Linux – Laptop for Programming http://www.laptopforprogramming.com Wed, 24 May 2017 21:22:26 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.7.5 http://www.laptopforprogramming.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/cropped-icon-32x32.png Linux – Laptop for Programming http://www.laptopforprogramming.com 32 32 Best Cheap Laptop for Linux | Affordable Linux Laptops http://www.laptopforprogramming.com/best-cheap-laptop-for-linux/ Sun, 18 Dec 2016 03:37:57 +0000 http://www.laptopforprogramming.com/?p=98 We can imagine why most appreciate cheap laptop for Linux. Linux is the operating system of choice for most of the developers and programmers out there. It is one of the most flexible operating systems around. It is the most secure, versatile, ever-evolving, highly supported, and completely open-source operating system in the market. Due to these and many other […]

The post Best Cheap Laptop for Linux | Affordable Linux Laptops appeared first on Laptop for Programming.

]]> best cheap laptop for linuxWe can imagine why most appreciate cheap laptop for Linux. Linux is the operating system of choice for most of the developers and programmers out there. It is one of the most flexible operating systems around.

It is the most secure, versatile, ever-evolving, highly supported, and completely open-source operating system in the market.

Due to these and many other great reasons, Linux stands out as the best OS for programmers and developers.

Yes, there is a learning curve involved when moving from Windows or OSX, but it is well worth it.

Product
Price Scale
Screen Size
Processor
RAM
Graphics
Storage

Acer Aspire E5-575G-53VG

5.5/1015.6" FHDIntel Core i5-6200U8GB DDR4NVIDIA GeForce 940MX256GB SSD

ASUS F556UA-EB71

6/1015.6" FHDIntel Core i7-6500U8GB DDR3Integrated Intel HD1 TB HDD

Acer Aspire E 15 E5-575-33BM

3.5/1015.6" FHDIntel Core i3-7100U4 GB DDR4Integrated Intel HD1 TB HDD

HP 15.6 Inch Laptop

3.5/1015.6" HDAMD Quad-Core A10-8700P8GB DDR3 AMD Radeon R6 1 TB HDD

HP Notebook 15-ay011nr

4.5/1015.6" FHDIntel Core i5-6200U8GB DDR3 Integrated Intel HD512GB SSD

HP 15-ay013nr

5/1015.6" FHDIntel Core i5-6200U8GB DDR3 Integrated Intel HD128 GB SSD

Lenovo Ideapad 310 80ST001NUS

4.5/1015.6" HDAMD A12-9700P 12 GB DDR4Integrated1TB HDD

What is the Best Cheap Laptop for Linux?

There is no single cheap laptop for Linux that I would recommend. There are many amazing laptops out there that can be had for very cheap. These laptops already have Windows operating system installed; however, you can easily install Linux on them parallelly.

Like in most cases, depending on your budget, you can decide on which laptop suits you. There are ultra budget laptops that are cheaper than $400 and then there are others that are a bit more expensive.

Most developers out there do prefer having a dual boot option for Windows and Linux. These laptops will help you achieve that.

You will need to install Linux Operating system on these laptops. There are very few laptops that come pre-installed with Linux. Plus, it wouldn’t hurt to be able to dual-boot with Windows for versatility.
What to Expect from These Laptops?
  • The affordable Linux Laptops have just the bare minimum hardware that is needed to run the operating system as well as to perform development work.
  • This means, the laptops listed here would have at least a Core i3 processor and along with 8 GB of RAM. In some models with great value, you could also see 4 GB of RAM.
  • You cannot expect these laptops to have dedicated graphics cards or SSD. However, there are a few rare cases where you can even find those components on budget laptops.
  • This hardware is great for basic development and programming. The rest of the hardware are a secondary concern. If your budget allows, then you can look into other components like SSD or graphics card.

List of Best Cheap Laptop for Linux 2017

Let me break it down for you here. The following list has been broken in terms of price range. Considering any laptop below or around the range of $500 is budget, you can find plenty of amazing laptops.

Cheap Laptop for Linux Under $400

Believe it or not, you can find laptops that feature at least Intel Core i3 and a decent amount of RAM even at this price range. Here are the some of the best laptops that we have selected for you.

Acer Aspire E 15 E5-575-33BM – Core i3 Option (7th Generation)

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This is an excellent all rounder laptop that is well below the $400 range. It features some of the latest hardware in the market.

