Tired of your laptop crawling with Windows updates? Considering switching to Linux on your laptop but overwhelmed by hundreds of distro options? Well, here are the three best Linux distros for laptops that promise excellent hardware compatibility and user experience.
What makes a Linux distro better for Laptops?
Technically, you can install any Linux distribution on your laptop. However, some are going to perform better than others due to specific hardware differences between laptops and desktops. Because laptops are inherently sold as ready-made, pre-configured packages, you can’t easily swap out the Wi-Fi or Bluetooth modules. If those require proprietary drivers and your distro doesn’t ship with them pre-installed, you’re stuck troubleshooting connectivity issues right out of the gate. Then there’s lid-close behavior. When you close your laptop lid, it should reliably suspend the system, while opening it should wake the system. This is another hardware-dependent feature that works better on some distros than others.
Laptops also have touchpads and sometimes touchscreens as core input methods. But again, not all distros are compatible with these hardware options. And coming to one of the most important factors, screen size—most laptops average around 15 inches, but some distros are optimized for larger screens or multi-monitor setups. Finally, you need to think about battery life. While most Linux distros will give you better battery performance compared to Windows, some are just more resource-hungry than others.
When you consider all these factors, some distributions just stand out, offering a better laptop experience than others—and here are my top three picks in this category.
Ubuntu
What makes Ubuntu good for laptops
- GNOME, Ubuntu’s default desktop environment, has excellent touchpad and touchscreen support with 1:1 gesture tracking that feels incredibly smooth.
- Virtual desktop-based workflow specifically optimized for small-screen displays.
- Best-in-class hardware support—runs on almost any laptop without compatibility headaches.
Why laptop owners might not want to use Ubuntu
- GNOME’s unique workflow takes time to learn if you’re coming from Windows.
- It’s one of the heavier Linux distributions—not ideal for reviving old laptops with limited resources.
The name Ubuntu is synonymous with Linux itself, and often functions as a gateway distro. If you’re new to Linux looking for a stable and reliable experience—whether it’s on your desktop or laptop—Ubuntu won’t disappoint. It’s a general-purpose distribution that isn’t optimized for any specific workflow, but it easily adapts to whatever you want to do with it. Whether you want a machine for casual web browsing, coding, or creating content, Ubuntu handles it all without fuss.
Best For
- Linux-curious newcomers
- Zero-hassle seekers
- Folks looking for a general-purpose system
Minimum Requirements
- 2 GHz dual-core processor
- 4GB RAM
- 25GB storage
- 3D accelerated GPU with 256MB VRAM
Download Link
Ubuntu Desktop
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Fedora
What makes Fedora good for laptops
- Ships with GNOME by default, so you get the same excellent touchpad and touchscreen support as Ubuntu.
- Cutting-edge release cycle with new versions every six months—you get the latest Linux kernel for better support on newly released hardware.
- Supports almost every popular desktop environment, so if you don’t like GNOME, you can choose something else.
- Premier home for free and open-source tools and applications.
Why laptop owners might not want to use Fedora
- Its open-source prioritization means you get no proprietary drivers out of the box. This can sometimes cause Wi-Fi and Bluetooth issues—though you can install them manually.
- More targeted toward tech-savvy users than absolute newcomers.
Fedora is one of the most popular alternatives to Ubuntu. It’s officially backed by Red Hat and comes with tons of developer tools in its repository—making it one of the best distros for developers and people who want to learn coding. It’s very minimal and doesn’t bundle many tools by default, which can be either a good thing or a bad thing based on how comfortable you are setting up your own system.
Best For
- Open-source enthusiasts
- Minimalists
- Developers and folks learning to code or use Linux
Minimum Requirements
- 2GHz dual-core processor
- 4GB RAM
- 20GB storage
Download Link
Fedora Workstation
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Linux Mint
What makes Linux Mint good for laptops
- Mint is more resource-efficient than GNOME-based distros, making it lighter and better for lower-spec systems or reviving older hardware.
- Familiar Windows 7-like layout ensures a smooth transition for Linux newcomers.
- Optimized for zero terminal use—you can use Linux Mint without knowing anything about the Linux terminal.
- Includes many power-user functionalities for advanced users despite being beginner-friendly.
Why laptop owners might not want to use Linux Mint
- Touchpad and touchscreen gestures don’t feel as smooth as on GNOME.
- Not as polished or premium-feeling as Ubuntu, Fedora, or other modern alternatives.
- Cinnamon’s Windows 7-like desktop layout isn’t optimized for smaller screens the way GNOME’s workspace system is.
Linux Mint is based on Ubuntu LTS (Long Term Support), so you’re getting the same stable and reliable core with excellent hardware support. However, it also makes many distinct changes to the overall user experience—so much so that many people find it a better distribution than Ubuntu itself. The most notable change is its in-house, Windows-like desktop environment: Cinnamon, which strikes an excellent balance between power and ease of use. You can also download its Xfce and MATE editions, which are even more lightweight and great options for reviving your old laptops.
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Which Distro Should You Choose?
If you’re new to Linux and want to preserve your old Windows workflow, pick Linux Mint. It’s familiar, stable, and won’t throw any curveballs at you. That said, if you want a novel workflow—a new way of working that’s better optimized for laptops—then I’d recommend Ubuntu. The workspace-based approach takes some getting used to, but it’s genuinely better for smaller screens once you adjust.
Now, both Linux Mint and Ubuntu are excellent general-purpose distributions that handle everyday computing without fuss. However, if you’re switching to Linux because you want an OS optimized for coding and software development, pick Fedora. You get an almost similar experience to Ubuntu but with a much more cutting-edge foundation that’s better optimized for developer workflows.
