I think I read that Dell and Lenovo tend to have the least amount of issues with Linux. I need to get a new laptop and I have been looking at Dell XPS and Lenovo ThinkPads with the new Intel Panther Lake or AMD Gorgon Point SoCs. I will get it with Windows as that’s how the laptop is sold. However, I will want to install something like Fedora or Pop!_OS at some point. Will it be easy for me to just put either Linux distribution on a USB drive, boot from it, and install it without any issues like drivers and software compatibility?
1 Like
System76, NovaCustom, Frame.Work, Tuxedo Computers are all great options.
My next laptop is likely going to be System76 Pangolin 16. It has great specs.
6 Likes
I can’t speak to the newer Lenovo Thinkpads but my old T470s runs like a dream with Fedora Workstation. I had Windoze on there long enough to create the bootable USB.
3 Likes
I have a friend that uses a HP EliteBook with Fedora everything worked out the box.
Honestly, most laptops would work with lille to no issues.
2 Likes
All the drivers installed automatically, and nothing else to do to get it working once it boots to the desktop?
1 Like
The vast majority of drivers are shipped with distro kernels on Linux anyway.
3 Likes
Everything worked. Once the install was done, it was just tweaking the OS to my personal taste and installing apps. I had Mint installed for a little while and everything appeared to work as well.
2 Likes
I had no idea! Total newbie here that wants to try and learn Linux after using Windows since I was in preschool. Started playing with Mac during COVID.
1 Like
Yes, but you likely have to deal with UEFI Secure Boot at some point or another.
Framework works great out of the box: https://frame.work/nl/en/laptop13?tab=linux
Not sure if we can call it OEM tho. 
1 Like
Responding to your title, I am not aware of any consumer market computers (other than Mac) have worse windows compatibility than linux.
1 Like
Just don’t. See
2 Likes
Key is to also threat model. Just saying just don’t doesn’t really help for most people out there.
1 Like
This topic is about OEM compatibility with Linux, not laptop hardware security, which is a different subject entirely.
1 Like
We are on a privacy and security related forum and you don’t expect answers to take that into account?
5 Likes
Just redefine your threat model to justify using products with subpar security. Guess what, threats don’t suddenly go away.
3 Likes
I was more hoping that you may have further OEM additions to suggest to explicitly answer the OP’s question(s). I have no expectations other than for myself to stay on topic.
It seems you have a skewed understanding of even how to think about this. But that’s just my opinion. Everyone should do what they think is right for them after their due diligence on the matter, as best as they can.
1 Like
The vast majority of laptops work with Linux out-of-the-box. I haven’t even researched Linux compatibility anymore in a long time, when buying a new laptop, as long as it is not some niche product. Would recommend to get a recent Lenovo or Dell laptop from their business lines, especially recommended are laptops with Microsoft Secured-Core certification.
2 Likes
Other OEMs not explicitly listed in this topic that are compatible with Linux:
- Nitrokey
- Purism
- Star Labs