At the heart of this laptop lies the powerful Intel Core i3-7100U processor. This is a 7th generation processor capable of delivering incredible performance.

Another fantastic feature of this laptop is that it offers an FHD screen. This new because previously laptops would only feature HD resolution at this price range.

The only drawback of this laptop is that it fails to meet the 8 GB requirement of RAM. Instead, it features 4 GB of DDR 4 RAM.

Along with that, it has 1 TB of HDD and a battery life that can last for 12 hours on paper.

Specs at a glance: 15.6 FHD, Intel Dual Core i3-7100U, Integrated graphics, 4 GB DDR3 RAM, 1 TB HDD, 12 hours battery,

Read Full Review

Pros

  • Latest 7th generation Intel Core i3-7100U processor
  • Incudes FHD screen despite the ultra-budget price range

Cons

  • Only 4 GB of RAM. The laptop may show lag too soon,
  • No SSD drive

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2017 HP Premium Flagship Laptop – Great Performance/Dollar – AMD System

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If you can get over the ‘Certified Refurbished’ label on this laptop, you will realize that it has one of the finest bargains in the market.

The center of attraction of this laptops is the processor. This laptop features an AMD Quad-Core A10-8700P. This is a supremely powerful processor that has the clock speed of up to 3.2 GHz per core. In terms of performance, it is comparable to that of Intel Core i5.

Coupled with this processor is the Integrated AMD Radeon R6 graphics. This is far more powerful than Intel HD graphics.

Why should you go for an AMD instead of Intel? For starters, AMD is the reasonable option when choosing to go for budget machine. If you want to squeeze out the most performance/dollar value at the budget range, AMD can help you out with that.

Moreover, AMD’s integrated graphics card are almost always better than Intel’s same value counterparts. Although you still cannot play AAA titles, you can use it for low-level game development.

Furthermore, this laptop offers 8 GB of RAM and 1 TB of HDD. All of this checks out as being one of the best cheap laptop for Linux.

Despite all the great hardware, there is one thing missing that would have otherwise made this laptop the greatest deal on the market and that is the lack of an SSD.

However, considering the fact that this is a laptop priced at less than $400, the lack oof an SSD makes sense. You can; however, invest in an SSD if you wish to improve the overall performance of the laptop.

Specs at a glance: 15.6 HD, AMD Quad-Core A10-8700P, AMD Radeon R6 graphics, 8 GB DDR3 RAM, 1 TB HDD.

Pros

  • Large 8 GB of RAM
  • Relatively better integrated graphics card
  • If you want best performance/dollar value at this price range, this is a good option.

Cons

  • Lack of FHD screen makes multi-tasking less efficient
  • This is a ‘Certified Refurbished’, therefore you get a maximum of 90 days of warranty

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Cheap Laptop for Linux Under $500

In this range, you can expect the laptops to offer Intel Core i5 processors. This is the best processor that you can look forward to a budget range of notebooks.

Acer Aspire E 15 E5-575G-53VG – Our Top Recommendation

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This is one laptop that I have been recommending in many lists. It has one of the best deals in the market. That is even evident from some reviews it has had received since such a short time it has been in the market.

For starters, it features an Intel Core i5-6200U processor. So processor, this is the best in the price range. However, on top of that not only does it feature an 8 GB of RAM, it also offer 256 GB of SSD and a NVIDIA GeForce 940Mx Graphics card.

For the gamers and game developers out there, this laptop is a dream come true. It has all the bells and whistles to satisfy your needs at very affordable price tag.

As far as this category of cheap laptop for linux is concerned, this could well be the best laptop out there.

Specs at a glance: 15.6 FHD, Intel Dual Core i5-6200U, NVIDIA GeForce 940MX, 8 GB DDR3 RAM, 256 GB SSD, 12 hours battery,

Pros

  • One of the best performance/dollar value.
  • Long battery life and slim design excellent for portability
  • Offers USB Type-C along with other latest features like DDR 4 RAM.

Cons

  • Not powerful enough to be cut out for heavier work.

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HP Notebook 15-ay011nr 15.6-Inch Laptop – Core i5 Option

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Most people looking for cheap laptop for linux would like to have at least a Core i5 processor. Why? Becasue you can perform some serious development work with that processor.

