Unix hardware vendors: servers and computers for Unix and Linux
Twenty years ago every Unix vendor built its own processors and machines. Today most Unix-like systems run on standard x86 or Arm hardware, and only two proprietary Unix platforms are still made.
Proprietary Unix platforms
| Platform | Operating systems | Status |
|---|---|---|
| IBM Power servers (Power10, Power11) | AIX, IBM i, Linux | Actively developed |
| Oracle SPARC servers (M8, T8) | Solaris | Sold and supported, no new processor generations announced since 2017 |
| HPE Integrity (Itanium) | HP-UX, OpenVMS | Discontinued; HP-UX standard support ended 2025 |
Older platforms such as SGI MIPS, DEC Alpha and Data General AViiON are covered on the Unix help pages.
Servers for Linux and BSD
Every major server maker sells x86 servers certified for Red Hat Enterprise Linux, SUSE Linux Enterprise and Ubuntu: Dell PowerEdge, HPE ProLiant, Lenovo ThinkSystem, Supermicro, Fujitsu and others. Arm servers (Ampere processors) and cloud instances are increasingly common too.
Before buying, check:
- The vendor's certification lists for your distribution: Red Hat Ecosystem Catalog, SUSE YES certified hardware, Ubuntu certified hardware.
- That the RAID controller, network cards and management controller have drivers in the standard kernel, so you are not tied to out-of-tree modules.
- How long the vendor provides firmware updates, especially for the management controller.
- For FreeBSD and OpenBSD, the projects' hardware notes for the release you plan to use.
Laptops and desktops with Linux
Most PCs run Linux well, but buying from a company that ships Linux pre-installed avoids surprises with Wi-Fi, sleep and fingerprint readers:
- System76 (United States): laptops and desktops with Pop!_OS or Ubuntu.
- Framework: repairable, modular laptops with good Linux support.
- TUXEDO Computers (Germany): Linux laptops and desktops for Europe.
- Slimbook (Spain): Linux laptops and mini PCs.
- Dell and Lenovo sell some business models with Ubuntu or Fedora pre-installed; others are certified for Linux.
To test a machine before you buy or install, boot a live USB stick (how to) and check Wi-Fi, graphics, sound, suspend and external displays.
Single-board computers
Raspberry Pi and similar Arm boards run Linux and the BSDs for a few dozen euros, ideal for learning, home servers and small appliances.
Used and refurbished hardware
Refurbished business servers and workstations are an economical way to build a lab. Check that firmware updates are still available, budget for new disks, and remember that old servers use a lot of electricity. For legacy Unix hardware, specialised resellers stock parts for Power, SPARC and Itanium systems that are no longer made.