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Top 10 Best Linux Distros for Laptops, Both Old and New 2021

Patrick Walton

Laptop computers are a very useful tool for persons who travel frequently and frequently find themselves working while on the road. In most circumstances, a standard all-purpose laptop will suffice, but certain occupations necessitate the use of a more specialized computer. Having decent hardware is beneficial regardless of the type of work you do; nevertheless, software should not be disregarded. Particularly the operating system. With that in mind, we’ll look at the best Linux distro for laptops 2021 in this post.

However, why Linux? There are several good reasons for this, some of which we’ll go over in more detail later, but the simple answer is that best linux distro for laptops 2021 is just more flexible and versatile than any other operating system. There are hundreds of distributions to pick from, many of which are tailored to certain tasks including as programming, web development, and system administration. There are further distributions for beginners, distributions for gamers, and even distributions for children.

Because individuals use laptops for a variety of purposes, we’ve included a diverse set of distros on this list to ensure that there’s something for everyone. It’s important to remember that laptop hardware isn’t as easily changeable as desktop hardware. So, before you attempt to install a specific distro, ensure that your machine is capable of handling the system requirements. To make things easier for you, we’ve included them under each distribution. With that out of the way, let’s get started.

1. MX Linux

MX Linux is an underappreciated best linux distro for laptops 2021 that has a lot to offer and is easy to use for people of all skill levels. MX Linux is the result of a collaborative effort that combines antiX Linux and MEPIS. Over the past many years, the communities of both distros have worked together to bring the MX Linux project to life, and the results have been rather amazing.

MX Linux is a Debian Stable-based midweight operating system with Xfce4 as its primary desktop environment.
Xfce IDEs are known for emphasizing functionality over aesthetics, but this one isn’t half bad. The UI is entirely customisable and simple to grasp, especially if you’re coming from Windows. In that vein, the taskbar and MX Tools, which are quite similar to the Windows Control Panel, should help you feel perfectly at home if you’re transferring from Microsoft’s operating system.

MX Linux uses the highly intuitive antiX Control Center and provides a slew of handy programs that come pre-installed to make things even easier for novices. You may always obtain more software packages from the repository. You have a lot of alternatives when it comes to installing these packages. You can use either the CLI APT-based package manager or Synaptic to download and install them. It’s also worth noting that MX Linux includes a ton of wonderful choices for live booting, so if you want to bring your operating system with you wherever you go, you’ll love this distro.

System requirements are as follows:

MX-19.2, the most recent stable version.

3 . OpenSUSE

OpenSUSE is yet another best linux distro for laptops 2021 that is largely aimed at developers and IT professionals. It, like many other distributions, can be transformed into an all-purpose operating system, although developers and system administrators will benefit the most from it. This is due to the fact that OpenSUSE has a plethora of specialized tools such as OBS (Open Build Service), openQA, and Kiwi. There’s also YaST, a fairly thorough system setup and installation tool that makes the distro more accessible to those who don’t like working with terminals.

The OpenSUSE developers worked hard to guarantee that the distribution may be used right away with little to no configuration. Regardless matter whether you have a new or old laptop, there is rarely a need to install any drivers. This makes it ideal for circumstances in which you need to install a new operating system but do not have internet connection. And, because this is a modern, well-maintained distribution with superb support for aging hardware, you can bet it’ll operate nicely on pretty much every laptop released in the last 10-15 years.

Unlike most of the other distros discussed in this post, OpenSUSE does not have a plethora of versions to select from. Leap and Tumbleweed are the only two. If you want to be cautious, we recommend going with Leap, which has regular updates and is the more stable of the two. Tumbleweed, on the other hand, has all of the latest features from upstream and isn’t doing too badly in terms of stability. Another way to look at it is that Tumbleweed was created for power users and developers, whereas Leap was created for a more casual audience.

System requirements are as follows:

15.1 is the latest stable version.

3 . Elementary OS

Some folks simply want an efficient and feature-rich Linux laptop distribution with a non-obtrusive desktop environment. Others seek out distros with a lot of lights and whistles to enchant the eye. Elementary OS is the outcome of a group of developers’ decision to create a distribution that does both. Elementary is often regarded as one of the best-looking Linux distros for laptops available today, and it’s simple to see why. The operating system has a one-of-a-kind desktop environment known as Pantheon, which looks really stunning.

However, Elementary OS isn’t all show and no substance. This robust operating system can help you get the most out of your laptop and is more than capable of handling any task you throw at it. While Elementary is primarily aimed at newcomers, particularly those transitioning from macOS, it is also a fantastic choice for Linux veterans looking for a distro that can be used for coding, design, or any other work-related reason. Because Elementary OS is lightweight in comparison to other distros, it may be installed on a variety of older laptops.

