Best Chromebooks for Linux

The Best Chromebooks for Linux enable you to harness the full power of your Chromebooks resource once you install Linux and set up dual-boot. These devices offer far more resources than Chrome OS requires, making them perfect for installing and using Linux to extract greater utility.

Sure, you have Crostini on the newer Chromebooks that partially allow you to harness Linux’s power. But Crostini will enable you to run Linux in a container (read limited capability) within the Chrome OS environment. It is easy to set up, and you’ll get basic Linux functionality going, but you’ll need a fully functional Linux distro to run specialized software and root access.

Not all Chromebooks are created equal, and most are too underpowered to run a fully functional Linux distro. Chrome OS is a lightweight operating system that can run on a modest set of configurations, unlike several Linux distros. Hence, you must be careful when selecting a Chromebook if you intend to run a Linux.

Our list of the Best Chromebooks for Linux features powerful devices that’ll allow you to dual-boot your favorite Linux distros. So, you’ll get the best of both worlds, but more importantly, these devices will optimize the use of your Chromebooks hardware, and you’ll get tremendous customizability with the Linux distro.

But customization is one of many benefits of running Linux. They are OpenSource, so you can modify and distribute them. They are one of the most secure operating systems on the market, making them the natural choice for System Administrators. And they are free, and anyone can download them from the internet and start using them without worrying about licensing fees.

In this article, we’ll compare and review the best Chromebooks for Linux. Next, our buying guide will help you identify the best Chromebook for your need. Finally, we’ll answer some frequently asked questions in our last section.

Comparison of the Best Chromebooks for Linux

Image	Product	Details	Check Price
	ASUS Chromebook Flip CX5	Display: 14-inch 1920x1080 IPS CPU: Intel Core i3-1110G4 GPU: Intel UHD Graphics RAM: 8GB DDR4 Storage: 128GB SSD Ports: 2x Thunderbolt 4 1x USB-A 3.2 Type-A (Gen 1) 1x Micro SD Card 1x 3.5mm audio jack	Buy on Amazon
	Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook	Display: 13.3-inch 1920x1080 IPS CPU: Intel Core i3-1115G4 GPU: Intel UHD Graphics RAM: 8GB DDR4 Storage: 128GB SSD Ports: 2x USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 1x USB-A 3.1 Gen 1 1x MicroSD Card Reader 1x 3.5mm audio jack	Buy on Amazon
	HP Elite Chromebook Enterprise c1030	Display: 13.5-inch 1920x1280 IPS CPU: Intel Core i7-10610U GPU: Intel UHD Graphics RAM: 16GB DDR4 Storage: 256GB SSD Ports: 2x USB-C 3.1 Gen 1 1x USB-A 3.1 Gen 1 1x MicroSD Card Reader 1x 3.5mm audio jack	Buy on Amazon
	Acer Chromebook Enterprise 514	Display: 14-inch 1920x1080 IPS CPU: Intel Core i3-1115G4 GPU: Intel UHD Graphics RAM: 8GB DDR4 Storage: 128GB SSD Ports: 2x Thunderbolt 4 1x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 1x HDMI Port 1x microSD card reader 1x 3.5mm audio jack	Buy on Amazon
	SAMSUNG 13.3” Galaxy Chromebook Laptop	Display: 13.3-inch 3840 x 2160 AMOLED CPU: Intel Core i5-10210U GPU: Intel UHD Graphics RAM: 8GB DDR4 Storage: 256GB SSD Ports: 2x USB-C 3.0 1x microSD card reader 1x 3.5mm audio jack	Buy on Amazon
	ASUS Flip 2-in-1 Chromebook Laptop	Display: 15.6-inch 1920x1080 IPS CPU: Intel Core i3-1115G4 GPU: Intel UHD Graphics 600 RAM: 8GB DDR4 Storage: 128GB SSD Ports: 2x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 1x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 1x HDMI 2.0a 1x 3.5mm audio jack 1x Micro SD card reader	Buy on Amazon
	Dell Latitude 7000 7410 14	Display: 14-inch 1920x1080 IPS CPU: Intel Core i5-10310U GPU: Intel UHD Graphics RAM: 8GB DDR4 Storage: 128GB SSD Ports: 2x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 1x HDMI 2.0 1x microSD card reader 1x 3.2mm audio jack	Buy on Amazon
	Lenovo IdeaPad 3 11 Chromebook Laptop	Display: 11.6-inch 1280 x 720 TN CPU: Intel Celeron N4020 GPU: Intel Integrated Graphics RAM: 4GB DDR4 Storage: 64GB eMMC Ports: 2 x USB-C 3.1 Gen 1 2 x USB-A 3.1 Gen 1 1x microSD card reader 1x 3.2mm audio jack	Buy on Amazon

