Linux Ready to Go
The Consumer Guide to Preinstalled Linux
Lead image © tapati
In recent years preinstalled Linux has become widely available; the question now is where to buy.
Just over a decade ago, buying computer hardware for Linux was an exercise in patience. Preinstalled Linux was obscure or nonexistent, and every piece of hardware required intensive research online before being purchased. Databases maintained by volunteers sometimes made the research easier, but often the only guidance was scattered pieces of conventional wisdom that might not be reliable. Happily, in 2023, preinstalled Linux is widely available, but you still need to consider the options carefully. Basically, preinstalled Linux comes in three categories: computers from standard manufacturers, those from Linux specialists, and – the most recent – those from Linux specialists who support software freedom. What follows is a sampling of potential choices in each category. It is by no means complete, but gives some idea of the available choices.
Computers From Standard Manufacturers
This category consists of corporate giants. Such companies make most of their sales from Windows computers, but popular demand has made them pay some attention to Linux – a development that seemed impossible 15 years ago. However, the computer market was saturated long ago, and today no possible angle can be ignored. Preinstalled Linux is only a small part of the giants' businesses, often confined to obscure corners of their websites, but they are definitely gearing up.
[...]
Buy Linux Magazine
US / Canada
UK / Australia
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
OpenMandriva Lx 6.0 Available for Installation
The latest release of OpenMandriva has arrived with a new kernel, an updated Plasma desktop, and a server edition.
-
TrueNAS 25.04 Arrives with Thousands of Changes
One of the most popular Linux-based NAS solutions has rolled out the latest edition, based on Ubuntu 25.04.
-
Fedora 42 Available with Two New Spins
The latest release from the Fedora Project includes the usual updates, a new kernel, an official KDE Plasma spin, and a new System76 spin.
-
So Long, ArcoLinux
The ArcoLinux distribution is the latest Linux distribution to shut down.
-
What Open Source Pros Look for in a Job Role
Learn what professionals in technical and non-technical roles say is most important when seeking a new position.
-
Asahi Linux Runs into Issues with M4 Support
Due to Apple Silicon changes, the Asahi Linux project is at odds with adding support for the M4 chips.
-
Plasma 6.3.4 Now Available
Although not a major release, Plasma 6.3.4 does fix some bugs and offer a subtle change for the Plasma sidebar.
-
Linux Kernel 6.15 First Release Candidate Now Available
Linux Torvalds has announced that the release candidate for the final release of the Linux 6.15 series is now available.
-
Akamai Will Host kernel.org
The organization dedicated to cloud-based solutions has agreed to host kernel.org to deliver long-term stability for the development team.
-
Linux Kernel 6.14 Released
The latest Linux kernel has arrived with extra Rust support and more.