For starters, this laptop boasts an Intel Core i5-6200U processor. This is a 6th generation dual core processor which has pretty decent specs.

Along with that, it offers 8 GB of RAM. This is ample for all sorts casual and semi-professional work. Another great feature of this laptop is that it has an optical drive. This is a rare feature to be found in laptops these days.

The screen is 15.6″ and FHD. Therefore, you have plenty of real estate to work on.

Specs at a glance: 15.6 FHD, Intel Dual Core i5-6200U, Integrated graphics, 8 GB DDR3 RAM, 1 TB HDD, 7 hours battery,

Read Full Review

Pros

  • Fairly powerful processor and a decent amount of RAM makes this great for coding
  • FHD is excellent for multitasking
  • Reasonably long battery life

Cons

  • Lacks of SSD and a dedicated graphics card makes this a weak system. But you can’t really expect more at this price range,

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HP 15-ay013nr – Core i5 with SSD

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This yet another cheap laptop for linux that features Core i5 processor. Yes, the second best laptop also happens to be from HP. This one is cheaper than the one above.

It has almost the same specs as the HP Notebook 15-ay011nr. It has the same processor i.e. Intel Core i5-6200U as well as the same amount of RAM (8 GB).

The only significant difference between this laptop and the one above is that this one boasts 128 GB of SSD. We all know that SSDs can profoundly impact the speed and performance of the laptop. So if you want to go that road, this is the laptop to get.

Although SSD is a much welcome feature, it can significantly raise the price of the laptop. Therefore, if you are very tight on budget, you may want to look at none SSD options.

Furthermore, 128 GB may not be sufficient for most users. However, this can easily be remedied by getting an external hard disk for yourself.

Specs at a glance: 15.6 FHD, Intel Dual Core i5-6200U, Integrated graphics, 8 GB DDR3 RAM, 128GB SSD, 7 hours battery,

Pros

  • Fairly powerful processor and a decent amount of RAM makes this great for coding
  • 128 GB SSD would help in improving the performance across the board

Cons

  • SSD storage is lacking in space. You will have to spend on an external hard disk.
  • SSD can raise the overall price of the laptop by a significant margin.

Lenovo Ideapad 310 80ST001NUS 15.6-Inch Laptop – 12 GB of RAM

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If you value RAM, then this is the best cheap laptop for Linux for you. This laptop offers a whopping 12 GB of RAM at a price tag under $500.

One reason why this laptop has an awesome value is because it is based on an AMD system. As mentioned earlier, AMD systems have a better value for budget laptops.

AMD processors also have much better integrated graphics card as compared to their Intel counterparts.

Howeer, other than a large amount of RAM and a great dedicated graphics card, there isn’t much that can be said about this laptop

This laptop lacks a decent screen with only HD resolution. It also lacks an SSD drive. Most people at this price range would expect to have SSD in their laptops. This is especially true if you are a programmer or some other professional.

Specs at a glance: 15.6 HD, AMD Quad Core A12-9700P, Integrated graphics, 12 GB DDR3 RAM, 1 TB HDD, 5hours battery,

Pros

  • The AMD processor offer four cores a much better integrated graphics card than its Intel counterparts
  • 12 GB RAM at a budget price range is quite rare.

Cons

  • Lacks an FHD screen. Therefore, multitasking would be negatively affected.
  • Does not offer a decent battery life.

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Cheap Laptop for Linux Under $600

This is the price range where you can expect to find latest 7th generation Intel processor along with ample SSD storage. If you are lucky, you may even find an Intel Core i7 around the $600 price range.

ASUS F556UA-EB71 Notebook – Core i7 Option

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If you are looking for a laptop with an Intel Core i7 processor at a budget price range, then this is one laptop that you should consider.

There are a few things that you should note however. Firstly, this i7 processor in this laptop is not a high performance i.e. it is Core i7-6500U not Core i7-6700HQ. Secdonly, it does not belong to the latest 7 th generation processor.

The good news is that, this laptop is reasonably priced. The 7th generation processors are quite expensive. Therefore, getting a previous generation processor would be reasonable if you are on a budget.

Nevertheless, the Core i7 processor in this laptop is significantly better than the Core i5-6200U processor that we in the previous laptops. This laptop is essentially great for tough tasks.

su_note note_color=”#c2cdd2″ text_color=”#000000″]Specs at a glance: 15.6 FHD, Intel Dual Core i7-6500U, Integrated Graphics, 8 GB DDR3 RAM, 1 TB HDD[/su_note]

Pros

  • Intel Core i7 processor can significantly imrpove the performance.
  • This laptop is capable of handling tough projects
  • It has a plethora of connectivity options including USB Type C port.

