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How to pick
This is the shortest page on the site and that is the honest answer rather than an oversight. Nearly all hardware works with Linux now without anyone thinking about it, so there is very little to specifically recommend. The handful of places it still bites: Wi-Fi adapters, where some chipsets still need messing about with, so prefer one that explicitly states Linux support or just use a cable. Very new laptops, where support for the newest hardware can lag the release by six months or so, which makes last year's model the safer buy. And NVIDIA graphics, which work but have historically been more awkward than AMD on Linux, so AMD is the quieter life if you have the choice. Beyond that, buy whatever you would buy anyway. If you are looking for a machine to put Linux on, an older business laptop is usually the best value there is.
What I recommend
USB flash drive
You need one to write the installer to. Anything from 8GB up does the job and any decent brand is fine. Worth keeping one around afterwards for rescuing machines that will not start.
- Size
- 8GB or more
- Use
- Writing the installer
- Keep it
- Handy for rescuing machines
- Brand
- Any decent one
Wi-Fi adapter with stated Linux support
Most things work now, but wireless is where you can still lose an evening. Look for an adapter that explicitly says it supports Linux, or sidestep it entirely with an ethernet cable, which always works.
- Look for
- Linux support stated explicitly
- Alternative
- An ethernet cable always works
- Avoid
- Unbranded adapters
- Why
- Wireless is where Linux still bites
Mini PC
Small, quiet, cheap to run, and generally very well behaved with Linux. Makes a good home server or a second machine. Prefer AMD graphics over NVIDIA for an easier time, and check the model has been used with Linux by other people before you commit.
- Graphics
- AMD is the quieter life
- Memory
- 16GB
- Check
- Others have run Linux on that model
- Good for
- A home server or second machine
Related reading
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