Hardware Recommendations

Hardware compatibility with Linux is sometimes tricky. You can not buy just anything and expect it to work. Some manufacturers don't support Linux at all, and sometimes the support is not good.

However, if you already own a desktop or laptop, it is probably going to work. Just try it with a live USB.

This page aims to make buying recommendations for problematic hardware categories.

PLEASE NOTE: Regarding specific recommendations. Old or unavailable hardware is to be removed, and the list should be short. Best case would be one device that is good, cheap, and available in all countries. If this doesn't exist, there may be different recommendations for different countries and/or different price categories. Every price is to be provided with a timestamp in the form YYYY-MM. Mentioned devices should have great out-of-the-box experience. If there are no devices with great out-of-the-box experience available, there might also be devices mentioned that require as little tweaking as possible. Tweaking steps are to be mentioned in these cases. Feel free to add categories to further distinguish between different features.

You may find a more extensive list of hardware that is known to work here.

Problematic Hardware

You should be wary not to buy the wrong stuff. If you buy wrong, you might end up with completely incompatible hardware.

WiFi Sticks

Many models provide no drivers, and will not work.

The important thing in the sticks is the chip. Manufacturers sometimes have the same model with different chips. Chips that often work, are Qualcomm Atheros, and Intel.

Bluetooth Sticks

Many models provide no drivers, and will not work.

Recommendations: To be done.

Printer/Scanner

Many models provide no drivers, and will not work.

Recommendations: To be done.

Less problematic Hardware

This page needs work, for the following reason(s): What about Intel graphics (especially Arc)?.

Your chance of picking a device that straight up doesn't work, is much lower. However, you might face some jank, some features might not work, and stuff might not be flawless.

GPUs

This topic is subject of discussion. If you want to read more about it, you might find something in this reddit post. AMD and Nvidia both work, and you'll probably be fine with either. However:

• If you want as little problems as possible, buy an AMD GPU that is at least a couple months old. The drivers typically take a bit of time to mature.
  • If you want FOSS drivers, AMD is your only option. There are FOSS drivers for Nvidia (Nouveau), and Nvidia even released their kernel module, but they are no option for gaming (at least yet).
  • If you want long support, AMD is the way to go, as support is essentially never dropped.
• Nvidia provides proprietary day one drivers with full functionality, however they are not well integrated, due to not being FOSS. There might be some delayed features, or some bugs. But as said, you're probably going to be fine. If you're not, blame Nvidia.
  • If you want DLSS, Nvidia is your only option. However, AMD (and Nvidia) support FSR and FSR 2, which works in a similar way. There are mods that translate DLSS 2 to FSR 2 for many games.
  • Don't fear to switch to Linux if you own an Nvidia GPU. Even though AMD might be the better option, many people are very happy with their Nvidia GPU.
• If you buy a very old GPU, make sure that it has Vulkan support.

Gaming Laptops

If you don't want to do gaming on your laptop, many devices should be ok, the problem is basically just WiFi and Bluetooth, and even those often work. You might face problems if you have a device with two GPUs (should be solvable), or other special components (fingerprint reader, etc - might not be solvable).

• Manufacturers with good support. You can't do anything wrong if you buy one of those (as long as the performance is good enough for you):
  • System 76
  • Tuxedo
  • Slimbook
• Specific recommendations for a gaming laptop:
  • Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 15ACH6 | EU | around 800-1 000 € (multiple similar models available) | Available without OS | Out of the box full compatibility (WiFi since kernel 5.16, on older manual installation of driver needed)

Mainboards

Mainboards should do their job for the core functionality. However, features like fan control, Bluetooth, WiFi, or RGB may not be supported out of the box. If you don't need any of this, just buy whatever you want.

AMD

• AM4
  • MSI Tomahawk Arctic B350

Mice/Keyboards

Generally all of them work, as long as you don't expect the specific configuration software to work. This can mean that you can't control RGB, DPI, or makro buttons.

A workaround for unsupported models can be to boot Windows once to change the settings (if you don't need to change them all the time). You can also start a VM, pass through the device, and change settings there.

Models with native support

This page needs work, for the following reason(s): It is not clear how good these tools are, and if they are actually a good recommendation. Maybe it would be possible to rate them for usability.

However, some models have native support:

• Logitech: Solaar
• Razer: OpenRazer.
• Roccat: Eruption, roccat-tools(aur, ppa)
• ASUS: rogdrv
• Various models: Piper

Headphones

Headphones with audio jack will work without problems, and the core functionality of Bluetooth/Wireless headphones should be no problem, either. However if the manufacturer ships special software for controlling certain features like noise cancelling, these configuration options might not be available.

Hardware with RGB support

Hardware in this category is unproblematic, other than for RGB support. If you don't care for that, just buy whatever you want.

Recommendations:

• To be done

Generally unproblematic hardware categories

Everything that doesn't require special software, and/or works via a standardized interface will work well. There might be exceptions, but the vast majority of the devices in the following categories should be unproblematic:

• Monitors
• Headphones/Speaker with audio jack
• CPUs
• USB microphones