Cons

  • Lack of an SSD can be a deal breaker.
  • Does not feature the latest generation processor.

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How to Install Linux?

Installing Linux is quite easy. Albeit, it is simpler to install Linux on a Windows based laptop as compared to a Macbook.

If you have ever installed Windows operating system on a computer, then you will have no issues installing Linux on any Windows-based machine.

You can find several video tutorials on how to install Linux if you are new. Here is one such video:

How to Dual Boot Windows 10 and Linux Mint?

In short, here are few easy steps to remember:

CAUTION: You must install the Linx OS on a different partition. Do not install it on the same partition as the Windows or else it will wipe it out. If you only have one partition, then create another one by dividing the space.

1. Backup all Your Critical Data

Anything can go wrong at any time. Booting a new OS is usually hassle-free; however, in the rare the occasion that things go south, your critical data should be saved.

2. Create a bootable disk

This can be done in a few ways:

  • Download the ISO image of the system here.
  • Burn it on a DVD
  • Create a bootable flash drive through this software here.

3. Change the boot order from BIOS

By default, the BIOS is set to boot from the Hard Disk as primary and DVD drive as secondary. If you are booting from a flash drive, you need to change the boot order and set the flash drive to primary.

This way, your system will take you straight to Linux installation.

4. Install the OS

Take your time to go through the installation process.

5. Verification

Verify that the installation is successful. Check to see if all of your hardware is being detected especially peripherals like the Webcam, Wifi, Bluetooth, Media Card Reader and even the USB ports.

Make sure all of your data is in place.

FAQ

Why is Linux a Better Operating System?
What kind of Programming or Development Can You Do on Budget Laptops?

Conclusion

Cheap laptop for Linux could be any laptop out there. Since Linux is an open source and free operating system, you can install it on any notebook. Most of the laptops that you will find will be Windows based since Apple and ‘Cheap” do not go together.

In this article, we talked about some of the best laptops that you can find at a cheap price range.

Are there any cheaper? Yes, there are cheaper laptops like the ones that are based on Intel Pentium or Celeron processor, but you will have a hard time working on those. Therefore, we have left those out intentionally.

If you plan on working on the Linux OS, then you need to at least invest in a laptop with Core i3 or equivalent processor.

The post Best Cheap Laptop for Linux | Affordable Linux Laptops appeared first on Laptop for Programming.

]]> Best Laptop for Ubuntu 2017 | (Updated May 2017) http://www.laptopforprogramming.com/best-laptop-for-ubuntu/ Mon, 21 Nov 2016 08:57:43 +0000 http://www.laptopforprogramming.com/?p=87 The best laptop for Ubuntu is nothing unique in terms of hardware. Unlike Windows or Mac, Ubuntu isn’t a paid operating. Therefore, you can get it for free and install it on any laptop of your choice. Ubuntu is the operating system of choice for many programmers and developers. Many programmers choose to install Ubuntu […]

The post Best Laptop for Ubuntu 2017 | (Updated May 2017) appeared first on Laptop for Programming.

]]> best laptop for ubuntuThe best laptop for Ubuntu is nothing unique in terms of hardware.

Unlike Windows or Mac, Ubuntu isn’t a paid operating. Therefore, you can get it for free and install it on any laptop of your choice.

Ubuntu is the operating system of choice for many programmers and developers. Many programmers choose to install Ubuntu on their programming laptops because of the vast development features it offers without restrictions.

However, you should be warned that installing Ubuntu on a Macbook is much tougher than installing it on a Windows based laptop.

It is for this reason that we always recommend people to get Windows-based laptops primarily as they are cheaper, easier to use and available in several configurations. You can install Ubuntu OS for free.

As much fun as it sounds, Ubuntu is a full package that comes with all the essentials you need to run your programming and development career. It is the Linux operating system of choice for many developers because it has such a strong and well-supported community.

Let us now have a look at the reviews. The list was updated on May 2017.

