- Best Linux desktop for 2021: Which one should you buy?
- System76 Thelio
- Lenovo ThinkStation P620
- ThinkPenguin Pro 12 GNU/Linux Desktop
- MintBox Mini 2 Pro
- Brutus 5000
- System76 Thelio
- Lenovo ThinkStation P620
- ThinkPenguin Pro 12 GNU/Linux Desktop
- MintBox Mini 2 Pro
- Brutus 5000
- Subscribe to the Daily Tech Insider Newsletter
- Best Linux Desktop Computers in 2023
- 1. System76 Thelio
- 2. Minis Forum EliteMini UM700
- 3. Lenovo ThinkStation P620
- 4. Dell Precision T5820 Workstation
- 5. Dell OptiPlex 3000 Micro
- Conclusion
- About the author
- Swapnil Tirthakar
Best Linux desktop for 2021: Which one should you buy?
If you’re looking for a desktop that runs Linux and is built by a company that understands Linux users’ needs and gives back to open source, check out these options.
System76 Thelio
Lenovo ThinkStation P620
ThinkPenguin Pro 12 GNU/Linux Desktop
MintBox Mini 2 Pro
Brutus 5000
Linux on the desktop is a thing to behold. It’s not only incredibly powerful and secure, but it’s also flexible enough to become exactly what the user needs. And although you can successfully run Linux on just about any type of desktop machine (running lightweight Linux distributions on older hardware), to really get the most out of modern-day variants, it’s best to have hardware up to the task.
Linux doesn’t require nearly the hardware needed to run Windows 11 or macOS, but why not give the open-source operating system extra power, so you can run more applications and services. So, why not send your money to companies that support open source in return?
Which desktops are best suited for the task? Let’s take a look at the five best options you have for 2021.
System76 Thelio
Truth be told, the System76 Thelio could take all five slots here. It’s that good. But not only is the Thelio desktop powerful enough to do anything you need, but it’s also a work of art. The designers have gone out of their way to create a desktop computer you do not want underneath your desk. You’ll want your Thelio sitting on top for everyone to see. Aesthetics aside, the Thelio is a beast of a machine. Even better, you can select which Thelio is best suited for the job at hand. You can go with the base Thelio (which includes AMD Ryzen CPUs, up to 64GB of RAM and 48TB of storage), the Thelio Mira (which includes Ryzen or Core CPUs, up to 128GB of RAM, up to two GPUs, and up to 56TB of storage), or the Thelio Major (which includes Threadripper or Core-X CPUs, up to 256GB of RAM, up to two GPUs, and up to 88TB of storage). The Thelio desktops have a unique cooling system, crafted specifically to keep the machines running very cool without any noticeable noise. These machines start at $1,199 (Thelio), $1,399 (Thelio Mira), and $2,999 (Thelio Major) and can be specced exactly as you need. Each machine ships with System76’s own Pop!_OS (based on Ubuntu) and is built such that everything works seamlessly and effortlessly. It also helps that System76 has an amazing support staff. So, should something go wrong, they’ll be there to help you.
Lenovo ThinkStation P620
Lenovo has been tossing in serious support for Linux and open source for a while now. Starting in 2020, the company began certifying its entire line (minus the IdeaPad) to run on Linux. This was huge, especially for any business that requires (or prefers) the support of a big company to back their products. Of the Lenovo Line, the ThinkStation P620 makes for an outstanding Linux workstation. The base machine ships with an AMD Ryzen Threadripper Pro 3945WX, 16GB of RAM, an NVIDIA Quadro P620 with 2GB of onboard memory, a 256GB M.2 Gen 4 PCIe SSE drive, and ships with Ubuntu 20.04. The base price of the P620 is $1,936.62, but you can shoot the cost to the moon by adding an AMD Ryzen Threadripper Pro 3995WX to add a whopping $10,675 to the base price. The ThinkStation includes a three-year, on-site warranty to ease your mind.
