Linux/BSD Compatible Hardware

Some of the most common questions we encounter regarding Linux and BSD revolve around where people can purchase hardware that is compatible with open source operating systems. These days Linux will run on a majority of machines, but since most retailers do not sell open source operating systems pre-installed, it can be hard to know for certain what new laptop or desktop computer will work out of the box with our favourite operating systems.

This page provides a list of places where people can go to purchase computer hardware that is compatible with Linux and BSD. Plus we provide links to places where people can purchase GNU/Linux phones and tablets. We also link to databases where people can search for individual pieces of computer hardware that are known to work with open source operating systems.

Organizations which sell computers with Linux/BSD pre-installed

• CompuLab. CompuLab sells the mintBox series of computers with Linux Mint installed on them.
  
  
• Dell. Dell sells a range of developer laptops with Ubuntu pre-installed.
  
  
• EmperorLinux. EmperorLinux sells laptop computers with a Linux pre-installed. A variety of Linux distributions are supported.
  
  
• Entroware. Entroware specialises in providing Ubuntu Linux based computing solutions and services for their clients requirements. They have a range of Ubuntu powered desktops, laptops, and servers.
  
  
• FreedomBox Foundation. The FreedomBox Foundation, in partnership with Olimex, sells ARM-powered home servers with the Debian-based FreedomBox distribution pre-installed.
  
  
• iXsystems. iXsystems sells workstations, servers and NAS devices with FreeBSD, PC-BSD and FreeNAS pre-installed.
  
  
• Juno Computers. Juno Computers is a retailer in the United Kingdom and the United States of America which sells computers with Ubuntu pre-installed.
  
  
• Kubuntu Focus. Kubuntu Focus sells laptops and mini computers which ship with Kubuntu LTS releases.
  
  
• Laptop With Linux. Laptop with Linux is a company in the Netherlands which sells laptops and mini PCs with a variety of Linux distributions pre-installed. Available distributions include Fedora, Ubuntu, Linux Mint, elementary OS, and Kali Linux. Devices can be shipped anywhere within the European Union.
  
  
• Los Alamos Computers. Los Alamos Computers sells Linux workstation and laptop computers and will install the Linux distribution of the customer's choice.
  
  
• Purism. Purism sells laptops with Debian (Testing) pre-installed. According to the Purism website, their laptops are built using free and open source components exclusively.
  
  
• System76. System76 sells laptops, desktop and servers with Ubuntu pre-installed.
  
  
• Slimbook. Slimbook is a Spanish company which sells laptop computers with a variety of supported operating systems, including several Linux distributions.
  
  
• Star Labs. Star Labs is a company based in the United Kingdom which sells laptops with Linux pre-installed.
  
  
• ThinkPenguin. ThinkPenguin sells computers and hardware components which will work with free and open source drivers. ThinkPenguin pre-installs a Linux distribution of the buyer's choice on the computers they sell.
  
  
• Tuxedo Computers. Tuxedo Computers is a German company which sells desktop and notebook computers whch are compatible with Linux. The keyboards appear to use a German layout.
  
  

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Phones and tablets

• iode. iode is a project which sells a de-Googled version of Android pre-installed on phones. The iode operating system is based on on LineageOS and can be purchased throughout Europe.
  
  
• Murena. The Murena project provides a de-Googled version of Android (based on LineageOS) which includes open source alternatives to Google apps and privacy-focused utilities. Murena's /e/OS operating system can be installed on many existing Android devices or purchased pre-installed on supported devices.
  
  
• UBports. The UBports website provides a list of smart phones known to work (or partially work) with Ubuntu Touch. UBports also provides installation instructions for people who wish to install Ubuntu Touch on their Android phone.
  
  

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Databases of compatible hardware

• Linux Mint Community maintains a user-maintained database of compatible hardware.
  
  
• DragonFly BSD wiki provides a list of compatible laptops which work with the operating system.
  
  
• FreeBSD Laptop wiki provides a compatiiblity matrix for common laptops.
  
  
• h-node provides visitors with a database of hardware which will work with free software Linux distributions.
  
  
• Hardware Compatibility Catalogue is a user-driven database of compatible desktop computers, phones and servers.
  
  
• Haiku forum thread lists computers and their compatibility with the Haiku operating system.
  
  
• Linux Hardware provides technical results of hardware probed by Linux systems.
  
  
• Linux Lite's database offers a list of hardware which has been able to boot the Linux Lite distribution.
  
  
• openSUSE's wiki provides a list of hardware compatible with the distribution.
  
  
• Printers compatible with Linux database.
  
  
• ROSA Hardware DB maintains a database of technical results from hardware probed by ROSA Linux.
  
  
• Ubuntu's website maintains a list of hardware which has been certified to work with the distribution.