One of the reasons Elementary is a suitable fit for laptop users is that it includes most of the drivers routinely used by laptops, including older models. That’s quite handy because it can be difficult to obtain drivers from the internet while traveling with your laptop. On the other hand, the distribution doesn’t come with many pre-installed software, though it does include most of the essentials, such as a browser and email client. Still, it’s usually a good idea to visit the AppCenter and load up on all the software you’ll need before venturing out.

System requirements are as follows:

Version 5.1 is the most recent stable release.

4 . Lubuntu

You definitely won’t be able to install a reasonably demanding distro like Ubuntu on an older laptop, but you can install a lightweight version instead. While there are several alternatives, like the aforementioned Linux Lite, none comes near to the original as Lubuntu. This lightweight distro compresses everything we love about Ubuntu into a smaller package while also removing some of the non-essentials. As a result, an Ubuntu spin-off that looks and works nearly identical to the original but requires significantly fewer resources has been created.

One of the most striking aspects of Lubuntu is its ability to be lightweight without losing usability. This is a typical operating system that comes pre-installed with all of the tools and programs you’d expect. This includes multimedia players, office apps, a PDF reader, an image editor, a web browser, and many more things. Of course, if you ever require additional apps, you can simply browse the user-friendly Software Center. Lubuntu also supports the Ubuntu repository, so finding additional software packages will be a breeze.

In terms of user interface, you’ll be pleased to find that Lubuntu is one of the best linux distro for laptops 2021 . And it does it without relying on a resource-intensive desktop interface like Gnome 3, which is a standard feature of conventional Ubuntu. Instead, Lubuntu chose a lightweight LXqt-based IDE with the Arc theme and Papyrus icons for a simplified and modern appearance. Even better, in terms of functionality, this desktop environment is very similar to Windows, so you should have no trouble adjusting to it if you’re already familiar with Microsoft’s operating system.

System requirements are as follows:

Version 20.04 is the most recent stable version.

5 . Sugar

This may appear to be an unusual choice, but laptop users come in many shapes and sizes, so it would have been a shame not to include at least one distro for youngsters on this list. Sugar is more of a desktop environment than a full-fledged distro, but we think it’s worth mentioning because it’s so handy. Sugar was created in the mid-2000s as part of the non-profit One Laptop per Child (OLPC) program, which aims to revolutionize education for children worldwide.

One of the program’s key goals was to construct low-cost laptops, as well as a software learning platform to go with them. Sugar was the name given to this platform. Sugar has an appealing and reasonably simple user interface, as well as a profusion of apps and games known as “Activities.” Many of these activities are intended to help youngsters practice skills such as reading, writing, and counting, while others are simple games such as Turtle in a Pond or Maze Web.

One of the best things about Sugar is that it can be installed on almost any device. Sugar is the default user interface on OLPC notebooks, although it may also be installed on Fedora, Ubuntu, Debian, and other Linux distributions. There’s also a live version called Sugar on a Stick that can be loaded and booted directly from a thumb drive, as well as an online counterpart called Sugarizer. Because the online version is still in its early phases of development, we recommend obtaining Sugar on a Stick instead if you need a wonderful educational platform for your child but don’t want to interfere with your current distribution.

System requirements are as follows:

The latest stable version is 0.116.

6. CentOS

CentOS is another distro that is largely geared at coders and system administrators, making it an ideal choice for professional use. That’s not to say that casual users should avoid it, but if that’s what you’re looking for, there are more user-friendly solutions on our list. CentOS is a technical operating system that is intended to be used in conjunction with the YUM command-line package manager. If you’re not familiar with terminal commands but still want to use CentOS, you can make YUM easier on the eyes by adding a graphical user interface on top.

CentOS is based on the well-known Red Hat Enterprise Linux, however unlike RHEL, it is not a commercial distribution. Given that it’s free, it’s no wonder that CentOS isn’t quite as strong as RHEL, at least not in its base version. CentOS, on the other hand, is open-source software that may be customized to your satisfaction. This implies that if you know what you’re doing, you can tweak CentOS to attain the same level of functionality as RHEL, especially because the distro has a lot of support from both the developers and a very dedicated community.

If you are not the type of person who enjoys tinkering with software, you can just download one of the two main versions of CentOS and use it as is. Your first option is CentOS Linux, which prioritizes stability and provides regular updates. Then there’s CentOS Stream, a distribution with rolling releases and customizations targeted for customers who wish to have access to the most up-to-date technologies and tools.

