Although currently many of us usually buy a generic or piece-built computer, the majority of equipment purchases are still by brand. Unfortunately, not many computers are distributed with Ubuntu by default, and of course it is not easy to find a brand that gives us the possibility of choosing an operating system. For this reason, the question comes to mind for many How do I know if my computer is compatible with Ubuntu? A good question that the guys who work under Mark Shuttleworth are helping to solve.
Several years ago, Canonical opened a page where we could search for our equipment and find out if Ubuntu was compatible with it or not. That page no longer exists, but there is another certified software page that more or less fulfills the same mission. The page, in English, is that of Certified Hardware, and in it we can discover if our team mounts hardware compatible with the operating system that gives its name to this blog. They also have a section of certified computers, available here, in which we will find officially compatible equipment. Incidentally, just because a team isn't on the list doesn't automatically make it incompatible; it's just not compatible officially.
And if my computer is built in pieces, how do I know if it is compatible with Ubuntu?
The Free Software Foundation has long since launched a websites with a database of the vast majority of components that we can consult and know if it is compatible or not with Gnu/Linux, and by extension with Ubuntu. The good thing about Ubuntu is that it not only supports Gnu/Linux compatible drivers and components, but also supports proprietary drivers and software, so the range of compatibility is widened. Even so, it is good to consult this database because it can help us choose the ideal component when building our computer and even help us if there is a problem with the hardware or with updates.
Conclusion
If you did not know these web pages, save them in your bookmarks, since I think they are of vital interest, at least when working with the hardware and installations. Although Ubuntu is very open and compatible, it is impossible to know the entire list of components and computers compatible with it. That's why I say add it to bookmarks, it's a tool that we can spend time without consulting, but it could also be the information that saves your life. What do you believe? Did you know these pages?
Another way to know if our equipment is compatible with Ubuntu, you can also start Ubuntu through a USB and mark the option to try without installing (or something like that), so that you can see if the audio works for you, if the video is fluid; ...
Using a USB-Live could be a first test, although it is not necessarily 100% exact, because in some cases it may be necessary to install a driver for a video card, audio card, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, card readers, webcams, pads. , etc.
If it is a good way to start, but not the final one. In addition, to get to this point, we must already have the machine compared or assembled or have it physically with us, something that is not possible if we buy it online or if we are buying it in parts. Even when you go to the store where they are sold, they generally do not let you do this type of test, due to warranty and other policies.
Personally I prefer to consult the pages mentioned in the article and read the comments posted in forums or team reviews.
Hello good, from the page you link there is no Asus brand to check compatibility, this brand does not manufacture compatible equipment? Thanks
Hi Thomas, I have an Asus k53sj from the year 2011 with a 520gb nvidia Gforce GT 1M video card and I have no problems with Ubuntu 20.04.
I think it would be interesting to update this page, with a revision of this issue for 2020 .. since everything has changed for 5 years, there are even computer companies that sell certain models with Ubuntu installed, there are also companies that have asked for it ( Lenovo, HP, Dell) and also the permanent development of the Linux kernel team integrating new drivers and opensource extensions for proprietary software.
I have an HP Touchsmart 520-1020la, and I wanted to give it a new life with Ububtu 19.10, however when installing, it loads the Ubuntu logo and the image disappears completely, as if the monitor (which is integrated since it is all in one).
I try again, this time in safe graphics, and it installs, but when I run it the screen turns off.
Is there any solution???