The top seven Linux distributions for laptops

2 years ago

William Carter

7 minutes

If you’re searching for the top Linux distributions for your laptops, search no more. Many people believe that Linux-based distributions are mainly designed for servers and high-end cloud devices, but the truth is Linux is an ideal option for running your laptop on a daily basis. You could even argue that Linux distributions are superior for laptops as they efficiently utilize hardware and can even be installed on older laptops!

Take a look at a list of 10 reasons highlighting why Linux outshines Windows.

Top Picks for Linux Distributions on Laptops

In this module, we will examine various distributions that are particularly compatible with laptops, allowing you to select the most suitable option for your needs.

Ubuntu is the top choice among all Linux distributions for laptops.

Ubuntu is renowned for its adaptability among Linux distributions, boasting a thriving community and enduring support. It remains highly sought-after by beginners and moderate users, owing to its extensive range of software utilities. While Unity serves as the default desktop environment for Ubuntu, there are alternative versions available, including Lubuntu (built on LXDE/LXQT), Xubuntu (utilizing the XFCE desktop environment), and Kubuntu (highlighting KDE Plasma).

To run Ubuntu, the necessary system requirements are:

2 GHz dual-core processor
4 GiB RAM (system memory)
25 GB of hard-drive space (or USB stick, memory card, or external drive but see LiveCD for an alternative approach)

To operate Xubuntu, you must meet the necessary system requirements.

1.5 GHz Dual Core processor
At least 2 GB of memory. However, it can run on as low as 512 MB of RAM
8 GB of free space

To run Lubuntu, the necessary specifications for your system are:

A Pentium II or Celeron system or Equivalent
128 MB of RAM. However it is recommended to have atleast 1 GB of RAM.
8 GB of free space is recommended

To run Kubuntu, you need to meet the system requirements.

1 GHz processor
512 MB of system memory (RAM)
8 GB of free disk space

2. Pop!_OS is considered one of the top Linux distributions for programmers and engineers.

When considering laptop operating systems, it would be remiss to overlook Pop!_OS, created by System 76 and built upon Ubuntu. Its exceptional offerings and added functionalities make it stand out, enabling access to some truly impressive features.

Auto Tiling
Separate Workspaces
Stacking Windows
Much More

Paraphrase: Pop!_OS is an exceptional choice for programmers and engineers. It includes numerous pre-installed tools that greatly assist in development and coding. It comes with the GNOME Desktop Environment and offers two built-in themes: Light and Dark. What’s more, it is conveniently available as an LTS Release!

PopOS! system requirements include:

64-bit x86 architecture CPUs
2 GB of RAM is required but 4 GB of RAM is recommended
20 GB of storage is recommended.

Linux Mint is the most user-friendly Linux distribution to switch from Windows.

Linux Mint Best Linux Distros For Laptops

If you’ve recently transitioned from Windows and are seeking user-friendly Linux distros, Linux Mint could be the ideal choice for you. It is a relatively lightweight Linux distribution that bears a resemblance to Windows in terms of its appearance. Furthermore, it offers various feature-rich applications such as multimedia support and timeshift. Linux Mint is available in three primary versions.

Cinnamon
MATE
XFCE

Linux Mint is derived from Ubuntu and offers distinctive features such as Warpinator, which is a user-friendly tool for sharing files with others on a local network. Additionally, Linux Mint offers a version known as Linux Mint Debian Edition (LMDE), which is based on Debian.

Linux Mint requires certain system specifications to function properly.

512 MB of RAM is the minimum requirement whereas the recommended amount is at least 1 GB.
A minimum of 5 GB disk space but it is recommended to have at least 20 GB of free space.

Elementary OS is deemed as the most aesthetically pleasing Linux distribution for laptops.

Elementary OS Best Linux Distros For Laptops

Elementary OS stands out as an exceptionally attractive Operating System as it features the custom-designed Pantheon Desktop Environment that closely resembles the aesthetic and user experience of Mac OS. This makes it an excellent choice for individuals transitioning from Mac.

