Best core i7 laptops for running Linux

Just as electronic devices have entered every walk of life, laptops have become one of the most useful tools. While the market is full of laptop brands, there are very limited operating systems running hundreds of businesses and household utilities over the devices. Mac-OS and Windows have been among the most primitive operating systems, whereas Linux is relatively younger in this domain. Initially, Linux was limited to professional users, but over time, it has entered every domain of users.

Although many laptops are being introduced with an inbuilt Linux operating system yet installing Linux to most of the laptops in the market is no more a big deal. All you have to do is to select a laptop model which best meets your need and supports Linux installation. To help you with that, we have made a quick list of the best core i7 laptops for running Linux. Scroll on for the details!

Factors to consider while purchasing the best core i7 laptops for running Linux

It is crucial to outline the specifications you need and budget in hand while making a worthwhile laptop purchase. These specifications may vary depending upon the user’s choice, but basic specs need to be considered are:

Laptop size

The laptop size matters a lot. Mainly it varies with the purpose of usage. Normally the size of laptops varies from 11.3 inches to 17.6 inches. Choose the right size as per your need; for example, for students and journalists, portability is crucial, so sleek designs and lightweight laptops are suggested.

CPU

Selecting the right processor is another important factor. The processor has to be chosen depending on the need for performance and budget. Intel offers different processors like core i3, i5, and i7. Core i3 is used at entry levels and is much cheaper, but if a person needs a high performing machine, core i7 can be a good choice.

RAM

There was a time when 2 GB RAM was considered enough for a laptop. Nowadays new machine starts with 4 GB RAM and can be upgraded up to 32 GB. Higher RAM allows multiple applications running at the same time without being getting slower. Laptops used for corporate purposes and business ventures usually need large RAM.

Storage

Every laptop user needs a different storage capacity. These capacities normally range from 128 GB to 2 TB. Conventional hard disks are somehow bulky and slow in performance, so for new slim laptops, SSD hard disks are used. These hard drives have much higher speed and are soundless, but on the other hand, they are much expensive.

Battery Life

Laptops are mostly considered as a portable device. The need for good battery timing is a major requirement. Battery timing offered by laptop companies is not experienced in real life. While looking for battery timing, it is advised to look for Watt-hours or MAH. Batteries with higher values of WH or MAH will have longer battery timing.

USB Ports

The usage of USB ports has been increased with time. Many other ports and devices have been shifted to USB ports. Laptop manufacturers commonly offer USB 2.0, but now many new laptops have USB 3.0 port, which has much faster data transfer speed.

Build Quality

Laptops are portable machines. Hence, the risk of getting dropped or being exposed to harsh weather conditions like heat and wet surfaces etc. is expected. Some laptops are designed to be used in fieldwork, so their built up is created accordingly. While selecting the laptop, check the build quality according to the usage.

5 best core i7 laptops for running Linux

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 is an ultralight business laptop 15 inches in size. This machine is named extreme due to its sheer power, portability, and having unlimitedly powerful specifications. Lenovo is already a popular brand in professionals due to its portability and durability.

If high-quality audio is your ultimate focus, then Lenovo ThinkPad is for you. Dolby Atmos® provides the intensity matching with this laptop, offering dramatic, moving audio that feels like flowing all around you. Whether you want to enjoy your favorite lyrics or want a high sound quality conference call, its perfect audio effect will mesmerize you.

If you are using a laptop for professional use and corporate tasks, then this one is the best choice as it entails NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX graphics and Intel® H Series, six-core processors. It will enable every task performed well with zero lag time. For best performance, instead of Ubuntu, go with Pop!_OS Linux distro. It has a much more seamless installation and better overall desktop experience.

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Lenovo Business 330S laptop

The most striking feature of Lenovo Business 330S is its aesthetics. We recommend this laptop for the user who thinks laptops more than a working machine. Its classy aluminum polished and plastic build provides a perfect non-glassy display. The unrecognizable mix of aluminum and Plastic will leave you stunned as you cannot recognize the two. What’s more, it comes with pre-installed 64-bit Linux Mint Cinnamon. So, you don’t have to struggle with the installation process.

The Lenovo Business 330S houses the newest Intel Core i7-8550U processor, 20GB DDR4 SDRAM, Intel UHD 620 Integrated Graphics, and 2TB Solid State Drive. The FHD (1920×1080) with 14″ non-Touch display is bright, sharp, and non-glassy. Yes, it’s more eye-popping than you’d believe.  Video streaming comes in FHD. Besides, the stereo speakers and thin bezels add to its value.