ThinkPenguin Pro 12 GNU/Linux Desktop
If you’re on more of a budget, you should consider the ThinkPenguin Pro 12. The base machine starts at only $549 and ships with an Intel 2-Core Celeron G5905, 8GB of RAM, a 256GB NVME SSE drive, and a one-year limited warranty. For video and audio, the machine includes a built-in Intel H470 Express chipset and a high-definition Realtek ALC887 chip. You can bump the Pro 12 up to an intel 10-Core i9-10900 CPU, 128 GB of RAM, and a 4TB NVME SSD and even purchase different support options (such as mail-in service, OS installs, networked peripherals, upgrades/repairs, OS media and phone support. The fully-specced machine can run up to $2,612.33 (without additional support options).
MintBox Mini 2 Pro
If you’re looking to pare down your desk, you might consider a tiny form-factor machine, such as the MintBox Mini 2 Pro. This device was created between Linux Mint and CompuLab. Its tiny case is all metal and passively cooled (so it’s completely silent). When you purchase a MintBox Mini 2 Pro, 5% of the proceeds go to Linux Mint. So if you’re looking for a way to help support the developers of Linux Mint, this is a great way to go. For $349, you get this tiny machine packed with a Quad-Core Intel Celeron J3455, 8GB of RAM, a 120GB M.2 SATA SSD, Intel 8260AC 802.11AC + BT 4.2, and Linux Mint 20. The Mini 2 Pro includes two USB ports, an HDMI port, a mini DP port and two RJ45 jacks. It might not be a powerhouse, but it can serve myriad purposes and will run like a champ for a very long time.
Brutus 5000
Created by Juno Computers, the Brutus 5000 is another small form factor machine, but one that allows you to customize the internals a bit. The base machine ships with an AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX with eight Cores, Radeon Vega integrated graphics, 16GB of RAM, a 256GB M.2 NVMe SSD and Ubuntu 20.04. The only options you can configure are RAM (up to 64GB) and storage (up to 2TB), which will bump the cost from $1,285 to $1,897. The Brutus 5000 includes two USB 2.0 ports, two USB 3.0 ports, one HDMI port, one DP port, two RJ45 jacks (2.5 and 1G), and a headphone jack. The chassis for the Brutus 5000 measures 5.87 inches x 5.71 inches x 1.57 inches. This is a great option for those looking to cut back on clutter, but need a bit more horsepower than what the MintBox Mini 2 Pro has to offer.
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Best Linux Desktop Computers in 2023
Linux is becoming a go-to operating system not only for corporate IT stacks but also for personal home users. Over the past decade, Linux has been slowly and steadily replacing Windows due to its popularity among programmers.
More and more popular computer hardware vendors are extending their support for Linux and its distros. Many vendors are manufacturing a computer assembly that is especially dedicated to Linux and while some vendors are shipping their PCs pre-installed with Linux.
In this article, we are going to introduce you to some of the best Linux desktop computers. The PCs that are listed here are either especially crafted for Linux or ship pre-installed with Linux.
1. System76 Thelio
Thelio is a specially crafted Linux PC for power users. It is a tailor-made system which comes with its own Linux distro like the Pop!_OS 22.04 LTS. But you can also opt for Ubuntu 22.04 LTS.
SPECIFICATIONS:
- Linux Distro: Pop!_OS 22.04 LTS or Ubuntu 22.04 LTS
- CPU: 12th or 13th Gen Intel or AMD Ryzen 5000 Series Processor
- RAM: Up to 64 GB DDR4 or DDR5 Memory
- Storage: Up to 36 TB, 1x M.2 PCIe Gen4 NVMe and 4 x 2.5″ SATA drives
- Ports: 1 x USB Type-C, 4x USB 3.2 Gen 1, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A (red), 2x USB 2.0/1.1, 1x RJ-45 port
You can customize Thelio to match your requirements with a variety of onboard options to choose from like Intel, Intel Advanced, and AMD. It is a compact sized personal computer which occupies as much desk space as a sheet of paper.
It is a highly customizable PC; you can always upgrade it whenever you need it. It also comes with new swappable color accent panels. You also get the option to bundle it with option System76 mechanical keyboard.
It is an extremely versatile computer which makes it an ideal PC for every type of user. Whether you are a programmer, power user, or a simple home user, Thelio from System76 is a great Linux PC to have.
