The easy guide to How to buy an Ubuntu-compatible computer

Ubuntu is a full-fledged OS that runs on thousands of hardware configurations and, is natural, to work properly on various systems, as opposed to slightly faulty computers (the wireless card is not recognized, the hibernation doesn't perform in optimal parameters, etc).

Consequently, Ubuntu comes to help with Ubuntu certified, a set of tests thoroughly checked against computers sent from numerous hardware manufacturers, test that are to enlighten a possible Ubuntu-powered hardware buyer.

Basically, OEMs send computers to Canonical's testing team, where Canonical engineers stress the received systems with various tests, aimed at discovering which are best suited to run with Ubuntu OS.

Ubuntu Certification test suite plunges in systems' components and validate them, starting with processors, RAM memory, USB ports, laptop/netbook lid sensors, sound cards, bluetooth controllers, mouse, keyboard, wireless, Ethernet, suspend, hibernate, card readers, SATA controllers, etc, meaning that are almost 0% chances to encounter problems when buying Ubuntu-certified machines.

The complete list of the daily-growing Ubuntu-certified computers is available here, properly organized in Laptops, Desktops, Servers and Netbooks.

The items available in the list can be easily expanded, thus in-depth exposing various machine components as well as their suitable Ubuntu version (make sure to read the notes, which act as an attention warning).

Furthermore, as Ubuntu is becoming a globally-appreciated OS, in the last years have emerged solid companies that sell hardware based exclusively on Ubuntu (and carefully choosing hardware to work properly on Ubuntu), such as:

System76, specialized in delivering Ubuntu-preinstalled laptops, desktops and servers since 2005, featuring a large base of configurable computers

Zareason ships mainly Ubuntu-powered systems (along with other distros) via a wide range optimized hardware