One of its low sides is its comfortable keyboard, but it does not equalize ThinkPad’s sophistication. Additionally, it is not backlit, so if you use your laptop in the dark, you may face a problem. With all the right specs, it is overall a great choice for Linux users.

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Dell Precision M5520

We recommend Dell Precision 5520 for those who do not have budget constraints because it is one of the super expensive laptops in the market. But its high price is quite justifiable because of its powerful internals. Hence, we recommend it to professional users and enterprise users. After carrying out its deep analysis, we consider it to be non-practical for normal consumers like students and household users.

It has the Intel Core i7-7820HQ Processor (7th Generation), 32GB DDR4 2400MHz RAM, 4GB dedicated VRAM, and NVIDIA Quadro M1200M. Its display is also UltraSharp FHD providing an anti-glare wide View. Its massive and swift 1TB SSD will let you store a huge amount of data with ease. The keyboard with plastic keys of 1.3mm travel provides a comfortable typing experience. It is also backlit and enables swift typing during the dark.

We tried it with Vanilla Ubuntu 18.04 (the desktop edition). Apart from the usual BIOS adjustments like disabling RAID, etc., the installation process is quick and seamless. The dual monitor support works like a charm without any effort on the user’s part.   Overall, we tag it as a performance beast intended for professionals looking to go all the way to get the desired performance.

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Lenovo Yoga C930 2-in-1

Lenovo Yoga series is popular for its super long hinges and batteries. This time, a smart speaker has been added to its hinge, which further enhances this model’s beauty. Not only its aesthetic design is recommendable, but its performance and durability are also worth mentioning.

This sleek machine has a lot inside to explore. From the office to gaming and video chatting, you can do anything with it. It is compatible with both Linux and Windows operating systems. Yoga C930 2-in-1 packs have 8th Gen Intel Core i7-8550U processor, 12GB RAM Intel HD Graphics 620, and 256GB Solid State Drive. So it can easily meet all your performance, storage, multitasking requirements.

Our experience installing Ubuntu 18.10. was painless, although there were minor roadblocks along the way. However, once completed, all the applications like GIMP, kdenlive, VLC, Tweaks, and Thunderbird run without any issues. Some users have experienced problems with the speakers, but our installation process went smoothly.

Despite being sleek, it encompasses a beautiful keyboard for smooth and swift typing. The pen works as advertised. The trackpad of this keyboard does a remarkable job at gestures and tracking. Its super sophisticated functions and specs justify its cost, and we recommend it to users looking for aesthetically attractive yet high-performing laptops.

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HP Elite Dragonfly

HP Elite Dragonfly looks remarkably premium, yet it is highly durable. It encompasses the latest Intel Core i7 8665U, Intel UHD Graphics 620, 512GB SSD (a faster drive with 7200 RPM speed), 16GB Memory enabling speedier loading, and multitasking and a). These specs are more than enough for those looking for high-end laptops for efficient working. It also provides comfortable hard surfaces use and lap experience. Because of its high-end specs, we recommend it as a business laptop to ensure all corporate handling with ease.

With a good key travel and punchy keys, HP Elite Dragonfly provides a comfortable typing experience. Its trackpad is also up to the mark for all performing all kinds of gestures and tracking. Its full HD display will let you experience perfect video chat or a business conference with the least fatigue of audiovisual disturbance. You can also enjoy your leisure time by watching movies on its accurate HD display.

All in all, everything works – even the included stylus with fine controls. Our test running the latest Ubuntu 19.10 on this machine was flawless and fast, as you would expect from an 8^th gen core i7 laptop. We recommend this one as an ideal choice for both business and personal use. Watch out for a higher price, though.

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Final thoughts:

Although the market is all full of laptops and related products yet the one which meets your specific needs will prove to be the best for you. No matter how expensive a product is, if it is not equipped with the basic features you need, then it is of no use. Just as the laptops and specifications vary, so does the personal need. Hence, we have tried to provide the best mix of laptops covering a combination of needs and budgets so everyone can benefit from our recommended list. We hope you got to learn something from our reviews of Best core i7 laptops for running Linux. For any suggestions, drop us a comment below!