1. ASUS Chromebook Flip CX5 – Best Chromebook for Linux Overall

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The Asus Chromebook Flip CX5 is a versatile device with plenty of advantages over its rivals, making it the best Chromebook for Linux overall. It’s powerful enough to dual-boot Linux and offers many features that add to overall convenience and durability.

The Flip CX5 has Intel’s 11^th generation Core i3-1110G4 processor (2-Core, 6MB Cache, and up to 4.1GHz clock speed). Asus pairs this with 8GB DDR4 RAM and a 128GB NVMe SSD, giving you all the essential specifications of a low-to-mid-range laptop. While these specifications are overkill for an operating system like Chrome OS, they are perfect for a popular Linux distro like Ubuntu. You can also use more lightweight distros like Elementary OS, Solus OS, and Lubutu OS.

The Chromebook has a 14-inch IPS panel display with a FullHD 1920×1080 resolution in a 16:9 aspect ratio. It offers a great range of colors that cover 100% of the sRGB color gamut, but the brightness level of 250nits is on the low side. And Asus offers a screen-to-body ratio of 81% with relatively thin bezels to ensure you get the most screen space.

The CX5 has a 2-in-1 form factor that comes with an ErgoLift hinge, making typing easy. It also features a full-size backlit keyboard, making it easy to work in dimly lit rooms. Moreover, its rugged design, and US Military grade toughness with MIL-STD 810H certifications, ensure that the Chromebook is durable.

Asus includes two Thunderbolt 4 ports with Power Deliver and display support for connectivity. You also get a microSD card reader and a USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 to connect legacy USB devices conveniently. Further, the Flip CX5 is compatible with Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0, so you’ll enjoy streaming all your favorite web series in high definition.

The Asus Chromebook Flip CX5 is a 2-in-1 device that you can use to set up dual-boot Linux. It ticks all the right items on the checklist by offering features like Thunderbolt 4 port, Wi-Fi 6, military-grade toughness, and a spacious backlit keyboard.

2. Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook – Best 2-in-1 Chromebook for Linux

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The Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook is great if you want a functional laptop that you can use for work, which gives you the convenience of a tablet. It’s great to flip into tablet mode after a long day to catch up with loved ones on a video call or watch your favorite web content.

The Flex 5i Chromebook has an 11th-generation Intel Core i3-1115G4 processor. The processor has two cores, four threads, a 6MB cache, and a clock speed of up to 4.1GHz. You also get 8GB DDR4 RAM and 128GB NVMe SSS to round off the key specifications. Thus, you won’t have a problem running your choice of Linux distro on the device.

Lenovo offers the Flex 5i Chromebook with a 13.3-inch IPS panel display with a 1920×1080 resolution. So, you’ll enjoy watching your favorite high-definition web series with a good range of colors and an equally good contrast level. Unfortunately, the 250nits brightness level is low, and working outdoors (or in a brightly lit room) will be challenging.

The Flex 5i Chromebook has a durable 360-degree hinge that feels sturdy and instills confidence when switching between laptop and tablet modes. It doesn’t have the durability certification of the Flip CX5, but it is considerably lighter, making it super convenient to handle, especially while on the move.

