Top 10 Best Linux Distros for Laptop/Notebook in 2019
|We know that Linux is the most secure and reliable open source operating system. When choosing Linux for a computer, we can try any distributions we like, such as Ubuntu, OpenSUSE, Fedora, and so on. But laptops have their own specifics. Many modern leptopes are comparable in their characteristics with computers, and sometimes they are superior to models of previous years, but there are also weaker mobile machines. For such devices, you can choose an optimized system that will consume less resources and run faster.
In this article we will try to choose the best Linux for the laptop in 2019. We will look at the top ten Linux distributions for your laptop that really make it faster. After reading the article, you can decide which Linux to choose for a laptop and which one is more suitable for you.
The content of the article
- Cub Linux
- LXLE Linux
- Deepin Linux
- Antergos
- Peppermint OS
- Elementary OS
- Zorin OS
- GalliumOS
- Feren OS
- Macpup
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1. Cub Linux
It is a modern, fast, beautiful and stable Linux distribution that consumes little battery power. He was previously known as Chromixium OS. Cub Linux can be used on any laptop or netbook from old to new and modern. It is very similar to Google’s Chromium OS and is based on Ubuntu. It supports the launch of any software, including from the Chrome Store, as well as software from the Ubuntu repositories using Synaptic or Gdebi.
One of the important points is that Cub Linux uses Openbox as its default window manager, this ensures longer battery life and minimal use of resources. By default, the Chromium browser and many other useful applications are supplied with the distribution.
Main parameters
- Based on: Ubuntu LTS
- Architecture: x86/64
- Environment: Openbox
- Package format: .deb
- Built-in applications: Chromium, Youtube, Google Drive
System requirements
- RAM: 512 MB, 1 GB recommended
- Processor: Intel/AMD dual-core 1 GHz
- Hard disk: 4 GB or 8 GB recommended
- Display: minimum 800 x 600, recommended 1024 x 600
- Network: wired or wireless
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Small, fast, beautiful
- Low system requirements
- Low power consumption
- Looks like Chromium OS
- Chrome and regular apps support
- Good for laptops
Cons
- Inconvenient application menu
- Download slower than other distros
- Not for Unity fans
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2. LXLE Linux
LXLE is another best Linux for laptop. It is an easy-to-use, lightweight distribution with the Lubuntu-based LXDE desktop environment. Compared to the latter, LXLE has several advantages: it is based on Ubuntu LTS, meets the needs of most regular users, providing a good set of applications by default. Also added useful modifications to improve performance and increase functionality.
If you are used to use Windows XP or Windows Vista, LXLE is a great solution. This is a highly customizable operating system where you can make your desktop look like Windows, MacOS or even Ubuntu Unity. In addition, the system runs on LXDE and consumes a small amount of resources.
LXLE is shipped by default with applications such as Libreoffice, Mozilla Firefox, Synaptic package manager, and so on. The system already includes additional PPAs for installing and updating software.
LXLE Linux is more beautiful than other distributions based on LXDE. Here you can find more than 100 great wallpapers, pre-installed Explse, Aero Snap, quick launch of applications, access panel and many other functions.
Main parameters
- Based on: Lubuntu LTS
- Architecture: x86/64
- Environment: LXDE
- Package format: .deb
- Built-in applications: LibreOffice, Mozilla Firefox
System requirements
- RAM: 1 GB, recommended 2 GB for 64-bit system
- Processor: Intel / AMD 1.5 GHz
- Hard disk: 8 GB, 20 GB recommended for software installation
- Network: wired or wireless internet connection
Pros and Cons
Pros
- High flexibility
- Low battery usage
- Full desktop environment
- Added custom PPA for easy software installation
- Great for laptops
- Loads in less than a minute
Cons
- Not for beginners
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3. DEEPIN Linux
This distro is specifically for beginners, it is fully suitable for laptops and for desktop computers. Its simplicity and beautiful, modern design make Deepin one of the best distributions of 2016.
Deepin Linux is based on Debian, but it has its own desktop environment. This is not KDE, Xfce, LXDE, Gnome or Openbox and other, it uses the Deepin Desktop Environment. This environment is developed using HTML5 and the Qt framework. Deepin has three types of desktop: modern – like MacOS X, like Windows 7 and classic minimalist – like Windows XP style. There is an app launcher that behaves the same as MacOS and is similar to Ubuntu Dash. Thus, you can access any application directly from the desktop, and even delete it.