Product
Price Scale
Screen Size
Processor
RAM
Graphics
Storage

Dell XPS 9350-1340SLV

9/1013.3" IPS FHD TouchIntel Core i5-6200U8 GB LPDDR3Intel HD Graphics 520128 GB SSD

Acer Aspire V 13 V3-372T-5051

6/1013.3" IPS FHD TouchIntel Core i5-6200U6 GB DDR 3Intel HD Graphics 520256 SSD

Lenovo Flex 4 80VD000CUS

8/1014 inch IPS FHD TouchIntel Core i7-7500U8 GB DDR 4AMD Radeon R5 M4301 TB HDD 5400 RPM

Newest Dell Inspiron 14-inch

6/1014 inch HD TouchIntel Core i7-5500U8 GB DDR 3NVIDIA GeForce 920M1 TB HDD 5400 RPM

HP 15-ay018nr

5/1015.6″ FHDIntel Core i7-6500U8 GB DDR 3Intel HD256 GB SSD

Acer Aspire E5-575G-53VG

5.5/1015.6″ FHDIntel Dual Core i5-6200U8 GB DDR3 NVIDIA GeForce 940MX 256GB SSD

Dell Inspiron i7559-2512BLK

8/1015.6″ FHDIntel Quad Core i7-6700HQ8GB DDR3GeForce GTX 960M1 TB + 8 GB HSSD

Acer Aspire 17.3

6.5/1017.3" FHDIntel Core i5-7200U8 GB DDR4 NVIDIA GeForce GTX 940M256 GB SSD

Best Laptop for Ubuntu Reviews

Now, what we have prepared is a short review on all the laptops that qualify for Ubuntu. This will without a doubt help you decide what you need to buy.

We have shortlisted the best laptop for ubuntu based on screen size. We understand some of you prefer mobility, while others prefer a workstation. Therefore, this list should help you find what you are looking for.

Finding the Best Laptop for Ubuntu

If you are reading this article, then most probably you have already made up your mind on getting a laptop for Ubuntu. However, find the best laptop for Ubuntu depends on your needs and requirements.

Just as is the case with any other field, the hardware that you get reflects the complexity of the projects that you will work on. Finding the right hardware for Ubuntu is quite easy if you know exactly what your needs are.

This operating system can run on the most basics of hardware as well as on the most powerful of PCs.

13.3 inch Best Ubuntu Laptops

This screen size is perfect for mobility. These laptops are not just sleek and thin, they are also budget friendly and tend to have much longer battery life.

1. Dell XPS 9350-1340SLV Laptop – Premium Grade Ultrabook

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This is one of the finest 13.3-inch laptops for Ubuntu user. Like all of the laptops in this list, this laptop also comes pre-installed with Windows 10. However, booting Ubuntu would not be any issue at all. Ultrabooks for programming are a hot selling products. Why? because they are easy to carry around and offer a huge battery life.

This is not the top model for ultrabooks by Dell. It has been chosen purely based on the mobility aspect that it provides. It weighs only 2.8lbs and measures at 0.6 inches in thickness.

You do have to pay a premium for the form factor of this laptop since you can get almost the same hardware at a much cheaper rice tag.

This laptop comes in several configurations. This particular one offers Intel Core i5-6200U processor along with 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of SSD. All of these components are an essential requirement for smooth and lag free work environment.

The outer body of this laptop is classy and has an aluminum hard covering that ensures the laptop is sturdy as well as stylish.

Another fantastic aspect of this laptop is the screen. The laptop uses a high-quality IPS panel Full HD touchscreen. It gives vibrant and beautiful colors. This should be helpful if you are a graphic designer too.

Specs at a glance: 13.3 inch FHD IPS Touch, Intel Core i5-6200U, Integrated Graphics, 8 GB DDR3 RAM, 128 GB SSD, 0.6 inches thick

Pros

  • Beautiful design and high build quality
  • Light and thin makes it perfect for mobility
  • The hardware is more than enough for quality programming on Ubuntu system.

Cons

  • Expensive due to its premium design.
  • Lacks the 7th generation Kaby Lake processors

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2. Acer Aspire V 13 V3-372T Touch Notebook – Budget Ultrabook

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Granted, the Dell XPS 9350-1340SLV above was a bit expensive. This was mostly because of its exquisite looks and premium grade material used for construction.

If you are looking for almost the same hardware, a thin profile, at a much cheaper price tag, then this is the laptop for you.

