Acer core i3 linux

Aspire 3 fail installing Ubuntu

Hi!
I have an issue during installation dual-boot Win10 (preinstalled) and Ubuntu 18 LTS on my new Acer Aspire 3 (to be more precise: A315-55G-589M).

Steps i have followed to install:

1. Created partition approx. 80GB and formatted it
2. Turned off fastboot and hybernation from win level
3. Made a bootable USB with Ubuntu (used Rufus and LiLi)
4. Made a supervisor passwd and turned off secure boot, fast boot and similar
5. Made sure that windows boot loader is prior to bootable linux usb (Linpus)

What is my problem?
There is no disk selection menu nor menu where you can select install along windows and so on.
I figured out that Ubuntu didn’t see the whole hard drive and tries to install on my usb rather than Aspire.

What am I doing wrong? Maybe should I update my BIOS or drivers?
Feel free to ask me for further information, maybe screens. It is really important for me to install Ubuntu as fast as possible 😛
Is there somebody able to help me, please?

Best Answer

The problem that you described in your original post is very similar to what another forum member described with a different model. «Stuck in weird RAID mode» even though Windows works fine and I don’t think the computer is actually in a bona fide RAID.

It would appear that Acer added this hidden SATA mode for linux users. just a hunch.

See link below regarding different model. same problem for linux users.

FAQ & Answers

This grub64x.efi idea may work, but your solution assumes that I have already installed Linux. The problem is that the installer doesn’t even see the HDD, so I can’t install Linux the normal way. The only option is sda1, which is my USB. Should I follow step 10 anyway?

Anyway, thanks for your reply!

What am I doing wrong?

I’m pretty sure the mistake you made was formatting the 80 GB partition.

1. Delete the 80 GB partition
2. Recreate the 80 GB partition but don’t format it. Just leave it as unallocated space.

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Best Acer Laptops for Linux

1. Acer Aspire E 15

In case you want an affordable laptop that can efficiently handle dual boot. Acer’s Aspire E 15 should be your first choice. It comes preloaded with windows 10. Yes, you read that right; the best Acer laptop for Linux doesn’t come preloaded with Linux. Now, this is a prevalent trend, even among other manufacturers. What matters the most is that it’s fully compatible with major Linux Distros.

This 8th gen laptop has an Intel Core i3 8130U Processor, 6 GB of dual-channel RAM (expandable), and 1 TB HDD. Due to this reason and Intel’s Turbo Boost 2.0, it can handle multiple OS without any lag issues. It houses a large screen measuring 15.6 inches in length. In addition, there are multiple USB ports on the side. The USB 3.1 Type C port supports fast data transfers, and a USB 3.0 port can charge up your electronics.

2. Acer Swift 3

This versatile 14 inches machine is a solid Linux workstation. It boasts a slick, all-metal construction that weighs slightly over 3 pounds and is under an inch in thickness. Besides, it has all the top-of-the-line features you have come to expect from a modern notebook, including a fingerprint reader, integrated camera, 10 hours battery, and a plethora of ports for connectivity.

Our recommended version comes with an octa-core Ryzen 7 4700U processor, a decent 8 GB DDR4 RAM for snappy performance, and a superfast 512 GB SSD for plenty of storage capacity. It installs Ubuntu 20.04 desktop without any hassle. However, its fingerprint reader is not currently supported. Overall, it’s a budget workhorse for people who don’t want to splurge.

3. Acer Aspire 1 A114

This is another Windows machine with excellent Linux potential. With lightweight chassis, even more, economical price and a stylish profile, Acer Aspire 1 A114 has won over the hearts of the techie community – especially beginners. It has a 14 inches screen, decent enough dual-core processor, 4GB DDR4 RAM, 64 GB HDD, and multiple USB and other ports to give you all the basic functionality you expect from a laptop.

Because these specs are decent enough for basic media, web development, regular office work, and general internet surfing, to run Linux in dual boot, make sure that you put the touchpad into the basic mode through BIOS, as it doesn’t support the pad in advance mode. Overall, it’s an excellent entry-level option. Its low specs can be somewhat limiting, but you should expect some compromises at such an economical price.

