looking for an out of the box laptop with Ubuntu...

[rcastle]

That is:

300-500USD in price
NOT Dual Boot
Really is a laptop.
I dont have to configure drivers etc. to make it work.
Made in (or at least Built in) the USA
able to load web pages fassst.
headache free.

[rcastle]

This would be my first Linux pc so the non headaches part is really important to me.

[rbmorse]

At your price point, it's going to be tough to find a brand new machine.

Add $1K and you can get a Dell Developer's edition. Meets your specs exactly. They are very nice units, well built and you won't outgrow it for the foreseeable future.

The only other out of the box solution I know about is System 76. Their lowest price machine prices at $900 USD, buy I'd want to add options or step up to the next level. You might try contacting them to see if they have any referb'd or used machined available at your price point.

[Autodave]

+1 with rbmorse: you need a bigger wallet. If you cannot increase your budget, look for a refurb unit that works well with Ubuntu.

[DuckHook]

https://itsfoss.com/get-linux-laptops/

[kc1di]

It's going to be very difficult to meet your requirements with your budget. My laptop of choice for ubuntu is a Lenovo t450 you can get them referbed for around $300. They are not US made but they are well built. Check out the prices on one at newegg.com Good luck in your search

[kurt18947]

The only U.S. sources for factory installed Ubuntu are system 76 & ZaReason and both vendors start above your budget. +1 for off-lease Lenovo Thinkpads. Get one with easy returns, I had to return one due to several inoperative keys. If you make sure the laptop has Intel WiFi - some have Broadcom which can be problematic - installing Ubuntu as the only O.S. is pretty straightforward. Perhaps the most unfamiliar part will be creating install media, either DVD or USB. I'm typing this on an Ebay refurb T-430, I have less than $130 in it including bringing the RAM up to 8 GB. Dell 'business class' machines are reputed to be pretty Ubuntu friendly as well though I have no first-hand experience with Dell.

[CatKiller]

Yep, that budget is too small for having Linux pre-installed. It's either going to come from a specialist supplier - so, low volume - or it's going to be a line that makes it worth having a separate production line - so, premium. Either path will be more expensive than a production run that has a bajillion identical low-end Windows machines.

My Developer Edition XPS 13 was entirely painless (other than the price).

As well as making sure you have Intel WiFi, I'd also advise against hybrid graphics. It's just a pain. A single on-chip graphics device from Intel or AMD will be much more straightforward.

[crip720]

With what you want to pay, your choice is either a used one or one with Windows on it. I have had good luck with Acer Aspire line, but try to get an Intel one. I just install Ubuntu and go. Most problems come from the chair.