This is a reasonably stylish and sleek laptop for Ubuntu. Regarding hardware, this laptop is almost the same as the Dell laptop above. However, it costs significantly less.

It measures at 0.81 inches and weighs 3.5lbs, which is big and heavy for a laptop of this size. However, it also costs much less.

At the core of this laptop lies the powerful Intel Core i5-6200U. Along with that this laptop offers 6 GB of RAM and 256 GB of SSD. One of the biggest attractions of this laptop, other than the price tag, is the 12.5 hours battery life.

If it is true portability and mobility that you are after, then this is the best laptop for Ubuntu. You can stay away from the power socket for almost half of the day.

Specs at a glance: 13.3 inch FHD IPS Touch, Intel Core i5-6200U, Integrated Graphics, 6 GB DDR3 RAM, 256 GB SSD, 0.81 inches thick

Pros

  • Ample storage for a budget ultrabook
  • A reasonably powerful hardware makes it suitable for working on Ubuntu system.
  • Offers a long battery life

Cons

  • A bit heavier compared to the market standard for 13.3″ laptops.
  • Only 6 GB of RAM can hamper the performance when dealing with larger workload.

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14 inch Ubuntu Laptops

This size of laptops are still quite portable, but at the same time are also comfortable for viewing. For many, 13.3-inch screen size is just too small. Therefore, 14 inch is the best bridge between portability and comfort.

3. Lenovo Flex Full HD Touchscreen Display 80VD000CUS

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The name itself is a good hint towards the flexibility of this laptop. It is called “flex” because the 360-degree rotating hinges allow the user to use this laptop in 4 different ways. The screen can be bent back, converted into a tent mode or just be used as a tablet.

Different modes will suit various applications. For instance, if you want to watch a movie then just go for the tent style. This laptop offers the latest 7th generation Intel Core i7-7500U processor. That is just beginning of the story for this laptop.

This is a touchscreen laptop. It offers a superior IPS panel that has a great color reproduction. On top of that, it is FHD. Therefore, it is also great for multi-tasking.

You will need to upgrade to Kernel 4.1 in order to make Ubuntu Touch-Friendly.

For less than $800, this laptop not only offers an excellent processor, it also boasts 1 TB of HDD, 8 GB of DDR 4 RAM and even a dedicated AMD R5 M430 graphics card.

This is hands down one of the best Ubuntu laptops that you can get. It is an all rounder laptop with all the essential components.

Specs at a glance: 14 inch IPS FHD Touchscreen, Convertible, Intel Core i7-7500U, 8 GB DDR 4, 1 TB HDD, AMD Radeon R5 M430

Pros

  • Convertible form factor adds another dimension to how you can use the laptop.
  • Perfect blend between performance and mobility.
  • Dedicated graphics card makes it great for even game development.

Cons

  • A bit expensive for budget conscious buyers.
  • The laptop disappoints with a lack of SSD; the HDD is only 5,400 RPM.

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Types of Convertible Laptops

Although there are a handful of convertible laptop types, there are two that stand out the most: hinge rotate and detachable.

Hinge Rotate

With these convertible laptops, the screen rotates 360 degrees and goes on top of the keyboard to act like a tablet. They keyboard gets disabled once in the tablet mode.

These convertible laptops generally offer better specs at a given price because the hardware is located in the base and therefore easier to manufacture. However, they are less portable and heavier. Therefore, their primary use is not as a tablet.

Lenovo Flex Full HD 80VD000CUS is an example of Hinge Rotate convertible laptop.

Detachable

With these convertible laptops, the screen detaches from the keyboard to act as a tablet.

They generally have weaker hardware; however, they are highly portable. They can be easily used in tablet mode.

4. Dell Inspiron Touchscreen – High-Performance Affordable Laptop

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This is yet another fantastic 14 inches best laptop for Ubuntu.

In fact, it is one of the cheapest laptops suitable for Ubuntu in this list. Yet it features an Intel Core i7 processor.

This laptop harbors Intel Core i7-5500U processor. This is from an older generation; however, the performance is more or less the same as compared to current gen models. On the plus side, the older generation processor brings down the price point.

As far as the budget is concerned, this is one of the best laptop for Ubuntu. However, it does have a few drawbacks.

Although this laptop has a touchscreen, the resolution is a disappointment. It only offer HD resolution.