4. Acer Predator Helios 300

While the previous model was for beginners, here’s one for professional gamers. Boasting Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 GPU, Core i7 CPU, 16 GB DDR4, and 256GB HDD, this laptop offers the best performance for Linux. Still, it will empty your pockets as it costs around 1000 USD. Besides, this VR-ready gaming giant features a 144Hz 15.6 inches full HD display.

If you own an Acer Predator Helios 300 and want to turn to Linux Distros, we recommend LinuxMint Cinnamon 19.2 dual boot. This is because it is easiest to install & configure as per your needs. If you are installing a Distro that does not support the Secure Boot feature, then be sure to disable it from BIOS before installing. It will make your work a lot easier.

5. Acer Aspire 5

Acer Aspire 5 is a large machine. Its 15.6 inches full-HD display is most suitable for business users because it has built-in 10 keys for fast calculations. But, even gamers can use its feature-set as it has 8 GB RAM and GeForce MX150, giving them plenty of options to enjoy their time. Moreover, it offers a 256GB SSD for quick storage access.

Furthermore, you will have 6 to 7 hours of battery life, depending on your usage. While it comes installed with Windows 10, you can get it to run Ubuntu or Mint on dual boot with a simple change in the security settings. Other features include a backlit keyboard for late-night usage and multiple ports for versatile connectivity.

6. Acer Chromebook 514

Chromebooks aren’t just another browser. In fact, they are Linux laptops. You can install a Linux desktop and ChromeOS and switch between the two whenever you like by simply using a hotkey. No need to reboot your machine. The Acer Chromebook 514 has Linux Apps (crostini) support, along with general Android support.

Even though this model feels and looks premium due to its metallic chassis, backlit keypad, and Gorilla Glass trackpad, it is only intended for basic tasks. The Intel Celeron dual-core processor, 4 GB RAM, 32 GB built-in storage and a 14 inches 1080p display provide enough performance boost that any beginner can run Linux without any trouble.

7. Acer Chromebook 13

Yet another Chromebook on our list of best Acer laptops for Linux is touted specifically “For Work.” And it really lives up to the name- no surprises there. With a fast Intel Core i3 processor, 8 GB of RAM, and 32GB expandable storage, Chromebook 13 is yet another ideal option for Linux users. Due to its smaller 13.3 inches display screen, this is the most portable Acer machine on our list of reviews.

It is a durable machine with strong resistance to extreme temperatures. You can conveniently install any Advance Linux Distro like Kali and use it for official network management tasks without worrying about any throttling factors to limit the performance. All in all, we recommend this laptop for professionals who travel often.

8. Acer Chromebook Spin 13

Why splurge your hard-earned money on an expensive Acer laptop for Linux when you can get Acer Chromebook Spin 13? It’s certainly expensive for a Chromebook, but you are spending less in comparison with a laptop. It was part of our top 10 list of best Chromebooks for Linux in 2020. You can read our full review there.

It’s a very affordable two-in-one convertible that packs enough punch to run Linux and comes with a cleverly integrated stylus. You can draw, write and jot down everything you want in tablet mode on its 2K display. It comes with an Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of LPDDR3, and a 123GB HDD for storage.

9. Acer Aspire NX.M89AA.003; V5-131-2887

If you are sick and tired of compatibility issues and want an Acer laptop that comes pre-installed with Linux, then this little guy should be on your radar. This 11.6 inches laptop is powered by a 1.1GHz Intel Celeron 847 processor. It is equipped with 4GB DDR3 RAM and a 320GB HDD. Additionally, the compact display screen is just 11.6 inches.

The OS was supposed to be Fedora-based Linpus Linux. But what we got was a root-only and text-only laptop. Anyway, this compact machine is still a better choice for installing any Linux Distro of your choice than most competitors. Highly optimized for Linux, Acer Aspire NX will satisfy the needs of any intermediate-level programmer.

10. Acer Swift 1

Our last Acer laptop for Linux is an unconventional one. It’s not the fastest CPU. Neither is it recommended for heavy-duty office work like software development, graphics, or video editing. So what’s the catch here? We love it because it is very lightweight, dead silent, and offers fantastic battery time (up to 10 hours).

