Linux on the Framework Laptop

A Framework Laptop surrounded by Linux distributions logos

We designed the Framework Laptop from the outset to be a great Linux laptop, and the Framework Laptop DIY Edition comes with no OS loaded to let you bring your favorite Linux distribution. We deliberately selected components and modules that didn’t require new kernel driver development and have been providing distro maintainers with pre-release hardware to test to improve compatibility. We’re also working on enabling firmware updates through LVFS to complete the Linux experience.

We and members of the Framework Community Linux sub-forum have been testing a range of Linux distributions for compatibility with the Framework Laptop to highlight the ones that work best. If you don’t see the distro you’re looking for, check the Community for more guides. You can install these to your internal drive, run most of them from a Live USB, or even install them to our high speed Storage Expansion Cards.

There are tradeoffs between different distributions, especially if you’re on the latest hardware. Some distributions like Fedora have aggressive kernel update policies, which means you’ll have the latest driver optimizations, but also greater risk that an update can cause regressions. Other distributions like Ubuntu LTS have more conservative update policies, and are more likely to remain stable as you perform updates.

You can check out our Knowledgebase article for more information about our officially supported Linux distributions versus the compatible community supported distributions.

Framework Laptop 13 (AMD Ryzen™ 7040 Series) Compatibility
Officially supported
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
Works out of the box
Works out of the box
Fingerprint Reader
Works with workarounds
Works with workarounds
Stability
Some Risk
Some Risk
Ease of Setup
Easy
Easy
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
Works out of the box
Works out of the box
Fingerprint Reader
Works with workarounds
Works with workarounds
Stability
Stable
Stable
Ease of Setup
Easy
Easy
Compatible community supported
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
Works with workarounds
Works with workarounds
Fingerprint Reader
Works with workarounds
Works with workarounds
Stability
Some Risk
Some Risk
Ease of Setup
Medium difficulty
Framework Laptop 16 (AMD Ryzen™ 7040 Series) Compatibility
Officially supported
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
Works out of the box
Works out of the box
Fingerprint Reader
Works out of the box
Works out of the box
Stability
Some Risk
Some Risk
Ease of Setup
Easy
Easy
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
Works out of the box
Works out of the box
Fingerprint Reader
Works out of the box
Works out of the box
Stability
Stable
Stable
Ease of Setup
Easy
Easy
Compatible community supported
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
Works with workarounds
Works with workarounds
Fingerprint Reader
Works with workarounds
Works with workarounds
Stability
Some Risk
Some Risk
Ease of Setup
Medium difficulty
Medium difficulty
Framework Laptop 13 (13th Gen Intel® Core™) Compatibility
Officially supported
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
Works out of the box
Works out of the box
Fingerprint Reader
Works with workarounds
Works with workarounds
Stability
Some Risk
Some Risk
Ease of Setup
Easy
Easy
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
Works out of the box
Works out of the box
Fingerprint Reader
Works with workarounds
Works with workarounds
Stability
Some Risk
Some Risk
Ease of Setup
Easy
Easy
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
Works out of the box
Works out of the box
Fingerprint Reader
Works with workarounds
Works with workarounds
Stability
Stable
Stable
Ease of Setup
Easy
Easy
Compatible community supported
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
Works out of the box
Works out of the box
Fingerprint Reader
Not officially supported
Not officially supported
Stability
Some Risk
Some Risk
Ease of Setup
Medium difficulty
Medium difficulty
Setup guide unavailable
Setup guide unavailable
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
Works out of the box
Works out of the box
Fingerprint Reader
Not officially supported
Not officially supported
Stability
Some Risk
Some Risk
Ease of Setup
Easy
Easy
Setup guide unavailable
Setup guide unavailable
Framework Laptop 13 (12th Gen Intel® Core™) Compatibility
Officially supported
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
Works out of the box
Works out of the box
Fingerprint Reader
Works with workarounds
Works with workarounds
Stability
Some Risk
Some Risk
Ease of Setup
Easy
Easy
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
Works out of the box
Works out of the box
Fingerprint Reader
Works out of the box
Works out of the box
Stability
Some Risk
Some Risk
Ease of Setup
Easy
Easy
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
Works out of the box
Works out of the box
Fingerprint Reader
Works out of the box
Works out of the box
Stability
Stable
Stable
Ease of Setup
Easy
Easy
Compatible community supported
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
Works out of the box
Works out of the box
Fingerprint Reader
Not officially supported
Not officially supported
Stability
Some Risk
Some Risk
Ease of Setup
Medium difficulty
Medium difficulty
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
Works out of the box
Works out of the box
Fingerprint Reader
Not officially supported
Not officially supported
Stability
Stable
Stable
Ease of Setup
Easy
Easy
Framework Laptop 13 (11th Gen Intel® Core™) Compatibility
Officially supported
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
Works out of the box
Works out of the box
Fingerprint Reader
Works with workarounds
Works with workarounds
Stability
Some Risk
Some Risk
Ease of Setup
Easy
Easy
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
Works out of the box
Works out of the box
Fingerprint Reader
Works out of the box
Works out of the box
Stability
Some Risk
Some Risk
Ease of Setup
Easy
Easy
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
Works out of the box
Works out of the box
Fingerprint Reader
Works out of the box
Works out of the box
Stability
Stable
Stable
Ease of Setup
Easy
Easy
Compatible community supported
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
Works out of the box
Works out of the box
Fingerprint Reader
Not officially supported
Not officially supported
Stability
Some Risk
Some Risk
Ease of Setup
Medium difficulty
Medium difficulty
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
Works out of the box
Works out of the box
Fingerprint Reader
Not officially supported
Not officially supported
Stability
Stable
Stable
Ease of Setup
Easy
Easy

Looking for another Linux distro?