Furthermore, this laptop offers an ample 8 GB of memory and a dedicated NVIDIA GeForce 920M graphics card. Remember that this is an entry level graphics card and you should not expect it to play the AAA titles on high settings.

Specs at a glance: 14 inch HD Touchscreen, Intel Core i7-5500U, 8 GB DDR 3, 1 TB HDD, NVIDIA GeForce 920M

Pros

  • Affordable 14 inch laptop that has the hardware to perform heavy duty work
  • NVIDIA GeForece 920 despite being an entry level graphic card, gives you added performance benefit when designing.

Cons

  • Only offers HD resolution
  • The processor is two generations older.

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15.6 inch Ubuntu Laptops

For most of the users out there, this is the most preferred screen size of laptops. By default, people tend to go for this size. This is the most comfortable screen size to work on.

There is an abundance of laptops in this screen size. A majority of the laptops ranging from budget to high-performance category are found to be in 15.6″ screen size.

There are high chances that your choice of best laptop for Ubuntu would be a 15.6″ laptop.

5. HP 15-ay018nr 15.6-Inch Laptop – Best Performance/Dollar Value

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This affordable laptop by HP is packed with all the features that you would need and with the best of quality. It has a 15.6-inch wide display with screen resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. This ensures that images are displayed clearly and in good colors.

Built in IPS panel gives wide viewing angles and enhances the experience. This laptop packs an Intel Core i7-6500U processor. This is a dual core processor with hyper threading enabled. It is a low voltage processor. Therefore it can ensure a much longer battery life.

The only drawback of this laptop is that it is ‘Certified Refurbished’. However, if you can look past that label, then it has the hardware that would have cost you easily a couple of hundred dollars more.

Ample storage is provided with 256 GB of SSD. Along with that, this laptop also offers the rare optical drive. Most of the brands are opting out the optical drives to maintain a thin profile.

This is a laptop that is less than an inch thick, yet at the same time manages to offer an optical drive. This is quite the achievement.

Along with that, it offers 8GB of memory that should be fair for all sorts for work on Ubuntu.

Specs at a glance: 15.6″ inch FHD, Intel Core i7-6500U, 8 GB DDR 3, 256 GB SSD, Intel HD

Pros

  • One of the best performance/dollar value thanks to the amazing discount.
  • Thin and light for a 15.6″ laptop.

Cons

  • Certified Refurbished label can put some people off.
  • Since this is a certified refurbished laptop, the warranty is limited to only 90 days.

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6. Acer Aspire E E5-575G-53VG Laptop – Our Recommended Best Laptop for Ubuntubest laptop for ubuntu

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This laptop has the tendency to top any of lists out there these days.

After all, it offers some of the best value in the market. It is for this reason, that for the short time that it has been in the market, it has already received more than a 1,000 reviews on Amazon.com alone.

This is a laptop that is built for performance at cheap. It offers Intel Core i5-6200U processor. This is entirely reasonable for a notebook that is less than $550. Along with that, it offers 8 GB of DDR 4 RAM and even a NVIDIA GeForce 940M graphics card.

To top it all up, this laptop not only offers a backlit keyboard but also promises a battery life that can last for 12 hours.

Specs at a glance: 15.6″ FHD, Intel Dual Core i5-6200U, NVIDIA GeForce 940MX, 8 GB DDR3 RAM, 256 GB SSD, 12 hours battery,

Pros

  • Dedicated graphics card along with a mid-end processor makes this an amazing deal.
  • Long battery life and slim design excellent for portability
  • Offers USB Type-C along with other latest features like DDR 4 RAM.

Cons

  • Not powerful enough to be cut out for heavier work.

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7. Dell 7559-2512BLK – Best High Performance Laptop for Ubuntu

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This is a relatively high-performance laptop, and for that reason, it is also quite expensive. However, if you are looking for the best laptop for Ubuntu, then you need to make a bit of investment.

If you are after a career in development, then considering spending on a quality laptop like this.

This particular laptop offers a high-performance Intel Core i7-6700HQ. Thi is a quad core processor with hyper threading enabled making it one of the most powerful for multimedia laptops.

On the downside, despite being a high-performance laptop, this laptop does not offer an SSD.

Along with that, it offers a decent hardware to go along including a powerful NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M graphics card.

The hardware is quite fantastic and worthy of being used in complex projects.

Not only does this best laptop for Ubuntu has a battery life of 10+hours, but it also has a slim profile.