While using it with Linux, the only problem you face is with the touchpad. To solve it, be sure to turn off the advanced touchpad mode in BIOS settings. We tried installing Lubuntu 18.04 LTS on this machine, and it works like a charm. The reason being, Lubuntu is a very lightweight Distro and comes with the added benefit of Ubuntu’s extensive package repository.

Choosing the best Acer Laptops for Linux – A Buyer’s Guide

While Linux is quite versatile, not all of its Distros will support every hardware. You may need additional drivers to solve compatibility issues. Still, some features may not work. After reading these tips, we hope you will be able to make an educated purchase that works best for you. So, read on!

Know what you need
The very first step is knowing what piece of hardware you need for your specific task. Yes, Linux is extra flexible with hardware, so you can look for accessories (or drivers) that can enhance your experience and offer a smooth operation. Moreover, consider what issues you faced on your previous machine, and then select a model with specs that overcome those issues. The best practice is to look at standard hardware specifications like processing power and RAM. Linux doesn’t require much space, but taking HDD into consideration is not a bad idea either.

Go for Preinstalled Linux Laptops
Linux-ready laptops (like Acer Aspire NX mentioned above) take all the hard work out of setting up your machine. All you have to do is to turn it on, boot the OS, and booyah, you’re ready to go. Now, there are two problems with Linux-ready laptops. First, you only get popular Distros. Less common niche Distro-like, for instance, GoboLinux doesn’t come pre-installed. Secondly, they have limited hardware specs making them difficult to work with high-end professional work.

Check Linux Compatibility
If you are going for a model that comes with Windows OS, be sure to check out its particular Linux Distro compatibility and any known driver issues. Several Distros have a list of compatible laptops eliminating the uncertainty. Due to the open-source nature of Linux, it is very easy to find detailed information about any compatibility issues. You can visit dedicated forums or reliable websites like LinuxHint for troubleshooting.

Check Additional Features
Nowadays, laptops come with bells and whistles. There are touch screens, fingerprint readers, additional LCDs, and much more. While all of these features may work like a charm with pre-installed OS, they may not work that great with Linux. Therefore, you should ensure that your Linux Distro is compatible with it for a smooth performance. For example, Ubuntu works great with touch screens and fingerprint logins. Still, it may require additional drivers for your laptop webcam.

Final Thoughts

That is all, folks. This is all about the best Acer laptops for Linux. The products mentioned above are picked after extensive research based on our personal experience and general public reviews. We tried to accommodate all budgets. From high-end and expensive Acer Aspire E 15 and Acer Swift 3 to low-cost and beginner-friendly Acer Chromebook 514, you will definitely find a suitable match here. While most of them come pre-installed with Windows, you shouldn’t have any trouble running Linux. Just make sure you keep in mind all of the limitations mentioned in this article. Don’t forget to check the related articles on LinuxHint for more information. All the best!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is Acer a nightmare for Linux distros?
Well, not really. It all depends on which model you chose for your work. If you go with a Linux-ready Acer laptop like Aspire NX we mentioned above, there’s no hassle at all. However, their feature set may not suit your needs. On the plus side, all the laptops we mentioned here pair very well with Linux. You can install any Linux distro on these machines without much effort.

2. Does Acer support Linux?
Well, Acer is a laptop manufacturer. It has several laptop lineups catering to the needs of different people. Depending on which Acer laptop model you go for, it may or may not support a particular Linux distro. But, all the models mentioned here support Linux so that you can select any of the above.

3. Will Installing Linux on my new Acer laptop affect the warranty?
Not at all. Acer is different from other laptop manufacturers who nullify their warranty on installing another Operating System. As per the official Acer website, Installing Linux on your Windows Acer laptop will not void your warranty. Therefore you can install any Linux distro without any worry.

4. Can I install Ubuntu on my Acer laptop?
If you have any of the laptops mentioned above, you can pretty much install any Linux distro on it.

5. How to dual boot my Acer laptop (windows + Ubuntu)?
We will be covering that in a separate article. Watch this space! (I will write an SEO article on the topic this month, please link it here then)

6. What’s the best Linux for my old Acer Laptop?
Depending on your uses, I suggest Debian-based Linux Operating System such as Ubuntu (or Kubuntu, Lubuntu, and Xubuntu are also good options) or go with Linux Mint.

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