digital graphics or video. It additionally works with DTS audio processing for wealthy, full sound with no headset or exterior audio system.

Who ought to look elsewhere: With a battery life that tops out at about seven hours, cell professionals and college students could must discover a completely different Linux-based laptop computer to get by way of a typical day. It additionally has just one SSD slot, so you may have to interchange your total storage drive if you wish to improve your laptop computer.

Evaluation: Acer Swift Edge

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Why we prefer it: With a 16-inch OLED show able to 4K decision and a 60Hz refresh charge, the Asus ProArt P16 is a superb different for inventive professionals looking for a Linux-capable laptop computer that is simply as highly effective and versatile as a MacBook.

Who it is for: Together with a 4K OLED show, the ProArt P16 incorporates a devoted Nvidia RTX 4060 graphics card for much more processing energy whereas working with 3D fashions, animation, and video processing. You can even select between configurations constructed with both 32 or 64GB of RAM for all the facility and efficiency you want for rendering completed inventive initiatives and multitasking in intensive packages.

Who ought to look elsewhere: The Asus ProArt P16 is a superb MacBook different by way of energy and efficiency, however its value level matches its premium construct. Artistic professionals, college students, and hobbyist programmers have loads of choices in the marketplace for extra inexpensive Linux-capable laptops.

Evaluation: Asus ProArt P16

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Why we prefer it: The Microsoft Floor Laptop computer has a very spectacular 22-hour battery life, which helps you to work nearly two days within the workplace or classroom earlier than it’s essential to take into consideration plugging in. It additionally has each 13.5- and 15-inch show choices for cell professionals or anybody who has a smaller work desk.

Who it is for: With highly effective configurations that includes as much as 64GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, and both a Snapdragon X plus or X Elite processor, you’ll deal with the whole lot from programming workout routines to digital lessons and even some inventive work. The improved Snapdragon processor additionally provides you higher efficiency whereas multitasking in highly effective packages like Blender and Adobe Artistic Suite.

Who ought to look elsewhere: A strong configuration additionally comes with a excessive value. With out a devoted graphics card, the Home windows Floor Laptop computer won’t have the ability to deal with intense inventive packages for animation or recreation improvement.

Evaluation: Microsoft Floor Laptop computer

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My selection for the very best Linux laptop computer is the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 AMD. Lenovo isn’t any stranger to providing Linux assist for his or her laptops and desktops, and the ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 takes the cake. It additionally presents a number of configuration choices to assist tailor the laptop computer to your particular work, studying, or hobbyist programmer/coder wants. It additionally has a extra inexpensive value than another choices in the marketplace, retailing for about $1,500. This makes it an incredible possibility for newcomers and hobbyists who won’t need to drop some huge cash on one thing they might not use a lot.

Finest Linux laptop computer	Value	Processor/graphics	Battery life
Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 Intel	$1,279	Intel Core Extremely 7/Intel Arc 140V	12 hours
Dell XPS 13 (2024)	$1,120	Snapdragon X Plus or Elite/Qualcomm Adreno	17 hours
Acer Swift Edge 16	$987	AMD Ryzen 7 7840U/AMD Radeon built-in graphics	7 hours
Asus ProArt P16	$2,000	AMD Ryzen AI 300 collection/Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060	10 hours
Microsoft Floor Laptop computer (2024)	$1,300	Snapdragon X Plus or Elite/Qualcomm Adreno	22 hours

*MSRP at time of writing. Please notice that precise retail pricing could range relying on the vendor in addition to accessible offers and promotions.

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It relies on how a lot expertise you’ve gotten utilizing the Linux working system. In the event you’re simply beginning out, you may need to go for a laptop computer with lower-end parts and configurations in addition to a cheaper price. By choosing much less subtle, inexpensive laptops, you possibly can reduce your enamel on Linux with out dropping a ton of cash if it seems to not be your cup of tea.

Nevertheless, in case you’re working with extra skilled Linux crowds, you could need to think about laptops with extra highly effective processors and graphics playing cards that can assist you create packages or work with Linux supply code.

Purchase this greatest Linux laptop computer…	In the event you want…
Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 Intel	A well-rounded laptop computer for working in Linux. Lenovo presents full Linux assist for the ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 Intel in addition to customization choices.
Dell XPS 13 (2024)	A extremely configurable Linux Laptop computer. The Dell XPS 13 presents a number of configuration choices to tailor the laptop computer to your particular work wants.
Acer Swift Edge 16	A Linux laptop computer with an unimaginable show. The Acer Swift Edge 16 is constructed with an OLED panel for enhanced colour and distinction in addition to as much as 3.2K decision.
Asus ProArt P16	A laptop computer for inventive execs in search of one thing on the identical stage as a MacBook Professional, however with dependable Linux OS assist.
Microsoft Floor Laptop computer (2024)	A Linux laptop computer with a protracted battery life. The refreshed Microsoft Floor Laptop computer presents as much as 22 hours of use on a full cost.

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What makes a machine worthy of belonging to the very best Linux laptop computer record? Clearly, it has to work with Linux and never require the consumer to do any of the work to make that occur. Past that, listed below are the important thing options we thought of when finishing hands-on testing to compile this record:

Efficiency: I included laptops with present or last-generation parts. This ensures that you will get the very best efficiency out of your new Linux laptop computer.
Design: Not all laptops are designed the identical approach. I selected laptops with each eye-catching, gamer-inspired designs in addition to laptops that will match proper in a standard workplace setting.
Value: Since Linux can run on nearly any laptop computer so long as the {hardware} is supported, you possibly can select an older or used mannequin to load the working system onto. This implies it can save you cash on upgrades, particularly in case you’re simply beginning out studying Linux.
Open-source assist: Linux is an open-source working system. You will discover tons of on-line communities devoted to studying Linux, tweaking supply code, and reporting points.