Specs at a glance: 15.6 inch FHD, Intel Quad Core i7-6700HQ, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M, 8 GB DDR3 RAM, 1 TB + 8 GB HSSD, 10+ hours battery,

Pros

  • The i7-6700HQ is one of the fastest processors for laptops
  • Offers a great mid range graphics card that should be able to handle all kinds of gaming.

Cons

  • Although slim, it is a bit heavier compared to the rest of the laptops listed here.
  • Lack of an SSD can break the deal for some enthusiasts.

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17.3 inch Best Ubuntu Laptops

This is the screen size that is preferred by those who use their laptops as a workstation.

If you don’t move about much, then you will value these machines. 17.3 laptops offer better performance/dollar, but at the sacrifice of mobility and portability.

8. Acer Aspire 17.3 Full HD Laptop

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There are many 17.3 inch laptops in the market. In fact, if you are looking for a workstation machine, then it is better to go for 17.3″ laptops.

This is not the most powerful 17.3″ laptops, but it does have a great hardware at a reasonable price tag making it top of our list.

It boasts an Intel Core i5-7200U processor, 8 GB of DDR 4 RAM and 256 GB of SSD. These are the core requirements for any developer and programmer. A fast configuration like this should help you work seamlessly.

The only relative drawback, which is quite obvious, is that this laptop is thick and heavy. Plus it does not have a long battery life. So if you are looking for portability, this is not the wisest option.

Moreover, this laptop also manages to have a NVIDIA Geforce 940 MX graphics card. This is a mid-range graphics card that is capable of performing gaming at moderate graphics.

However, most importantly, you can use this graphics card for works that require graphical rendering or simulation.

Specs at a glance: 17.3 inch FHD, Intel Core i5-7200U, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 940M, 8 GB DDR4 RAM, 256 GB SSD

Pros

  • Large and comfortable screen.
  • Features the latest generation of hardware including 7th gen processors, DDR 4 RAM and SSD.
  • A dedicated graphics card enables gaming.

Cons

  • Heavier and thicker than most laptop. You will mostly be using it as a workstation.
  • The battery life is lacking. Therefore, this is not the most portable laptop.

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An Essential For Programmers and Developers

Although you can develop and program on any laptop and environment, i.e., Windows, Mac, or Linux, most of the professionals out there prefer Linux Ubuntu. Therefore, it is important you get familiar with this operating system.

Other than the various amount of tools Ubuntu provides, having the knowledge of using this OS makes your CV stand out from the rest. It tells the employer or the contractor that you know what you are talking about and that you can take your work seriously. Seriously enough to learn how to use an entirely new operating system.

Just a small fact,

The Ubuntu project is publicly committed to the principles of open-source software development; people are encouraged to use free software, study how it works, improve upon it, and distribute it. – Wikipedia

This goes to tell that programming and software development is at the heart of Ubuntu operating system.

All the applications and critical programs will be found in the Ubuntu software center. Ubuntu, being one of the most secure operating systems, is easy to download and install for use.

FAQ

Should I Buy an Ubuntu Laptop Instead of Windows?

There are many laptops that come pre-installed with Ubuntu Operating. An example of this includes Dell XPS Developer Edition, System 76 Oryx Pro, etc.

The idea behind this is that if you get a laptop with Ubuntu Pre-installed, you can save yourself from the hidden cost of a Genuine Windows.

However, we are of the opinion that you should always invest in a Windows laptop first and then install Ubuntu on it. Here is why:

  • Laptops that come pre-installed with Ubuntu cost always the same as compared to Windows. (A simple search in the market can reveal this to be true).
  • If you are new to Ubuntu, you will actually benefit from having Windows side-by-side.
  • Things that are not compatible with Ubuntu can be used on Windows.
  • If gaming is also on your list, then you must have Windows.

Should Ubuntu be the Linux OS of your Choice?

If you are starting out, then by far the majority of the opinion is with using Ubuntu or Mint. Mint is basically a version of Ubuntu Itself.

Ubuntu is one of the most powerful, well supported, stable, and compatible Linux OS in the market. Therefore, this should be your starting choice.

Resources

How to Install Ubuntu On Windows Laptop

How to Install Ubuntu On Macbook

The post Best Laptop for Ubuntu 2017 | (Updated May 2017) appeared first on Laptop for Programming.

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