Hey everyone! I'm getting back into Linux after almost a decade and I'm on the hunt for a workstation laptop that plays nicely with some noob-friendly Linux distros, especially Ubuntu. In the past, I've run into hardware compatibility headaches, so I want to make sure I choose a reliable device this time. I need a laptop that can handle multitasking and support multiple displays without breaking a sweat.
I've heard good things about System76, since they come with Linux pre-installed, but I've also come across reports of some minor issues and feature requests with their devices.
I'm curious about the AMD Ryzen AI PRO 300 Series CPUs—are they any good for Linux? What about the ThinkPad T14s Gen 6? I'm particularly interested to know if things like the fingerprint scanner, WWAN card, and touch screen work smoothly. Is there good software for encryption in Linux too, and should I be worried about potential hardware issues?
I'm looking for some tried and tested hardware recommendations that are known to work well with Linux. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
3 Answers
If you're after a Windows 10-like experience, give Linux Mint Cinnamon a shot. For something that feels more like Windows 11, try Kubuntu. Both of these distros are known for their broad hardware support, so they should work well with most laptops out there.
I checked a few laptops and found many only had Windows or no OS options, but don't let that stop you! You can usually add your own Linux after the fact, especially with Dell and Lenovo models.
Dell and Lenovo are solid choices! They usually let you configure models on their websites and some have Ubuntu pre-installed. I've found that these generally work flawlessly. You can stick with Ubuntu or switch to another distribution without much hassle.
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