System requirements are as follows:

Version 8.2.2004 is the most recent stable version.

7. Linux Lite

This one isn’t necessarily aimed at newer devices, but if you’re looking for a best linux for laptop , Linux Lite is an excellent option. To begin with, this is one of the lightest Linux distributions on the market that can yet give a standard user experience. That is, you get much more than a terminal and a few simple apps.
In fact, there’s a lot more. Linux Lite is a gateway operating system developed for people transitioning from previous versions of Windows such as XP or Windows 7.

Linux Lite is built on Ubuntu and is intended for usage at home, at work, for gaming, for educational purposes, and for anything else you can think of. This adaptability stems from the fact that the distribution comes with a plethora of applications. It also includes a firewall, proprietary applications, and a desktop experience that should be instantly familiar to Windows users. The Linux Lite developers did their best to ensure that customers have all they need when installing the operating system without having to download any additional applications.

Speaking of software, Linux Lite comes pre-installed with Microsoft Office and contains Mozilla Firefox, VLC media player, Skype, Spotify, Kodi, and a slew of other essential tools. If you’re a gamer, you’ll be pleased to know that Steam comes pre-installed with the distribution. Meanwhile, Dropbox and Thunderbird are also included, making it simple to check emails and transfer files to the cloud. Linux Lite may not be as glamorous as other distros, but despite its modest size, it is jam-packed with features.

System requirements are as follows:

Version 5.0 is the most recent stable release.

8. Linux Mint

If you’re looking for a best linux distro for beginners, you won’t find a better one than Mint. This is the go-to distribution for customers transitioning from Windows to Linux and looking for a user interface that looks and feels like the one they’re used to. Mint is a lightweight distribution that includes multimedia capabilities and a slew of useful applications right out of the box. It also includes some extremely useful tools such as Timeshift, systemD, and Flatpak, among many others.

Linux Mint is an Ubuntu-based operating system that comes in three editions. Cinnamon is the version that looks the best and contains the most interesting features. Though still in Beta at the time of writing, the upcoming release of Mint is expected to introduce some intriguing new features, including improved support for Nvidia GPUs. However, the most intriguing feature is Warpinator, a Giver-based utility that makes it simple to share files with other people on a local network. Cinnamon is the most similar to Windows of the three, but if you want something a little different, you can always try MATE or Xfce instead.

Although Linux Mint is well-known for taking a lot of inspiration from Ubuntu – and even improving in certain areas – the developers are also working on a Debian-based version. The goal of this version, known as LMDE (Linux Mint Debian Edition), is to ensure that Mint will continue to exist and get updates in the improbable event that Ubuntu goes away. LMDE is a good Linux distribution for laptops because it looks and behaves similarly to the standard editions. If you prefer a version of Mint that is based on Debian rather than Ubuntu, don’t hesitate to look at LMDE.

System requirements are as follows:

19.3 is the most recent stable version.

9. Ubuntu

Ubuntu need minimal introduction because it is one of the best linux distro for developers 2021 . Many current computers come pre-installed with Ubuntu, so you may already be familiar with this fantastic operating system.
If you haven’t already, now is the time to do it because Ubuntu comes in a variety of variants, each of which contains live disk images that allow you to use the operating system without installing it on your laptop. If you don’t know how to make a live DVD or USB, you can visit the official website, which has guidelines for both Windows and macOS users.

Because there are so many different versions of Ubuntu available, it might be difficult to pick the best one for your individual needs. If you want to make things easy for yourself, you can use the standard Ubuntu LTS (long-term support) version. This version is intended for desktop PCs and laptops, and it includes five years of free security and maintenance updates. If you want something a little different, you may install a version of Ubuntu that includes the Budgie or MATE desktop environments, both of which offer a classic and easy desktop experience.

Meanwhile, some varieties are more specialized, such as Ubuntu Studio, which is one of the best linux distro for developers 2021 . Then there’s Ubuntu Server, which is, in our opinion, the greatest and most dependable Linux distribution for server managers and IT professionals. Work does not necessitate the use of a specialized operating system? Not an issue. Instead, download Ubuntu GamePack and play hundreds upon thousands of video games on your Linux laptop. We could spend a few more hours discussing all of the Ubuntu variations available, but you get the idea — there’s a version for pretty much anything you can think of.

System requirements are as follows:

20.04 LTS is the most recent stable version.

10. Manjaro

Manjaro is an best linux distro for laptops 2021. The Hardware Detection Tool is one of the most significant. This is a tool that, as the name implies, recognizes every piece of hardware installed to your computer and automatically downloads drivers for it, providing you’re connected to the internet. The application is especially useful for desktop users who are frequently replacing components, but it is useful regardless of the type of computer you use because it saves you the hassle of manually seeking up drivers.

