Linux outsells Windows 10-to-1 in Framework Laptop 12 preorders
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19.08.2026 19:19
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2 min read
Framework, the modular computer maker, has seen unusually strong demand for the Framework Laptop 12 with Fedora Linux preinstalled. Orders for the version with the open-source OS are running more than ten times higher than for the equivalent configuration with Windows 11.
The unusual preorder ratio reflects Framework’s community: a customer survey found that about 80% of owners of the brand’s devices use Linux distributions. That prompted the company to offer, for the first time, a factory build with Fedora 44 KDE Plasma Desktop preinstalled.
Factory Linux support and price difference
To ensure seamless operation, engineers added fingerprint reader support via the libfprint library, BIOS updates through fwupd, and optimized the touchscreen in tablet mode.
Pricing also influenced the order split: the base ready-made version with Fedora sells for $699, while choosing a Windows 11 Home license adds $100 to the total (bringing it to $799).
This is the second time this year that Framework has seen such a trend: in the spring, preorders for the flagship Laptop 13 Pro with Ubuntu also significantly outpaced sales of the Microsoft OS versions.
Specs and modular base on Intel Wildcat Lake
According to The Verge, the updated Laptop 12 now uses Intel Core Series 3 (Wildcat Lake) processors, up to Core 7. The new platform with the Core 5 320 chip boosts battery life by 70% when streaming 4K video compared to the previous generation.
As Notebookcheck reports, the laptop features two Thunderbolt 4 ports, Wi-Fi 7, up to 64GB of DDR5-6400 RAM, and an M.2 2230 SSD up to 2TB. The design also adds a backlit keyboard and a fingerprint reader in the power button.
The motherboard and input components remain fully modular and compatible with the first-generation Laptop 12 chassis. First shipments to customers are scheduled for October 2026.