2. Minis Forum EliteMini UM700
EliteMini UM700 from Minis Forum ships-in with a pre-installed Manjaro Linux. Manjaro Linux is a user-friendly Linux distribution based on Arch Linux operating system.
SPECIFICATIONS:
- Linux Distro: Manjaro OS Plasma Gamer Edition
- CPU: Radeon RX Vega 10 Graphics
- RAM: Up to 64 GB DDR4 Memory
- Storage: Up to 2 TB NVMe SSD
- Ports: 1 x USB 3.0, 3 x USB 3.1, and 1 x USB-C Ports
Manjaro Linux which is installed on this desktop is a rolling release distro. You will always have the latest version of kernel installed on your system.
This desktop is fast and reliable enough to handle three monitors at a time. On top of that, the choice of ports available on this desktop is quite amazing and useful for every type of user.
It also ships-in with some of the very useful pre-installed apps such as Firefox, Okular PDF, VLC Media Player, LibreOffice, Steam, and Skype.
A great Linux desktop to have for every type of user.
3. Lenovo ThinkStation P620
Lenovo ThinkStation P620 is a powerful desktop which can be used by any type of user. This desktop is listed on Amazon with Windows 11 Pro but you can replace it with any Linux distribution that you want.
SPECIFICATIONS:
- CPU: AMD Ryzen Threadripper Pro Dodeca-Core 5945WX 4.10GHz
- RAM: Up to 32 GB DDR4 Memory
- Storage: 1 TB NVMe SSD
- Ports: 2 x USB-C 3.2 Type C, 2 x USB-C 3.2 Type A, 6 x USB 3.2 Type A
It is a great desktop for programmers and developers. It offers faster software builds, thanks to its top-notch sixteen cores CPU. It is a highly customizable PC and comes with superb internal design.
Lenovo offers this desktop with various configurations, the cheapest one comes with 256 GB SSD and the most expensive one comes with 1 TB SSD. Depending on the Integrated Development Environment that you use, it will be easier for you to choose the correct configuration.
4. Dell Precision T5820 Workstation
T5820 workstation from Dell is one of the best Linux PC out there with much customization it offers. You can choose the graphics as well as the storage that you want at the time of purchase.
SPECIFICATIONS:
- Linux Distro: Ubuntu 20.04 LTS
- CPU: Intel Xeon W-2123 6-Core 3.60GHz Processor
- RAM: Up to 64 GB DDR4 Memory
- Storage: 1 TB NVMe PCIe SSD, 2 TB 7200RPM HDD
- Ports: 2 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type A, 2 x USB 3.1 Gen 1
Dell is one of the first vendors to provide the support for Linux and it makes great progress by doing that. But it is not that easy to find a Dell desktop which is pre-installed with Linux like Dell laptops.
But Dell doesn’t stop you from installing a Linux distro on their desktop. You can buy a suitable desktop with pre-installed Windows but you can always replace it with any Linux distro that you like.
This workstation is great for developers and programmers since it is a powerhouse of a desktop.
5. Dell OptiPlex 3000 Micro
OptiPlex 3000 Micro series from Dell is one of the best with Linux onboard and is cheaper, too. It is a great system with room for expansion to match every type of the user’s needs.
SPECIFICATIONS:
- Linux Distro: Ubuntu 20.04 LTS
- CPU: 12 th Gen Intel Core i3 Processor
- RAM: Up to 16 GB DDR4 Memory
- Storage: 256 GB NVMe PCIe SSD Class 35
- Ports: 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type A
It is quite an affordable desktop with stable version of Ubuntu LTS onboard. If you have a tight budget but still wants a reliable Linux desktop, you can definitely go for this.
If you purchase it from Dell’s website, you can configure this as much as you need. Personally, I am a big fan of the quality of hardware which is offered by Dell in its system.
Conclusion
These are the best Linux desktop that you can buy in 2023. Some of the desktops that are listed here do not ship with pre-installed Linux but you can install any Linux distro alongside Windows or by replacing Windows.
About the author
Swapnil Tirthakar
A Software Engineer who loves football and passionate about traveling. I often spend my free time playing with gadgets and exploring new possibilities in tech world. I am Linux enthusiast and have about 6 years of experience in web development. I have good command on Python, Java, SQL and system security.