7 Best Linux Laptops for Developers 2024

A laptop can be helpful or burdensome for a developer or programmer, depending on the type of laptop system you have.

When you get a capable system, you will definitely be rewarded with a durable companion that you can travel anywhere with, and comfortably work at any time.

If you fall victim to buying the wrong laptop that isn’t compatible with the Linux OS, then you have a wasted investment.

To help you get Linux-compatible systems, we structured a list containing the best Linux laptops for developers that are readily available in the market.

Best Linux Laptops for Developers: Best ubuntu laptops

1. 2020 Apple MacBook Laptop

Specifications

Battery life in laptop systems is very essential for users, mostly for developers who spend a long period on their systems.

So you must get a system that can last all day, without having you glued to the wall, plugged in, and that’s what the Apple MacBook Air is all about.

This system is designed to give you an all-day battery life experience, and it can go longer than ever with up to 18 hours of battery power.

It has a powerful performance, which allows you to take on everything from professional high-quality editing to action-packed gaming so easily.

The Apple chip with an 8-core CPU that runs four times faster in performance than your traditional laptops while consuming much less power.

Its 8GB memory makes your whole system super fast and responsive, and that way, you will be able to run heavy tasks like memory-hogging multi-tab browsing and open huge graphics files quickly and easily.

Apple didn’t leave out anything that would compromise on display, it is made with a 13.3-inch retina display, and the images come alive with high levels of realism. You will experience a sharp text, clear, and more vibrant colors.

This MacBook is easy to learn, and set up, with an astoundingly powerful and intuitive, packed with various applications to help you work more efficiently. With the MacBook Air, you can play, create, and work like never before.

You can use your best iPad and iPhone apps on macOS, and you will have all your apps together, all available on the App Store.

The 2020 Macbook Air is the thinnest and lightest notebook, and with just one touch, you can unlock your device via the built-in fingerprint scanner. Nothing is missing out on this Apple machine.

2. ASUS Chromebook Flip Laptop

Specifications

Introducing the all-new ASUS Chromebook Flip system, this Chromebook features a durable flexible hinge that rotates 360 degrees. It is a 14-inch display, and a four-way nano-edge narrow bezel, with all metal finishes.

Experience the ultrabook spec Chrome book that has the power and flexibility to help you get everything done as quickly as possible.

This system is powered by an Intel Core m3 processor that operates at 3.4GHz for snappy and fast performance. Developers typically use some applications to perform tasks, so you need a system that can comfortably handle a ton of tasks, without freezing.

If you run several tabs or many applications on this system, it has the power and capability to get it done effortlessly.

ASUS designed the Chromebook Flip with 4GB RAM, 64GB storage space, two USB Type C, one Type-A USB port, and a super shining backlight keyboard.

Its lightweight aluminum metal body makes it highly durable and displays a beautiful look that will always remain in style.

With dual high-quality stereo speakers and large resonant chambers that generate high-fidelity audio, the ASUS Chromebook provides a crisp sound that gives an immersive experience for videos and music. This system gives up to 10 hours of battery power, perfect for any developer.

3. Dell XPS Laptop

Specifications

XPS Infinity edge display enables a 13.3-inch screen in an 11-inch form, and it has an 80.7% screen-to-body ratio.

Display quality is one of the strong specs of the Dell XPS system, it maximizes the color spectrum with the full RGB color, and a 1500:1 contrast ratio. With that, you get to see every shadow taking shape, and also the bright scenes gain definition.

Enjoy a beautiful view from every angle of your system, and it comes with an anti-reflective screen that allows you to use this laptop out in the sun, without struggling to get a good look at your screen, plus it also protects your eyes.

This anti-reflective screen is combined with superior brightness for you to enjoy your entertainment outdoors. As a developer, you can be able to work outside, and at any time of the day.

The Dell XPS 13.3 inch laptop has stunning strength, it is cut from a single block of aluminum, so you are getting a laptop more durable than you think, and it has a gore thermal insulation that provides thermal conductivity levels less than air in a flexible, thin form.

This laptop system brings your entertainment back to life, with the best-in-class technology, paired with advanced hardware, and software power content with incredible dynamic range.

With the new 10th gen Intel Core i7 processor, you are getting an increased performance.

Your system boots and resumes in seconds, and that is attributed to its s256GB solid-state drive. You can multitask in a flash even while running heavy applications.

4. Librem 14

Specifications

This is the first 14-inch laptop designed to safeguard your digital life. The Librem 14 is an extremely portable workstation system that was carefully designed to highly prioritize your security, freedom, and privacy.

The Librem 14 computer features an Intel Core i7 and can accommodate up to 64 DDR4 RAM.

It has an Intel processor that gets you years of coreboot development and energy-efficient Intel UHD graphics powerful enough for 4k videos, 3D gaming, and graphics processing.

There is also a memory card reader, USB 3 Type A and C, and HDMI 2 ports for maximum connectivity.

Durability isn’t a problem with the Librem 14 laptop, as it is made with high-quality aluminum chassis, and it is made with a full-size backlit keyboard system with a lot of key travel.

Processors are very important for developers, the 10th generation version has twelve threads, and six cores, and it offers the best battery power, while not compromising on the speed and it supports an open-source coreboot BIOS.

It also has kill switches that disconnect your cameras, mic, or wireless connections when not in use. No other laptop competes with the Librem 14 in terms of security.

5. System76 Pangolin Laptop

Specifications

The Pangolin laptop is System78’s first laptop system powered by AMD Ryzen mobile processors. The AMD Ryzen 7 encourages fast and nimble computing.

You can round out your AMD experience with the integrated AMD Radeon graphics card, making this Pangolin laptop system outclass other Pangolin products.