For the easy expansion of your computing setup, Lenovo includes essential ports, including USB-C and USB-A. You also get a microSD card reader and a 3.5mm audio jack for your headphone. And Lenovo includes Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1 for wireless connectivity.

The Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook has the necessary specification for installing a Linux distro of your choice. It combines this utility with a 2-in-1 form factor, allowing you to experience the best of work and pleasure.

3. HP Elite Chromebook Enterprise c1030 – Chromebook for Linux with Core i7

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The HP Elite Chromebook Enterprise c1030 offers high-end specifications that are ideal when you need plenty of processing power to run specialized applications. This includes a high-end processor, generous RAM, and double the storage of what you’ll find on most Chromebooks on the market.

The c1030 has a 10^th-generation Intel Core i7-10610U processor, which features 4-Cores, an 8MB Cache, and up to 4.90GHz clock speed, providing you enough processing power for most work applications. HP also includes a generous 16GB DDR4 RAM and a colossal (by Chromebook standards) 256GB NVMe SSD storage. Hence, you can run even the most demanding Linux distros without worrying about whether your device has the proper configurations.

The c1030 is built for productivity; it has a 13.5-inch IPS panel display with a 1920×1280 resolution in a 3:2 configuration, giving you more vertical screen real estate. That’s ideal for working on a large spreadsheet as it helps display more cells and improves productivity by eliminating the need to scroll the screen too often.

The HP Elite Chromebook Enterprise c1030 is compact, lightweight, and features a thin form factor, making it ideal for carrying wherever your work takes you. And you can flip it into tablet mode when you are done working for the day and want to kick back and enjoy watching a movie to unwind.

For connectivity, HP includes USB-C and USB-A ports for connecting all your peripheral devices. Apart from being a Chromebook, the c1030 is also an ultrabook which means you won’t get DisplayPort or HDMI ports to connect external display units.

The Elite c1030 Chromebook is a power-packed, albeit expensive, device if you intend to use it only as a Chromebook. But the high-end specification enables you to install even the most demanding Linux distros to harness the several built-in productivity features.

4. Acer Chromebook Enterprise 514 – Most Durable Chromebook for Linux

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The Chromebook 514 from Acer comes with the US Military grade MIL-STD-810H certification, meaning it is one of the most durable devices. The certification is issued to a device after it is put through a battery of harsh tests beyond what the Chromebook will endure in everyday use. Thus, the devices are durable, and you won’t have to worry about damaging them easily.

Acer offers the Chromebook 514 with an 11^th-generation Intel Core i3-1115G4 processor (2-Core, 6MB Cache, and up to 4.1GHz clock speed). It also has 8GB DDR4 RAM and 128GB NVMe SSD storage, making it ideal for setting up a Linux dual-boot.

This Chromebook comes with a 14-inch IPS panel display with a FullHD 1920x1080pixel resolution, ideal for most work-related use case scenarios. The 16:9 aspect ratio gives you thin bezels on two sides of the screen, meaning the screen-to-body could be better. More importantly, older iterations of the Chromebook 514 failed to impress with their low brightness levels and ordinary color representation. Unfortunately, this model doesn’t do much better.

On the upside, you get a good battery life that’ll last you 10hrs. You also get high-speed wireless connectivity with Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2. What’s more, the Chromebook offers two Thunderbolt 4 and HDMI ports, allowing you to connect high-speed drives and external monitors, respectively.

The Acer Chromebook 514 offers excellent durability, making it perfect for users who travel a lot. But more importantly, it provides mid-range specifications that’ll allow you to install most Linux distros if you don’t mind the premium price.

5. SAMSUNG 13.3” Galaxy Chromebook – Best 4K AMOLED Chromebook for Linux

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In a market dominated mainly by FullHD display screens, this Chromebook from Samsung is among the few that offer a 4K AMOLED display. Thus, making it the best Chromebook for users who want a high-resolution screen that delivers stunning image quality.

