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10 Places Where You Can Buy Linux Computers
Looking for Linux laptops? Here I list some online shops that either sell Linux computers or specialize only in Linux systems.
Almost all the computers (except Apple) sold these days come with Windows preinstalled on it. The standard procedure for Linux users is to buy such a computer and then either remove Windows and install Linux or dual boot Linux with Windows.
But you don’t always have to go through Windows. You can buy Linux computers as well.
But why buy a computer preinstalled with Linux when you can easily install Linux on any computer? Here are some reasons:
- A computer with Windows always has an extra cost for the Windows license. You can avoid that.
- Computers preinstalled with Linux are well-tested for hardware compatibility. You can be sure that your system will have WiFi and Bluetooth working instead of figuring these things on your own.
- Buying Linux laptops and desktops supports Linux indirectly. More sale indicates that there is a demand for Linux products and thus more vendors may incline to provide Linux as a choice of operating system.
If you are looking to get a new Linux laptop, let me suggest you a few manufacturers and vendors that provide ready-to-use Linux systems.
10 places to buy Linux laptops and computers
A couple of disclaimer/information before you see the list of shops offering computers with Linux preloaded.
Please make a purchase on your own decision. I am simply listing the Linux computer sellers here, I cannot vouch for their product quality, after sale service or other such things.
This is not a ranking list. The items listed here are in no particular order. The numbers are used for the purpose of counting the items, not ranking them.
Let’s see from where you can get desktops and laptops with Linux preinstalled.
1. Dell
Dell has been offering Ubuntu laptops for several years now. Their flagship product XPS features a Developer Edition series that comes with Ubuntu preinstalled.
If you read my review of Dell XPS Ubuntu edition, you know that I loved this laptop. It’s been more than two years and this laptop is still in great condition and performance has not deteriorated.
Dell XPS is an expensive device with a price tag of over $1000. If that’s out of your budget, Dell also has inexpensive offering in its Inspiron laptop range.
Do note that Dell doesn’t display the Ubuntu/Linux laptops on its website. Unless you already know that Linux laptops are offered by Dell, you wouldn’t be able to find them.
So, go to Dell’s website and enter Ubuntu in its search box to see the products that ship with Ubuntu Linux preinstalled.
Availability : Most part of the world.
2. System76
System76 is a prominent name in the Linux computers world. This US-based company specializes in high-end computing devices that run Linux. Their targeted user-base is software developers.
Initially, System76 used to offer Ubuntu on their machines. In 2017, they released their own Linux distribution Pop!_OS based on Ubuntu. Since then, Pop!_OS is the default OS on their machine with Ubuntu still available as a choice.
Apart from performance, System76 has put a great emphasis on the design of its computer. Their Thelio desktop series has a handcrafted wooden design.
You may check their Linux laptops offering here. They also offer Linux-based mini PCs and servers.
Did I mention that System76 manufactures its computers in America instead of the obvious choice of China and Taiwan? The products are on the expensive side, perhaps for this reason.
Availability : USA and 60 other countries. Extra custom duty may be applicable outside the US. More info here.
3. Purism
Purism is a US-based company that takes pride in creating products and services that help you secure your data and privacy. That’s the reason why Purism calls itself a ‘Social Purpose Corporation’.
Suggested read How To Use Google Drive In Linux
Purism started with a crowdfunding campaign for creating a high-end open source laptop with (almost) no proprietary software. The successful $250,000 crowdfunding campaign gave birth to Librem 15 laptop in 2015.
Later Purism released a 13″ version called Librem 13. Purism also created a Linux distribution Pure OS keeping privacy and security in mind.
Pure OS can run on both desktop and mobile devices and it is the default choice of operating system on its Librem laptops and Librem 5 Linux phone.
Purism gets its components from China, Taiwan, Japan, and the United States and builds/assemble them in the US. All their devices have hardware kill switches to turn off the microphone/camera and wireless/bluetooth.
Availability : Worldwide with free international shipping. Custom duty may cost extra.
4. Slimbook
Slimbook is a Linux computer vendor based in Spain. Slimbook came to limelight after launching the first KDE branded laptop.
Their offering is not limited to just KDE Neon. They offer Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Ubuntu MATE, Linux Mint and Spanish distributions like Lliurex and Max. You can also choose Windows at an additional cost or opt for no operating system at all.
Slimbook has a wide variety of Linux laptops, desktops and mini PCs available. An iMac like 24″ curved monitor that has in-built CPU is an awesome addition to their collection.
Want a liquid cooled Linux computer? Slimbook’s Kymera Aqua is for you.
Availability : Worldwide but may cost extra in shipping and custom duty
5. TUXEDO Computers
Another European candidate in this list of Linux computer vendors. TUXEDO Computers is based out of Germany and mainly focuses on German users and then European users.
