Best Ubuntu Laptops You Can Buy in 2022
Syqua Linux Laptop 14 Inch N5095
The Syqua Linux Laptop 14 Inch N5095 isn’t the biggest performer on our list but that doesn’t stop it from being one of the best Ubuntu laptops you can buy in 2022. That’s because the laptop offers something even more important than top-of-the-line performance: excellent value.
Powered by the reliable Intel Celeron Processor N5095 CPU with 4 cores running at up to 2.90 GHz, the Syqua Linux Laptop 14 Inch N5095 is more than capable of handling everything from web browsing to multimedia to office work to 2D gaming. It costs under $500.
The versatile nature of this affordable laptop is supported by its 14.1-inch display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels and a low weight of less than 5 pounds. So, it’s never a problem to carry the laptop around.
Only one configuration of the Syqua Linux Laptop 14 Inch N5095 is available, and it comes with 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage. Since the laptop ships with Ubuntu 20.04 pre-installed, you can just boot it up and install your favorite Linux applications.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| – Excellent value for money | – Only one configuration available |
| – Comes with Ubuntu pre-installed | |
| – Full HD display | |
| – Great sound quality | |
| – Low weight |
Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 3
The Lenovo ThinkPad E15 is an inexpensive business laptop with a spacious 15.6-inch screen that makes it suitable as a portable workstation.
Four generations of the laptop have been released so far but we recommend the third generation because it comes with a capable AMD Ryzen CPU and an integrated AMD Radeon graphics card that works flawlessly with the Ubuntu operating system.
The CPU has 8 cores and 16 threads with a base clock speed of 1.8 GHz and a max turbo speed of up to 4.3 GHz. There’s also 16 GB of RAM and two 256 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSDs.
As a business laptop, the Lenovo ThinkPad E15 is equipped with a built-in 720p webcam, Gigabit Ethernet port, 802.11ax Wi-Fi, dual-array microphones, and Dolby-enhanced HARMAN stereo speakers to satisfy all of your connectivity and communication needs.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| – Spacious screen | – Doesn’t come with Ubuntu pre-installed |
| – Impressive performance | |
| – Durable build | |
| – Wi-Fi 6 support |
Lenovo IdeaPad 3
The 15.6-inch version of the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 comes with the efficient yet capable Intel Core i3-1115G4 processor and it can be specced with up to 20 GB of RAM and 1 TB of SSD storage.
We recommend you get the version with 12 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage because that’s all you need for most regular tasks. That said, the top-of-the-line configuration doesn’t cost much more, so don’t hesitate to go with it if your budget is large enough.
Because the 15.6-inch screen of the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 supports touch input, you need one of the latest versions of the Linux kernel for it to work. The easiest solution is to install the newest version of Ubuntu that’s currently available.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| – Touchscreen display | – Doesn’t come with Ubuntu pre-installed |
| – Several configurations available | – The touchscreen doesn’t work with older Linux kernels |
| – Great value for money |
Dell XPS 9520
If you’re looking for a premium laptop that can do just about anything without weighing more than a bag of bricks and being too large for most laptop pouches to fit in, then the Dell XPS 13 9520 is a stellar choice.
Even though the laptop has a 15.6-inch screen, its dimensions are roughly equal to those of older 13.3-inch ultrabooks thanks to its minimal bezels.
The compact chassis of the Dell XPS 13 9520 (in the configuration we recommend) hides the Intel Core i7-12700H CPU, 16 GB of DDR5 memory, 512 GB of SSD storage, and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 graphics card with 4 GB of GDDR6 video memory.
Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 wireless connectivity options are both present and their power-efficient nature, together with the large 86 Wh battery, contribute to the laptop’s great battery life.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| – Premium build quality | – Doesn’t come with Ubuntu pre-installed |
| – Bright InfinityEdge screen | – Expensive |
| – Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 | |
| – Great battery life |
ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 GA402RJ-G14.R96700
We normally don’t recommend gaming laptops to Linux users because they tend to come with poorly supported dedicated graphics cards and all kinds of gaming-specific features that either work poorly or not at all under Linux. The latest version of the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 is a notable exception, however.
The main reason why we can recommend is Asus-Linux.org, an independent community effort whose goal is to improve Linux support for Asus laptops by enabling device features like RGB keyboard LEDs, fn+key combos and media controls, and others.
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 GA402RJ-G14.R96700 itself features the AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS processor, the AMD Radeon RX 6700S graphics card, 16 GB of DDR5 memory, and a beautiful 14-inch display with a refresh rate of 120 Hz and 2560 x 1600 pixels.
With this configuration, the laptop can easily play even the most demanding Linux games out there and several even more impressive configurations are available as well.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| – Great community support | – Doesn’t come with Ubuntu pre-installed |
| – Beautiful display with a high refresh rate | – Expensive |
| – Powerful AMD CPU and GPU |
Bonus: GPD MicroPC
The GPD MicroPC by Shenzhen GPD Technology Co., Ltd. isn’t for everyone because this compact laptop has a screen that measures only 6 inches diagonally. Its compact size is also its greatest strength. However, because it makes it suitable for all kinds of tasks, including retro gaming, note-taking, wardriving, network troubleshooting, and others.
Unlike many other similarly-sized devices with a physical keyboard, the GPD MicroPC is based on the x86 architecture and powered by the Intel Celeron Processor N4120 processor with 8 GB of LPDDR4 RAM and 256 GB of fast SSD storage. So, it can run all the Linux software you know and love.
Despite its small size, the GPD MicroPC boasts extensive connectivity, offering an RJ45 interface for wired network access, dual-band Wi-Fi, three USB 3.0 ports, microSDXC slot, 3.5 mm audio jack, and even one RS-232 serial interface for communication with; for example, industrial control and automation systems.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| – Compact size | – Not for everyone |
| – Lots of memory and storage | – Doesn’t come with Ubuntu pre-installed |
| – Extensive connectivity |
How to Choose the Best Ubuntu Laptop for You
In this article, we’ve recommended seven excellent Ubuntu laptops, but how do you choose the best one for you? Well, you need to know exactly what you’re looking for in a laptop.
If you’re looking for an affordable yet capable companion that you can take with you anywhere and use for all kinds of purposes, from casual web browsing to office work to coding, then the Syqua Linux Laptop 14 Inch N5095 or the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 are both solid choices.
If, on the other hand, you have a generous budget and are looking for a portable workstation capable of handling even the most demanding tasks, then the Lenovo ThinkPad P16, the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 2022, or even the Dell XPS 13 9520 certainly won’t disappoint.
Those who are looking for a hassle-free user experience and a good battery life should consider the ASUS Chromebook Flip CX5, a premium Chromebook capable of running Linux software in a sandboxed environment.
Finally, there’s the GPD Micro PC, an oddity for fans of Ubuntu who are excited by the idea of owning a capable laptop that can fit inside any larger pocket and run anything from video game console emulators to Wi-Fi sniffing software.
Source: linuxhint.com