Deepin comes with many default apps like Google Chrome, Kingsoft Office, Deepin Music, Movie, Deepin file manager. Deepin also has its own application center, which is called the Deepin Application Center, with the help of which you can install any software in a few clicks. It also has its own control center, similar to MacOS, even more flexible and powerful than the Ubuntu control center.
Main parameters
- Based on: Debian
- Architecture: x86/64
- Environment: DDE
- Package format: .dep
- Built-in applications: Google Chrome, Kingsoft Office
System requirements
- RAM: 2 or more gigabytes
- Processor: AMD / Intel dual-core 2 GHz
- Hard disk: 10 GB, but 20 GB recommended for software installation
- Network: Internet access
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Beautiful, modern, easy to use
- Many software preloaded
- There is an application center
- MacOS-like control center
- Fast download
Cons
- Fast battery discharge
- Consumes a lot of resources
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4. ANTERGOS
This is a great distribution for a laptop based on ArchLinux. Despite this, it is very easy to install and use, and also fairly stable. Unlike ArchLinux, there is a graphical installer, and this will be a great plus for beginners.
Antergos uses a sliding update system, so you will receive updates for all system components and applications as soon as they are available. You can choose KDE Plasma, Gnome, Xfce, Cinnamon, MATE and Openbox as your desktop environment. In addition, the distribution can use AUR to install third-party programs.
Main parameters
- Based on: Arch
- Architecture: x86/64
- Environment: GNOME
- Software Manager: pacman
System requirements
- RAM: 2 or more gigabytes
- Processor: AMD / Intel dual-core 2 GHz
- Hard disk: 10 GB, but 20 GB recommended for software installation
- Network: Internet access
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Based on ArchLinux
- Stable and easy to use and configure
- Update system
- Well for both PC and laptop
- There is a graphical installer
Cons
- Internet connection required for installation
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5. Peppermint OS
Despite the fact that Peppermint OS is still not as popular as other Linux distributions, it is another best Linux distro for a laptop. It is compatible with cloud applications, consumes little energy, and also has its own software manager, and this makes it stand out among the rest.
Peppermint one of the best Ubuntu-based distributions comes with the ability to integrate cloud services. You can connect any cloud applications, such as Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Docs, Twitter with desktop programs. Peppermint comes with a pre-installed Chromium browser and a Dropbox client. Thus, you can immediately use your laptop after installing the system.
Also with Peppermint will be installed Mint application center, update manager, as well as the Nemo file manager. This distribution is similar to the lightweight edition of Linux Mint.
Main parameters
- Based on: Ubuntu LTS
- Architecture: x86/64
- Environment: LXDE
- Package format: .deb
- Built-in applications: Chromium, Dropbox
System requirements
- RAM: 512 MB or more, 1 GB recommended
- Processor: AMD / Intel 1 GHz
- Hard disk: 4 GB, but 8 GB recommended
- Network: Internet access
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Fast and stable
- Cloud Integration (ICE)
- Built-in file manager Nemo
- Integrated Mint Application Center
- Low power consumption
Cons
- Not so beautiful interface
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6. Elementary OS
If you used a Mac, or just an ardent fan of MacOS X operating systems, Elementary would be the best solution for you. It can be safely attributed to the category of “best linux distributions for laptops”, which are created specifically for fans of MacOS.
As in Deepin, it uses its own desktop environment – Pantheon. It has several features, such as the notification area, launching applications, zoom settings, hot corners, and so on. The same as in MacOS.
Elementary OS has large number of applications from Ubuntu by default: its own music player, video player and Midori web browser. If you want an open source MacOS replacement, you can choose Elementary OS.