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Whereas we have been researching and testing every Linux-compatible laptop computer on this record, we saved these standards in thoughts:

Model integrity: It might be tempting to spring for that ultra-cheap, unfamiliar model, however what you may save, you may find yourself paying for later, attempting to cope with shady customer support or changing failing elements. Every laptop computer on this record has been chosen from respected manufacturers with sturdy return and trade insurance policies in addition to wonderful customer support.
Twin boot: Many Linux lovers may want or need to run a secondary working system like Home windows or macOS on their pc for finishing sure duties. Every laptop computer we have chosen has been verified to have the ability to run not less than one different working system except for Linux.
Configurability: No two customers can have the very same wants when utilizing a Linux laptop computer. Every mannequin chosen for our record has been verified to permit customers to drop in new parts, develop reminiscence, and add storage drives.

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Newest information on Linux laptops

Linux is an extremely versatile, open-source working system that can be utilized on nearly any PC configuration, even very outdated laptops and desktops. This lets you prolong the lifetime of your units. Being an open-source working system, there are dozens of variations accessible that may be tweaked and tailor-made to fit your wants.

The newest Linux kernel is Linux 6.14.5, which was launched on April 20 and added assist for Microsoft Copilot AI, handheld units just like the Steam Deck, and Intel Arc B graphics playing cards.

Linux is an open-source working system, created by Linus Torvalds, that’s not solely fitted to desktops and laptops, however for enterprise-grade servers, container deployments, the cloud, and rather more. Linux is accessible as a distribution and might be downloaded and put in totally free on as many machines as you want.

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This can be a little bit of an advanced reply.

Sure, you possibly can run Linux working programs on MacBooks, Mac Minis, and Mac desktops. However there is a catch: you must go for an older mannequin that makes use of an Intel Core processor as a substitute of Apple’s personal M1 or M2 chips. Apple’s silicon chips are beginning to see Linux hobbyists and execs alike construct assist, however on the time of writing, the one dependable technique to get Linux to run on an M1/M2 Mac is to make use of a digital machine which is a sort of emulation program.

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The largest hurdles you may should face when utilizing Linux over Home windows or MacOS are the training curve and common lack of assist from brand-name software program corporations. Since Linux is an open-source working system, there is not a single, unified model like there may be for Home windows 11 or macOS Catalina. Because of this it is rather more troublesome to program functions like video games, video gamers, and even climate apps to work constantly throughout all variations of Linux. Totally different variations additionally imply that simply since you’re acquainted with Ubuntu, that does not imply your experience will likely be of any use on a machine that runs a unique Linux dispo.

Additionally: Home windows, Mac, or Linux? We examine the professionals and cons of those computing platforms

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When speaking about programming and coding, you could come throughout the time period “open supply.” This simply implies that the unique code for a program like Linux or VLC Media Participant, is freely accessible to the general public for downloading, distribution, and modifying.

Linux is fashionable with programmers since it’s open supply, which implies that it is easy to try to make your personal modifications or command lists. Or you possibly can work along with the Linux neighborhood to resolve frequent bug points or create new assist packages for {hardware} like Apple’s M3 Silicon Chips.

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The beauty of Linux is that it’s an open-source working system. Which suggests there are lots of completely different variations on the market on boards and in addition the Web Archive. And since there are such a lot of completely different launch variations, newcomers trying to economize on their first devoted or dual-boot Linux machine can decide up a classic pc at a thrift retailer, property sale, or different secondhand retailer and sure discover an working system model that can run with it.

A thread on the Linux Mint Boards is stuffed with customers who have been ready to make use of varied variations of Linux Mint in addition to Pet (a model of Linux designed to be run from a flash drive, making it nice for hobbyists who restore classic tech) and Ubuntu on Home windows Vista and Home windows 98 computer systems (which intrepid tech hunters might be able to discover for a cut price at a thrift retailer or secondhand on-line). And Tech Tangents on YouTube, a channel devoted to restoring and archiving retro pc {hardware} and software program, was capable of revive a TeleVideo 950 terminal that was initially launched in 1980 and use a model of Linux on it.

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Newest updates

September 2025: Up to date the article to align with ZDNET’s newest styleguide. Up to date shopping for hyperlinks and retail costs.
ZDNET was capable of check the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 AMD, Dell XPS 13 (2024), Acer Swift Edge, Asus ProArt 16, and the Microsoft Floor Laptop computer (2024). Whereas we primarily targeted on every laptop computer’s capabilities as a Home windows machine, we additionally totally vetted every mannequin’s potential to efficiently run varied Linux distros.

Extra Linux laptops we examined

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Whereas Linux assist for Apple’s Silicon processors is not as sturdy as it’s for Home windows-based computer systems, lovers have created a number of compatibility modules. The MacBook Professional with the M3 Max chip provides skilled programmers the prospect to be on the slicing fringe of neighborhood assist.

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Space Black MacBook Pro (M3 Max) running MacOS Sonoma wallpaper

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This laptop computer was tailored for Linux, and presents a formidable 3K decision that is good for the whole lot from gaming and graphic design to picture modifying and video manufacturing.

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