Mini PCs are superior due to their versatility, and if you marry them with an open-source working system like Linux, the chances are infinite. However why set up Linux manually when you’ll be able to skip the picture writing and get devoted help by shopping for Linux-first?
I’ve ordered these tiny PCs alphabetically, not by energy or evaluate scores. Whereas I have never put them to the check myself, I do have first-hand expertise with among the producers, they usually’re all well-established within the Linux computing world. In actual fact, some are sponsors of Linux tasks and assets you understand, like KDE and DistroWatch. Shopping for one is an effective way to help the choice working system ecosystem.
5
Kubuntu Focus NX Gen 2
When you’re a fan of the KDE Plasma desktop setting and the Ubuntu growth base, pay attention to the Kubuntu Focus NX Gen 2. It is a tiny PC that comes with Kubuntu Linux LTS preinstalled, solely.
The NX Gen 2 was introduced in early 2023, so it is a few years previous on the time of writing. While you configure your order, you have got your selection in processors between an Intel Core i5-1240P or i7-1260P, which could have been bleeding-edge on the time, however Intel has since launched two generations of chips.
Nonetheless, the i7-1260P processor might be boosted as much as a decent 4.7GHz. It is capable of help as much as 4 4K displays directly, plus an exterior GPU concurrently due to its Thunderbolt 4 ports. You possibly can configure it with a most of 64GB RAM that makes use of the DDR4 normal.
When you like Kubuntu, you will love the “Focus” variant of Kubuntu that is optimized for the {hardware} you are shopping for. I reviewed the Focus Ir14 Gen 1 and later the Ir15 Gen 2, and I now personal the Focus Ir14 Gen 2, so I communicate from expertise once I say the built-in utilities for managing your processor, followers, and different {hardware} are nice. There is a ton of growth instruments too, together with preinstalled JetBrains Toolbox and a script for robotically putting in the Anaconda machine studying suite.
The Focus NX Gen 2 begins at $795 for a base configuration, and it ships from the US.
4
Laptop computer with Linux Intel NUC13
The Intel NUC13 bought by the Netherlands-based model Laptop computer with Linux seems to make use of the identical physique because the Focus NX. Nevertheless, you get a wider number of processor selections, that are themselves thirteenth technology Intel chips slightly than Twelfth-gen. You even have extra RAM choices, together with no RAM in any respect in case you favor to convey your personal reminiscence.
Ports-wise, the NUC13 has two HDMI 2.1 ports, two USB-C ports with DisplayPort 1.4a capabilities, in addition to 4 USB-A ports. You additionally get a headset jack and a 2.5Gbps Ethernet port, and it comes with Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 help.
Laptop computer with Linux provides you a ton of choices for preinstalled Linux distros, equipment, and different pre-configuration requests like disk encryption and software program suites. You possibly can select not embrace a wi-fi card in case you plan to put in your personal or hold your mini PC air-gapped or wired-only.
Confusingly, the Laptop computer with Linux web site signifies the NUC13 begins at $484, however in configuring it you should select a boot drive measurement, the smallest of which provides $68 to the value. So count on to spend at the very least $552. When you’re ordering to the US, worldwide delivery fees are positive to place extra stress in your pockets, too.
3
Slimbook One
Slimbook, a Spain-based firm, presents one of many extra highly effective choices on this record. The Slimbook One sports activities an AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS chip. It additionally helps DDR5 RAM, configurable as much as a whopping 96GB. It has two PCIE 4.0 slots for NVMe drives, and there are each HDMI and Show Port connector ports, plus two 2.5Gbps Ethernet jacks and an array of USB-C and USB-A ports. All simply mounted to the again of a monitor.
There’s a formidable variety of configuration choices, too. Slimbook will configure a dual-boot setup for you with Home windows 11 and a Linux distro of your selection, if you’d like that. Your distro selections consists of the corporate’s personal Slimbook OS, which relies on Ubuntu, and is available in each GNOME and KDE Plasma flavors. Along with another well-liked choices, there are a couple of extra area of interest distros, like Kali Linux, TrueNAS, and Proxmox.
On the time of writing, the Slimbook One will run you about $642 for its base configuration. Remember it is within the EU, so in case you’re ordering from the US count on a little bit of ache within the delivery division. In case your wants are less complicated, try the Slimbook Zero, which makes use of a much more humble processor however nonetheless has loads of customization choices whereas being much more reasonably priced.
2
Star Labs Byte Mk III
Bringing some attention-grabbing philosophies to the combination is the Byte Mk III tiny PC designed by Star Labs, a UK-based Linux-first gadget maker. The fanless mini has some unusual options, together with Coreboot and EDK II firmware as a substitute UEFI implementation, plus a devoted firmware updater software. It features a one-year “open” guarantee, that means every little thing from swapping components to changing the firmware will not void your guarantee.
Whereas it is one of many extra distinctive mini PCs on this record, it is one of many much less spectacular when it comes to uncooked energy. Its Intel Core 3 N355 processor would not benchmark in addition to others, although it’s newer than any of the opposite chips on this record, so it is a first rate selection in case you do not want a ton of oomph. You possibly can configure Byte with as much as 32GB of DDR4 RAM and 10TB in complete storage. You get an honest number of well-liked distros, together with Ubuntu, Elementary OS, and Manjaro Linux.
The Byte Mk III is as low cost because it will get on this assortment of mini PCs, beginning at $551. On the time of writing, it is solely out there for pre-order, however Star Labs is working a deal without spending a dime worldwide delivery. Which means my fellow US people will wish to snap the deal up if it is in your consideration.
1
Tuxedo Nano Professional Gen 14
We talked in regards to the Tuxedo Nano Pro in a previous list of Linux-first mini PCs, nevertheless it’s since been up to date to its 14th technology. It is an thrilling replace as a result of shopping for one places you numerous nearer to the bleeding edge than most different Linux mini PCs on the market.
Specifically, it is obtained an AMD Ryzen AI chip, your selection between the 5 340 and the extra highly effective 7 350 model. You may get between 16GB and 96GB of DDR5-grade reminiscence, and as much as 10TB of mixed NVMe and M.2 SSD storage.
The Nano Professional comes with the corporate’s customized Ubuntu-based KDE Plasma distro known as Tuxedo OS, however you may also select from a couple of others like normal Ubuntu, Ubuntu MATE, Kubuntu, and Xubuntu. Tuxedo can even optionally configure a Linux-Home windows 11 dual-boot setup for you, or set up a licensed Home windows 11 virtual machine in VirtualBox, all for added charges, in case you want entry to Home windows.
All of that juice comes with a price ticket of $827 USD at its most humble configuration. That does not depend taxes and delivery, and Germany-based Tuxedo Computer systems fees a €99 EUR flat price for delivery to the US. Which means it’s best to count on to strategy or break $1,000 in case you spring for the Nano Professional whereas residing state-side.
If none of those communicate to you, remember you might all the time build your own tiny PC, through which case you’d get to decide on your personal working system from the beginning. You may also simply select from one in all the best mini PCs out there after which install the Linux distro of your choice on it.
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