Here’s the thing. A Linux device is any gadget that runs Linux.
Linux is an open-source system. People can read the code. People can fix it.
So you get control. And lots of choices. Sometimes that’s amazing. Sometimes it’s a headache.
If you want an even deeper dive, I put together another hands-on breakdown that explores the question in detail.
I use these devices every day. At home. At work. On a plane.
Some are tiny. Some are loud. Some just sit in a closet and hum.
Let me explain with real stuff I own and use.
My Daily Crew of Linux Things
- Raspberry Pi 4 on my shelf
- Lenovo ThinkPad T480 with Ubuntu
- Steam Deck for games
- Synology DS220+ NAS for backups
- TP-Link Archer C7 router with OpenWrt
- Google Pixel phone (yep, Android runs a Linux kernel)
I didn’t buy them all at once. It took years. And a few screw-ups.
Pro tip: I’ve saved a ton by snagging second-hand ThinkPads, routers, and random SBCs from local classifieds. A super handy way to browse every regional Craigslist board in one place is this master directory of Craigslist sites—jump over there and you’ll get quick links to every city’s listings so you can scope out deals on Linux-friendly gear without hopping tabs for days. Likewise, folks in the Rhode Island area shouldn’t overlook the regional swap boards—scrolling through the computer corner on Backpage Pawtucket can reveal surprise deals on gently-used ThinkPads, Raspberry Pis, and networking hardware that sellers are eager to move fast.
Raspberry Pi 4: My Tiny Helper
This little board runs Raspbian (a Linux flavor).
I use it for Pi-hole. It blocks ads on my home network.
Setup took one hour. I flashed a microSD card. I plugged it in. (If you’d rather follow a step-by-step walkthrough, this comprehensive guide on setting up Pi-hole on a Raspberry Pi 4 lays it all out with screenshots.)
It felt like LEGO for grown-ups, but not scary.
What I loved: it sips power; it just runs.
What bugged me: cheap cards can fail. I had one die mid-movie night.
The fix: I now use a small SSD. No drama since.
A side note: last December I used it for holiday lights.
I ran Home Assistant on it and timed the tree. Was it extra? Yes.
Was it fun? Also yes.
ThinkPad T480 with Ubuntu: My Workhorse
This laptop runs Ubuntu LTS. It’s my writing and “fix stuff” machine.
I use the terminal a lot. SSH into servers. Git for drafts.
My package manager is apt. I type apt update like muscle memory.
What I loved: battery life is steady; trackpad feels fine; drivers just work.
What bugged me: the fingerprint reader was cranky after an update.
I had to reinstall the driver. Five minutes lost. Coffee went cold. Life goes on.
I use VS Code, Firefox, and a camera app for calls.
It runs cool. It sleeps well. It wakes fast. Not flashy. Just solid.
Steam Deck: Linux, But Make It Fun
SteamOS is based on Arch Linux. Fancy, right?
I played Hades on a plane. I mapped buttons. I felt clever.
Most games worked fine. A few needed tweaks in Proton.
That part felt nerdy. But not too nerdy.
What I loved: suspend and resume is magic. I hit sleep mid-boss.
What bugged me: storage fills fast. Big games eat space.
I added a microSD card. Crisis averted.
Funny bit: I used it as a mini PC once. Dock. Keyboard. Done.
Browsed the web. Answered email. Felt weird, but it worked.
Synology DS220+: My Quiet Vault
This NAS runs a Linux-based system called DSM.
It holds family photos, video clips, and work files.
I set it to sync at night. It hums like a cat.
What I loved: snapshots saved me after I deleted a folder.
What bugged me: the first RAID build took hours.
I kept checking it like a loaf of bread. That doesn’t help, by the way.
I also run small Docker apps on it. Nothing wild.
If you’re thinking about spinning up your own media library, this guide on installing Jellyfin on Kali Linux shows the process step-by-step and the quirks you might hit.
A media server, a note server. Simple, steady, boring in a good way.
Router with OpenWrt: Because I Like Control
I flashed my TP-Link Archer C7 with OpenWrt. (The detailed instructions for installing OpenWrt on the TP-Link Archer C7 router saved my bacon.)
It’s Linux under the hood. The web UI is clean.
I set custom DNS, guest Wi-Fi, and SQM for gaming.
Lag dropped. Happy house.
What I loved: I can see everything. Logs. Load. Heat.
What bugged me: I once bricked it with a bad build.
I held a paperclip in the reset hole and prayed. It came back.
Lesson learned: read release notes; keep a spare router.
Android Phone: The Linux You Forget About
My Pixel runs a Linux kernel. Most folks don’t think about it.
I do, sometimes. Backups, permissions, files—it all feels familiar.
I use Termux now and then to run tiny scripts.
It’s nerd candy, but handy when I travel.
So… What Makes a Device “Linux”?
- It runs the Linux kernel. That’s the core.
- It uses packages. Think apps, but managed by the system.
- It can be open and flexible. You can tweak a lot.
- It can also be fussy. You may tweak a lot.
That last part sounds like a knock. It isn’t.
Choice is power. But choice means work. And that’s fair.
What I Love About Linux Devices
- They last longer. Older gear stays useful.
- You can fix stuff yourself. Forums help a ton.
- They’re great for learning. You see how things fit.
What Still Bugs Me
- Random driver drama after updates
- Too many ways to do one thing
- Some games and apps need extra steps
I know, that’s a short list. But small pains add up.
I keep notes. I keep backups. And I breathe.
Should You Use One?
If you like control, yes.
If you like quiet tools that work, also yes.
If you hate menus and settings, maybe start small.
Begin with a Raspberry Pi project.
Or try Ubuntu on an old laptop.
Or maybe test-drive Linux on FydeOS if you’ve got a spare Chromebook-style machine lying around.
Or just get a Steam Deck and play. You’ll learn by doing.
For extra inspiration and in-depth looks at various desktop distributions, check out Desktop Linux Reviews for practical, hands-on impressions.
Quick Tips From My Couch
- Keep a USB stick with installers ready
- Write down Wi-Fi and router details
- Use SSDs with Pis; they last
- Update on a slow day, not during a big task
- Back up before you click anything wild
Final Word From Me
A Linux device is a tool you can shape.
Some days it sings. Some days it sulks.
But it’s yours in a real way.
Honestly, that’s why I stick with them.
They make me feel like I’m part of the work, not just a user.
And you know what? That feeling keeps me curious.
Curious is good.