Best of Linux

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.

Buy System76 Thelio

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.

Buy EliteMini UM700

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.

Buy on Amazon

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.

Buy on Amazon

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: 12th 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.