7 best cheapest laptops for Linux

Linux users also prefer to use this operating system on the go. Here you can find the 7 best and cheap laptops with Linux compatibility.

Table of Contents

1. Acer Aspire E 15

Although Acer Aspire E 15 is primarily a Windows machine, it is preferred by Linux users because of its compatibility with Linux operating system. With its 8th generation Intel Core i3-8130u processor, it can boot both operating systems without any problems. In addition to 1 TB storage space, it also has 6 GB of dual-channel RAM. This machine, sporting a 15.6’ monitor, has multiple USB ports, so users can charge their mobile devices easily.

2. Asus Zenbook 13

With its Intel Core i5 processor, 256 GB of flash storage and 8 GB of RAM Asus Zenbook 13 offers a smooth running experience. Like Acer Aspire E15, this fast laptop comes preloaded with Windows 10 but it is also compatible with Linux distributions, ensuring a solid Linux experience. It is convenient for daily usage and some less demanding games can be played on it. With a thickness of 13.9 mm, this thin laptop is also very light; weighing only 1.12 kgs. In addition to these features, it has a discrete fingerprint reader for increased security.

3. Star Lite Mk II

Supporting various distros out of the box, Star Lite Mk II is designed primarily for Linux users by Star Labs. This budget-friendly laptop which is ready to use since August 2019 has 240GB SSD and is powered by a quad-core Intel Pentium N4200 processor and 8GB of RAM. In addition to these features, it has 11.6-inch Full HD 1920×1080 pixels IPS screen. Screen finish can be changed on Star Labs online store as well. Prospective buyers have two choices: A matte or semi-gloss finish. It comes preloaded with Ubuntu, Mint or Zorin OS depending on the user choice. Its separate USB 3.0, USB 2.0 ports can be considered as a plus too.

4. Acer Aspire 1 A114

Acer Aspire 1 A114 is one of the cheapest laptops with Linux potential. It can be used for web development, basic media editing and office tasks and general internet browsing with its dual-core Intel Celeron N4000 processor. With the other features like a 14-inch Full HD screen, 4GB of RAM, Acer Aspire 1 A114 is a Windows 10 laptop that is capable to run Linux at a low price point; making it a good entry-level Linux laptop on the price-performance axis.

5. Pinebook Pro

A cheap laptop, Pine64’s Pinebook Pro is powered by a hexa-core ARM processor with 4GB of RAM. It’s a good choice for Linux users because it comes pre-loaded with a custom Linux Debian operating system. This 11.6-inch laptop uses a 64GB onboard eMMC flash memory and can be extended further with several slots and ports; including a microSD slot, USB-C and USB 3.0 ports. In addition to these, it sports stereo speakers and a Bluetooth 5.0 connection meeting the expectations of a modern laptop. With its small size, it can rather be used as a second device.

6. HP Chromebook 14

With the announcement of Google Chromebook’s support of Linux software in 2019, Chromebooks became more attractive for Linux users. At this price point, HP Chromebook 14 which has the dual-core Intel Celeron N3350 processor and 4GB of RAM can be one of the suitable choices for doing everyday tasks but not gaming. This affordable laptop offers a long battery life as well.

7. Asus VivoBook S15

Asus VivoBook S15 which has 8 GB of RAM and a fast 256 SSD is powered by one of the next generation, 8th Generation, Intel Core processors. The 15.6-inch screen with its rotatable hinge can open to 3.5 degrees of angle, giving an improved typing position. It is ultrathin, light and sporting a colorful design. In addition to these features and the ability to provide a wide viewing angle, it also comes with a fingerprint reader and USB-C. In the GPU side of things, it uses an NVIDIAdiscrete graphics, allowing it to be used for various tasks including multimedia editing, or casual gaming.