The Best Linux Laptops (I Install Linux on Every Laptop I Test) (2026)

Here is a list of its ports: 1 × USB 4.0 Type-C, 1 × USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, 3 × USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, micro SD card reader, HDMI 2.0, 2 x Type-C with DisplayPort 1.4 and a headphone/microphone combo. The webcam is a 2MP 1080p, which does the job, but seems a bit long at this point. Otherwise, it’s a great option for AMD fans.

Ideal for performance

The Kubuntu Focus Zr 1 (8/10, WIRED recommends) is a powerhouse, but measuring 15 inches by 12 inches, more than an inch thick, and weighing 8 pounds, it’s not a laptop you carry around casually. But if your job requires serious computing power, whether it’s machine learning (running TensorFlow), local LLMs, big data processing workflows, or high-end video editing, the Zr Gen 1 delivers power in spades.

Inside, the Zr Gen 1 has a 24-core Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX, an RTX 5090 graphics card, 24 GB of GDDR7 RAM (expandable up to 192 GB), two SSDs, one 1 TB, one 2 TB (you can have up to 4 drives, including a PCIe GEN 5×4 NVMe). Besides the discrete GPU, there is also an integrated one, which means you can disable the discrete card to maximize battery life. I spent about 90% of the time with the discrete card turned off and just turned it on when editing photos and videos.

The screen is a stunning 18-inch LCD (2560 x 1600 pixels, 168 DPI density) with a peak brightness of over 500 nits and a matte finish that makes it easy to use even in bright light. This is one of the best LCD panels I’ve used recently, and gamers will be happy to see the 240Hz refresh rate. You can also plug in up to 4 external displays. Thanks to the size of the Zr, there is enough room for a full-size keyboard with number pad. The keyboard is user-configurable and has a 65,536-color LED backlighting system that you can change to your liking with the Focus tool.