Main parameters
- Based on: Ubuntu LTS
- Architecture: x86/64
- Environment: pantheon
- Package format: .deb
- Built-in applications: Midori, Music
System requirements
- RAM: 1 GB, 2 GB recommended
- Processor: AMD / Intel 1 GHz, 2 GHz recommended
- Hard disk: 15 GB, but better than 20 GB for software installation
- Graphics card: with a 1024 x 768 extension or more
- Network: Network Access
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Easy to use
- Multifunctional music and video player
Cons
- Uses a lot of resources
- Quickly sits battery
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7. Zorin OS
You like Windows, but you don’t want to install it? Zorin OS is a great solution. Despite the fact that Zorin OS is intended mainly for desktop computers, it is also the best distribution for laptops. A feature of Zorin OS can be considered an easier run EXE files. Here, Wine (the Windows startup library) is preinstalled by default, as well as the shell for it – PlayOnLinux. In addition, the system comes with basic Windows fonts and the necessary dll files. You can install the software using Zorin App Center, Synaptic Package Manager, or Gdebi Installer.
Zorin OS uses its own Zorin Desktop Environment. You can customize it using the Windows 7, Windows XP, Windows 2000, Ubuntu Unity, MacOS and Gnome 2 themes.
Zorin OS comes with software such as media codecs, Mozilla Firefox browser, LibreOffice, GIMP, OpenShot video editor, and so on. It is one of the fastest Ubuntu-based distributions.
Main parameters
- Based on: Ubuntu
- Architecture: x86/64
- Environment: ZDE
- Package format: .deb
- Built-in applications: Firefox, LibreOffice
System requirements
- RAM: 512 MB or more, 1 GB recommended
- Processor: AMD / Intel 1 GHz (dual-core 2 GHz recommended)
- Hard disk: 10 GB, recommended 20 GB
- Display: 640×480
- Network: wired or wireless
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Friendly for beginners
- Made for Windows lovers
- Wine and PlayOnLinux are pre-installed
- Super fast and beautiful
- Highly customizable
Cons
- Free edition has less features than premium
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8. GalliumOS
If you like Chromebook and ChromeOS, then you will also like this distribution. It is an actively developed and highly customizable operating system for Chromebooks. GalliumOS is based on Xubuntu, it follows that the distribution uses the default XFCE environment. The system boots very quickly, unlike other distributions, it is also optimized to save battery and comes with a pre-configured zram instead of a swap partition.
The distribution supports all programs developed for Linux and Ubuntu, so you do not need to worry about software compatibility, as is the case with ChromeOS. It may not be the best distribution for a laptop, but it’s the best for a Chromebook.
Main parameters
- Based on: Xubuntu
- Architecture: x86/64
- Environment: XFCE
- Package format: .deb
- Built-in applications: Firefox, LibreOffice
System requirements
It works on almost all Chromebooks and Chromebox devices. You can find a more detailed list of supported devices on the official site.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Open source distribution
- Fast system boot
- Optimized to save battery
- Undemanding to resources
- Supports all normal Linux programs
- Contains zram by default
Cons
- The user interface is not as convenient as we would like
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9. Feren OS
Feren OS will be a great replacement for those who like the Windows and Mac OS X interface. Despite the fact that the distribution is based on Linux Mint, the sliding update system is used here, so you will always receive the latest software. The distribution does not collect any data about users, like Windows 10, but at the same time consumes less resources than Linux Mint.
By default, Feren OS uses the Cinnamon desktop environment, which you can customize as you like.
Main parameters
- Based on: Linux Mint
- Architecture: x86/64
- Environment: Cinnamon
- Package format: .deb
- Built-in applications: Vivaldi, Skype, Krita, WPS Office
System requirements
- RAM: 1 GB or more
- Processor: AMD / Intel 2 GHz
- Hard disk: 10 GB, 15 GB recommended
- Network: wired or wireless
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Very beautiful design
- High performance
Cons
- May not be interesting for advanced users.
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10.
Macpup is also on the list of the best Linux distributions for laptop. It consumes very low amout of resources and can be used on any equipment: from laptops to netbooks.
Macpup is based on the Puppy Linux distribution, the same packages from Puppy Linux are used here. This distribution uses a small amount of resources and is similar to MacOS. If you have a Pentium 2 or 3 based laptop, you can use Macpup without thinking.
Main parameters
- Based on: Puppy Linux
- Architecture: x86
- Environment: Enlightenment
- Package format: Dotpup / PET
- Built-in applications: Firefox, Gnome Office
System requirements
- RAM: 256 megabytes, 512 recommended
- Processor: Intel / AMD 800 MHz
- Hard disk: 512 MB, 1 GB recommended
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Small and fast
- Very low system requirements
- Similar to MacOS X
- Based on Puppy Linux
Cons
- Not for beginners