Apart from an excellent display screen, the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook also offers plenty of processing power. It has a 10^th-generation Intel Core i5-10210U processor, 8GB RAM, and a generous 256GB NVMe SSD storage. So, you’ll get to run your choice of Linux distro along with any specialized applications for work.

The Galaxy Chromebook has a 13.3-inch AMOLED display with a 4K 3840x2160pixel resolution. The AMOLED display delivers exceptional contrast as you get true black, giving the screen a seemingly infinite contrast ratio. And you get a vibrant color display that looks especially good due to its high brightness levels.

Samsung offers two USB-C 3.0 ports, a media card reader, and an audio jack. So, you’ll have to invest in a USB-C hub to expand your setup further. For wireless connectivity, the Galaxy Chromebook has Bluetooth and Wi-Fi 6. It also includes Samsung’s S-Pen to use along with its touchscreen display.

The Samsung Galaxy Chromebook offers a 4K AMOLED display that produces excellent image quality, which is uncommon for Chromebooks. Further, the 2-in-1 form factor and mid-to-high-range specifications make the Galaxy Chromebook ideal for work and pleasure, if you don’t mind the price.

6. ASUS Flip 2-in-1 Chromebook – 15.6-inch Chromebook for Linux

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The Asus Flip 2-in-1 Chromebook offers a 15.6-inch IPS panel screen with 1920×1080 resolution, large enough for most work-related use cases. It isn’t the brightest screen, but the 250nits is quite functional for office and indoor use.

This Chromebook from Asus has an 11^th-generation Intel Core i3-1115G4 processor with 2-Core, 6MB Cache, and up to 4.1GHz clock speed. You also get 8GB DDR4 RAM and 128GB NVMe SSD, all the typical configurations for a mid-range Chromebook that also run popular Linux distros.

The laptop has a sleek 2-in-1 design with a white body that gives it pleasing aesthetics. It includes a spacious backlit keyboard which makes it convenient to use in dimly lit rooms, and it weighs under 4.50lbs, so it will be easy to carry around with you.

It features a great set of ports for connectivity that include an HDMI 2.0a port apart from the commonly seen USB-C and USB-A ports. And Asus also offers Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 for wireless connectivity.

The Asus Flip 2-in-1 Chromebook C536 offers a large FullHD display. So, you’ll enjoy working on it and watching the occasional movie when you have the time. Moreover, the specification allows you to install the Linux distro of your choice, making the Chromebook ideal for everyday and office use.

7. Dell Latitude 7410 Chromebook – Best Chromebook for Linux with Intel Core i5

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The Dell Latitude is the best Chromebook for Linux if you need the power of an Intel Core i5 processor. It offers a 10^th-generation Core i5-10310U processor (4-Core, 6MB Cache, and up to 4.40GHz clock speed). The Latitude 7410 also has 8GB DDR4 RAM and 128GB NVMe SSD storage.

The laptop has a 14-inch IPS panel display with 1920×1080 FullHD resolution. It offers a wide range of colors that cover 114% of the sRGB color space, giving the images a realistic appeal. So, when you want to take a break from work, the Dell Latitude has a great screen ready to enjoy an episode of your favorite web series.

Its 2-in-1 form factor gives you the best laptop and tablet experience. It is durable and comes with MIL-STD-810G certification. So, it will withstand a bit of rough handling and or the accidental fall once in a while.

The Latitude 7410 Chromebook has a good selection of ports, including USB-A, USB-C, and HDMI ports, that allow you to connect your peripheral devices. You also get Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth for high-speed wireless connectivity.

The Dell Latitude 7410 Chromebook is perfect for work as it offers mid-to-high-range specifications with the Core i5 processor. Dell pairs these specifications with a vibrant display screen that provides a great viewing experience when you want to watch a movie in tablet mode.

8. Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook – Cheapest Chromebook for Linux

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The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Chromebook is the cheapest Chromebook you can have for running Linux. While great, it also means you’ll have to compromise on several features that help keep a low price.