Another significant benefit of Manjaro is that it is based on Arch Linux. While Arch-based distributions are typically intended for coders, this is not always the case. The Architect edition of Manjaro is intended for programmers and developers, however there are three all-purpose versions available. You have Xfce for a fast and lightweight desktop, Gnome for a modern yet simple appearance, and KDE Plasma for a very flexible and showy distribution. There are also a slew of other community-driven versions that provide you access to even more desktop environments. You’re obviously spoiled for options in this town.

If you know what you’re doing, we highly recommend trying out the Architect version, which allows you to select the kernel, desktop environment, Manjaro branch, and much more. In other words, you can totally tailor your operating system to meet the hardware of your laptop. If you’re looking for a beginner-friendly distribution, you should definitely stick with Gnome or community-driven editions like Cinnamon or MATE.

System requirements are as follows:

20.0.3 (latest stable version)

Why Should You Use Linux on Your Laptop?

People used to buy laptops primarily for their convenience, as most of them were not nearly as powerful as the desktop computers available at the time. While convenience is still an important consideration to consider when purchasing a laptop, nowadays you can acquire one that is just as powerful, if not more capable, than most PCs, and for a similar price. Sure, Windows and macOS can both take advantage of contemporary hardware, but if you want to get the most out of your system, you’ll want to go with Linux.

best linux distro for laptops 2021 is a highly adaptable operating system that can be tailored to any imaginable configuration. Furthermore, because most distributions do not include bloatware or superfluous clutter, you won’t have to worry about undesirable programs slowing down your laptop. Not to mention that many distributions simply install the essential necessities, like as the kernel and a terminal, and let you to completely configure everything else. Other operating systems just do not provide you with that level of control over your program.

What if I’m using an ancient laptop?

The beauty of Linux is that you can find distributions that run flawlessly even on old devices. Although some of the most popular distros, such as Ubuntu, won’t be able to resurrect every feasible laptop, they do run flawlessly on systems that are more than a decade old. You can’t truly say that about the most recent versions of Windows and macOS, which are designed for contemporary hardware and can struggle when installed on older devices.

When it comes to ancient computers, it’s crucial to remember that they typically have relatively limited storage.
And, because swapping out components can be a pain, you’re probably not eager to disassemble your old laptop simply to install a new hard drive. But you don’t have to if you’re using Linux. This is due to the fact that there are lightweight distributions available that weigh as low as 50 MB. At the same time, many distros can be booted from a USB drive, allowing you to utilize a current operating system on an older laptop.

Which Linux Distribution Should I Put on My Laptop?

As you might expect, there is no simple answer to that question because it depends on what you use your laptop for. The good news is that there are lots of distros available for almost every purpose you can think of. For example, if you want a jack-of-all-trades operating system that looks and feels wonderful, Ubuntu is an obvious choice, but distros like Manajaro and Linux Mint are also worthy of consideration.

If you’re coming from Windows, Linux Mint is a great option, while distros like Elementary OS were created to make the transfer from macOS as easy as possible. Then there are distros like Linux Lite and Lubuntu that can take full advantage of outdated technology without sacrificing anything in terms of appearance. In reality, both of them, like the majority of the distros on this list, have a really beautiful visual appearance. Elementary OS is perhaps the most visually appealing at the present, but all of our other choices are pleasing to the eye in their own right.

Another important factor to consider is your level of experience. Linux is far more user-friendly than many people believe; nonetheless, a sizable fraction of distros still have a steep learning curve. If you’re a developer, that’s probably not a concern, in which case you should go with something like openSUSE or CentOS. If this is your first time looking into Linux distros for laptops, we recommend something more approachable, such as Linux Mint, Ubuntu, or Elementary OS.

Final Thoughts

Whether you have a new or old laptop, and whether you want a visually appealing operating system or one that focuses solely on functionality, you can bet there’s a Linux distribution out there that will meet your needs. The distros we reviewed in this post were handpicked to ensure that there’s something for everyone, but there are lots of other decent options out there, so don’t be afraid to experiment until you discover the perfect distro for your laptop.

If you aren’t ready to commit to any of the distros right away, we recommend testing their live versions before making a final selection. You’ll be able to analyze the benefits and drawbacks of each distro and decide for yourself what works best for you and your laptop. Because every distribution on our list is absolutely free, there’s no excuse not to check them all out as soon as possible.

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