Ubuntu-based, it is highly favored for laptops due to its inclusion of a wide range of essential drivers, especially for older models.

This distro is extremely lightweight and includes essential packages such as a browser and email client. Additionally, you have access to a diverse range of applications that you can download from its app store.

The specifications needed for Elementary OS are as follows:

Intel i3 or equivalent dual-core 64-bit CPU
4GB of RAM
15GB of storage, preferably an SSD

Manjaro, a Linux distribution designed for laptops, is built upon the Arch platform.

Manjaro, being an Arch-based Linux distribution, is highly recommended as your primary operating system. Its popularity stems from its exceptional feature, Manjaro Hardware Detection, which effortlessly identifies your hardware and automatically installs the necessary drivers.

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Additionally, it offers the opportunity to experience the Arch environment without enduring the challenges of Arch Installation. Its impressive stability, in contrast to Arch Linux, makes it particularly well-suited as a Desktop driver.

Manjaro is officially available in these variants.

XFCE
KDE Plasma
GNOME

Additionally, community releases also provide support.

Awesome
Bspwm
Budgie
Cinnamon
i3
LXDE
LXQT
MATE
Openbox

While the specific system requirements differ significantly between different versions, the suggested ones are:

1 GHz or better CPU
1 GB of RAM
30 GB hard drive space

Garuda Linux is the most visually appealing Linux distribution for laptops.

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Garuda Linux stands out as one of the most visually appealing Linux distributions available, specifically designed for desktop and laptop users. Featuring the highly regarded Zen kernel, it brings exceptional performance to desktops and laptops. Additionally, it utilizes the BTRFS file system by default and offers convenient automatic snapshots through Timeshift. Despite its foundation on Arch Linux, Garuda Linux provides abundant graphical user interface (GUI) support. This means users can effortlessly install applications, change kernels, manage drivers, and customize GRUB settings, all through GUI options, distinguishing it from most other distributions that rely on the command line interface.

Additionally, Garuda Linux boasts a crucial aspect of being specifically designed for gaming. The Garuda Gamer GUI offers a seamless installation process for an extensive range of games and emulators, enhancing the overall experience. In summary, Garuda Linux combines a visually appealing desktop with a multitude of features, all while preserving the advantages of Arch.

The available options for Garuda Linux are the following versions:

Garuda KDE Dr460nized (based on KDE Plasma)
Garuda KDE Multimedia
Garuda Xfce
Garuda Linux GNOME
Garuda LXQT-Kwin
Garuda Cinnamon
Garuda Mate
Garuda Wayfire
Garuda Qtile
Garuda BSPWM
Garuda i3WM
Garuda Linux Recbox
Garuda Linux Barebones

To run Gardua Linux, the necessary system specifications are as follows:

30 GB is the minimum storage space required whereas 40GB is recommended
4 GB of RAM is required but the optimal amount is 8 GB
64-bit System
Video card with OpenGL 3.3 or better

OpenSUSE is a Linux distribution specially designed for IT professionals.

If you are an advanced user, an IT expert, a system administrator, or a programmer, this Linux distribution is perfect for your laptop! It needs minimal setup after installation and includes various specialized tools such as OBS (Open Build Service), openQA, and Kiwi. Although it is primarily intended for tech-savvy individuals, it can also be customized for everyday desktop usage with the help of YaST. YaST is a comprehensive system configuration and installation tool which makes the distribution more user-friendly for those who prefer not to use the terminal.

OpenSUSE is equipped with numerous drivers suitable for both new and old laptops. Unlike the other distributions mentioned, it is available in only two options:

Tumbleweed
Leap

The system specifications needed for OpenSUSE are:

Pentium 4 1.6 GHz or AMD equivalent CPU
1GB of RAM (2GB recommended)
3GB of storage (5GB recommended)

In conclusion, to put it simply or ultimately,

These Linux distributions were ideal for laptops. There are numerous others available including ZorinOS, MX Linux, RebornOS, and more. We strongly recommend experimenting with them before finalizing your preferred distribution.