Firstly, the IdeaPad 3 Chromebook has an Intel Celeron N4020 processor (2-Core, 4MB Cache, and up to 2.8GHz clock speed). You’ll also get 4GB RAM and 64GB eMMC storage. So, you’ll only be able to run a few light versions of Linux.

Secondly, while most Chromebooks on the market offer a 13-inch screen or more, the IdeaPad 3 only offer an 11-inch screen. And instead of the commonly used FullHD IPS panel displays, you get a TN panel with 1028×720 resolution.

However, it’s not all bad, and you do get a compact and lightweight device that’ll allow you to accomplish most common office tasks, like working on spreadsheets and presentations. It has a 720p webcam for video conferencing and a great selection of ports, including USB-C and USB-A ports.

The IdeaPad 3 Chromebook is perfect if you are experiencing Linux for the first time and want a pocket-friendly device to get going. So, running Elementary OS won’t be a problem. It’s a reasonably underpowered device that offers just basic functionality, making it suitable for students and any form of eLearning.

Best Chromebook for Linux – Our Buying Guide

Here are some considerations to make when buying a Chromebook for Linux

Specifications

The processor, RAM, and storage are the three critical elements that make up the specifications of any computer. So, you’ll need to ensure that the Chromebook offers the minimum requirement required by the Linux distro you intend to install.

Linux is a lightweight operating system, and finding a Chromebook with suitable specifications is easy. Even low-end specifications with an Intel Core i3 will do a great job.

A popular Linux distro like Ubuntu recommends Core i3, 4GB RAM, and 16GB storage. This is a reasonably low-end specification on the larger spectrum of laptops that is economical and widely available.

Display

There is a wide range of display screens that come on a Chromebook. Essentially, it would be best to look for two things, panel type and resolution.

Panel Type

While the IPS panel type is widely available, there are some Chromebook that offer TN panels for the sake of a low price. IPS panels offer better viewing angles and picture quality than TN panels. But TN panels are cheaper and provide better response time, making them suitable for gaming.

Resolution

Chromebooks offer HD, FullHD, 1440p, or 4K resolutions. Hence, a FullHD or 1440p resolution is a must-have if your work involves working with visual elements. 4K on a laptop screen is a waste of battery and money. The screen is just too small for the user to notice any major differences over the 1440p resolution, also known as 2k.

They are also great if you enjoy watching movies and streaming videos. But an HD resolution will also work if your need is limited to working on spreadsheets, documents, and reading reports.

Ports

Many Chromebooks offer Thunderbolt 4, USB-C, or USB-A ports, so you shouldn’t have a problem finding a device that suits your need. But only a handful of devices offer video output ports, so if you intend to use a monitor, ensure that the Chromebook has a DisplayPort or HDMI port.

Battery Life

Chromebooks are meant to be portable, and they’ll beat any purpose if you have to sit in one place to charge your device. Thus, ensure that your Chromebook has a long battery life. Usually, a battery life of 10hrs. or more should be enough to last you an entire workday. So, anything more than that is excellent.

Best Chromebook for Linux – Frequently Asked Questions

Can all Chromebooks run Linux?

Not all Chromebooks are created equal, so you’ll have to check whether your Chromebook is compatible with Linux. Chromebooks that came into existence after 2019 allow you to set up a Linux dual-boot, which is not the case with all older devices.

Can I run any Linux distro on a Chromebook?

You can install and use any Linux distro as long as the Chromebooks specifications match or exceed its minimum requirements.

Can I run Linux with dual-boot?

Chrome OS allows you to run Linux in a container within the Chrome OS environment. So, you won’t need a Linux dual-boot.

Can I replace Chrome OS with Linux?

It shouldn’t be a problem as long as you know precisely what you are doing. Also, we highly recommend taking a backup of your Chrome OS before you start. And if you haven’t done this before, leave things be and avoid tinkering with the OS.