TUXEDO Computers only uses Linux and the computers are ‘manufactured in Germany’ and come with 5 years of guarantee and lifetime support.
TUXEDO Computers has put up some real good effort in customizing its hardware to run on Linux. And if you ever run into trouble or want to start afresh, you have the system recovery option to restore factory settings automatically.
TUXEDO Computers has a number of Linux laptops, desktops, mini-PCs available. They have both Intel and AMD processors. Apart from the computers, TUXEDO Computers also has a range of Linux supported accessories like docking stations, DVD/Blue-Ray burners, power bank and other peripheral devices.
Availability : Free shipping in Germany and Europe (for orders above 150 Euro). Extra shipping charges and custom duty for non-EU countries. More info here.
6. Vikings
Vikings is based in Germany (instead of Scandinavia :D). Certified by Free Software Foundation, Vikings focuses exclusively on Libre-friendly hardware.
The Linux laptops and desktops by Vikings come with coreboot or Libreboot instead of proprietary boot systems like BIOS and UEFI. You can also buy server hardware running no proprietary software.
Vikings also has other accessories like router, docking station etc. The products are assembled in Germany.
Availability : Worldwide (except North Korea). Non-EU countries may charge custom duty. More information here.
7. Ubuntushop.be
No! It’s not the official Ubuntu Shop even though it has Ubuntu in its name. Ubuntushop is based in Belgium and originally started selling computers installed with Ubuntu.
Today, you can get laptops preloaded with Linux distributions like Mint, Manjaro, elementrayOS. You can also request a distribution of your choice to be installed on the system you buy.
One unique thing about Ubuntushop is that all of its computers come with default Tails OS live option. So even if it has a Linux distribution installed for regular use, you can always choose to boot into the Tails OS (without live USB). Tails OS is a Debian based distribution that deletes all traces of its use after logging out and it uses Tor network by default.
Suggested read Things to do After Installing Ubuntu 18.04 and 18.10
Unlike many other big players on this list, I feel that Ubuntushop is more of a ‘domestic operation’ where someone manually assembles your computer and installs Linux on it. But they have done quite some job on providing options like easy re-install, own cloud server etc.
Got an old PC, send it to them while buying a new Linux computer and they will send it back to you after installing lightweight Linux on it so that the old computer is recycled and can still be put to some use.
Availability : Belgium and rest of Europe.
8. Minifree
Minifree, short for Ministry of Freedom, is a company registered in England.
You can guess that Minifree focuses on the freedom. It provides secure and privacy-respcting computers that come with Libreboot instead of BIOS or UEFI.
Minifree devices are certified by Free Software Foundation which means that you can be sure that your computer adhere to guidelines and principals of Free and Open Source Software.
Unlike many other Linux laptops vendors on this list, computers from Minifree are not super-expensive. You can get a Libreboot Linux laptop running Trisquel GNU/Linux from 200 euro.
Apart from laptops, Minifree also has a range of accessories like a Libre Router, tablet, docking station, batteries, keyboard, mouse etc.
If you care to run only 100% free software like Richard Stallman, Minifree is for you.
Availability : Worldwide. Shipping information is available here.
9. Entroware
Entroware is another UK-based vendor that specializes in Linux-based laptops, desktop and servers.
Like many others on the list, Entroware also has Ubuntu as its choice of Linux distribution. Ubuntu MATE is also available as a choice on Entroware Linux laptops.
Apart from laptops, desktop and servers, Entroware also has their mini-PC Aura and the iMac style monitor with built-in CPU Ares.
Availability: UK, Ireland France, Germany, Italy, Spain
10. Juno Computers
This is a new Linux laptop vendor on our list. Juno Computers is also based in UK and offers computers preinstalled with Linux. elementary OS, Ubuntu and Solus OS are the choices of Linux distributions here.
Juno offers a range of laptops and a mini-PC called Olympia. Like almost all the mini-PCs offered by other vendors here, Olympia is also basically Intel NUC.
The main highlight from Juno Computers is a low-cost Chromebook alternative, Juve that costs £299. It runs a dual-booted system with Solus/elementray with an Android-based desktop operating system, Prime OS.
Availability: UK, USA, Canada, Mexico, Most part of South America and Europe, Australia, New Zealand, some part of Asia and Africa. More information here.
Honorable mentions
I have listed 10 places to get Linux computers but there are several other such shops available. I cannot include all of them in the main list and a couple of them seem to be out of stock for most products. However, I am going to mention them here so that you may check them on your own:
Other mainstream computer manufacturers like Acer, Lenovo etc may also have some Linux systems in their catalog so you may check their products as well.
Have you ever bought a Linux computer? Where did you buy it? How’s your experience with it? Is it worth buying a Linux laptop? Do share your thoughts.
via: https://itsfoss.com/get-linux-laptops/
作者：Abhishek Prakash 选题：lujun9972 译者：译者ID 校对：校对者ID