This Pangolin product is the lightest 15-inch laptop to be manufactured, it is sleek and slender, featuring a multi-color backlit keyboard with addictive tactile feedback.

It’s high time you digitize your mind in comfort with a huge trackpad and thin-bezel display.

You are getting upgrades galore with this laptop. Pangolin laptops are fully upgradable, and it leaves you money to spare on upgrades, now or later.

Their laptop spares are easily accessible and you can get them at any time. You can equip this system with up to 64GB RAM, and 2TB NVMe storage.

6. Acer Chromebook 13.5″ Laptop

Specifications

Acer products are always great for developers, especially the Acer Chromebook Spin 713.

Acer laptop systems are of high quality and specs, consistently delivering top-class performance, and this makes them one of the best laptops for developers in the market.

This Acer laptop system is built with a tenth-generation Intel Core i5 processor operating at 1.60GHz, having a 6M cache, four cores, and up to 4.20 GHz.

The display is a 13.5-inch 2K VertiView CineCrystal touchscreen, and the graphics, an Intel UHD graphics.

The most significant feature of portability is the flip-and-fold convertible design.

This electronic device offers a good experience for programming, remote work, browsing the net, and studying from home.

It is packed with 8GB DDR4 RAM, and a 128GB NVMe solid-state drive, to enable you to work smoothly and run as many applications as you need to make your work efficient and fast.

It also has a front camera which is good for schooling, online classes, professionals, Google Classroom, and remote learning.

The Acer Chromebook gets you always prepared for whatever situation you need to work in. You can develop programs or applications most comfortably.

7. Lenovo ThinkPad Ultrabook

Lenovo ThinkPad ultrabook system has an outstanding battery life, rated up to 19.5 hours, although the actual battery power may vary due to system usage, and settings, including screen brightness, and power management.

The Wi-Fi 6 wireless technology gets you a fast and reliable connection, even when you are logged on to networks housing loads of attached devices.

You have a rapid charge feature that boosts your battery life up to 80% an hour, and it weighs only 2.4lbs.

The ThinkPad offers a sound performance due to its massive storage specifications; it is made with 16GB RAM, and a 2TB PCle solid-state drive, to enable you to seamlessly run your programs, and multi-task with ease.

You can also store a lot of files without bothering about low storage space.

This Lenovo ThinkPad also features an HD webcam with a privacy shutter, a backlit spill-resistant keyboard, a fingerprint reader, Bluetooth 5, and a Dolby speaker system.

Its high connectivity also extends to the ports, you have two USB Type C, Thunderbolt 3, one HDMI, and a network extension for Ethernet connectivity.

You can trust this laptop to handle whatever is thrown in its way, from spills to falls, this system can handle attacks without developing any fault.

So you are sure of getting a durable system at a very affordable price range.

How to select the best Linux laptops for developers

Not all laptops are built for developers, nowadays laptops are built towards satisfying the needs of a particular set of persons, just like your gaming laptops.

So you should not make the mistake of buying random laptops, it has to suit your needs.

Several factors should be considered when you want to select a Linux laptop for software or website development.

Graphics Card

Developers cannot function with a system that doesn’t have a dedicated graphics card.

If you are a developer, and you need to get a system, you should buy a laptop that comes with a dedicated graphics card, if you want to develop games or software that demands high hardware acceleration.

You can use a graphics card to perform several computations, including those utilized in machine learning.

Laptop Performance

The need for a powerful performing laptop system is highly essential when writing code.

If you don’t value your time, you can use an old typewriter to write a whole application, and not buy a laptop. However, developing isn’t just about writing several codes.

It is also about testing, optimizing, debugging, and prototyping. These activities are performed much easier on a system that has a lot of processing power.

You should get a system of not less than 8GB RAM, an Intel Core i5 processor, or anything of equal specification. Anything less might not give you that top performance.

Ergonomics

Every programmer or developer would love a system with comfortable keyboards and a fast responsive touchpad after coding for more than eight hours.

But unfortunately, the ugly truth is that even when you use high-end laptop systems that are within the $1000 price range; do not prioritize ergonomics.

Do not conclude that laptops at a very high price are meant to have excellent ergonomics, ensure you inspect the laptop by checking its specifications.

If possible, you can take the laptop out, and perform a first-hand inspection.

Screen Size

If you want a system that is portable enough for you to carry around for the whole day, without wearing you out, or you need a desktop replacement, then you need to purchase a laptop that fits your requirements.

If it is the former you need, then you should focus on getting a laptop with a small screen size of not more than 14 inches.

Screen resolution definitely matters when it comes to programming, and a 14-inch can display as much information as a 16-inch laptop system.

Battery Power

One of the top advantages of laptop computers over desktop systems is their portability. It’s best that you select a system that can get you working through the entire process without having to look for an AC source.

The efficiency of your laptop battery power reduces with time, so you have to get a system with high enough battery power, so you are still left with a tangible amount of hours after some years.

Processor 

For a developer, processor performance is vital. This is because it affects every aspect of your work.

The processor deals with your system’s total performance, which will increase or reduce your work efficiency.

The smooth operation of your applications has a lot to do with the processor power and speed rate.

Systems with advanced processors are found at high prices but are worth the value. It’s best to have a laptop with an Intel Core i5 processor or a higher grade for a developer.

You might also want to check if the system is a dual-core processor, as it boosts the functionality of your system, so you have a smooth work time.

FAQs

Conclusion

These systems are the best Linux laptops for developers, and they are all rated at high performance. You are sure of getting good value for your money.

If you want to get your system somewhere else, ensure you use the guide, so you get the right one.