I am a new Framework user and have been using Linux on and off for some time but the past few years I was using Windows exclusively. I just recently decided to see if I could make the switch and have been running Linux Mint on my HP desktop for about six months and I am not going back. I still have to keep a Windows disk around to run tax software but that’s all I need Windows for.
I tried Linux Mint, Fedora, Ubuntu and Elementary OS on the Framework and I am sticking with Elementary because it works the best for me. The only thing not working at the moment is the fingerprint reader but I can live without that.
I also tried a Windows install just to see how well it ran and I must say Windows 10 with the Framework driver pack worked very well.
All in all, very happy.
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I installed Kubuntu on my Framework as soon as I got it, and have been pretty happy so far. There are still some issues in Wayland with fractional scaling, external monitors, etc., so I’m sticking to X11 for now.
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This is kind of a fun thread and I am enjoying various posters’ stories.
Here’s mine for Framework:
- Dual boot on a partitioned 1TB SSD: Kubuntu and Win11
- The Kubuntu OS is also configured to run in VirtualBox under the Win11 host, just so I don’t have to boot back and forth.
- I use Windows for “ordinary” stuff like email and browsing, Kubuntu is for projects though I generally do them on a desktop Linux host.
Fwiw, I am an older hand than some. I started computing on Unix (there was no Linux at that time) of various commercial and academic flavors. It’s the only OS I like and my preferred interface is a terminal window and a vi editor, LOL. 
< david
I bought the Framework because I was sold on the idea of having control over several aspects of owning a computer. I can fix it when it breaks and upgrade it whenever I want, albeit with some caveats currently due to being such a new product. I also bought it for its modular capabilities. That being said, it only would seem right to have an OS that was modular by nature such as Linux.
I understand people don’t want to have to worry about whether it’s going to work out of the box on day one, especially if it’s going to be their daily driver. But the whole idea of getting this thing was to have the entire experience. If people want to fix their hardware, why not learn the inner workings of software to troubleshoot problems. I’ve installed several variations of Linux on this thing but where I learned the most was installing Arch Linux. It definitely didn’t work right out of the box and I had a hell of a time troubleshooting issues, but it was fun and educational. I wouldn’t want that experience to play out any differently.
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(Of course I think everyone should be switching to Linux these days, as the big distros are really stable now, but I’ll describe below why I think you see a lot of Linux content.)
I believe Framework was launched on a now well-understood model for entrepreneurship: the 1000 true fans model which was described by Kevin Kelly and promoted by entrepreneurial writers like Seth Godin. Framework’s strategy has not been to directly capture the market, but to create a product that directly targets the true fans, with whom the company has a direct connection through this forum. In order to survive, they don’t need to create products that satisfy everyone (although it helps) they merely need to do right by their true fans who believe in their mission and the team behind it, and consequently will spend money on their new products.
Their true fans likely lean Linux. That’s because this enthusiast space is underserved. Even Linux-focused manufacturers like System76 are not taking the radical risks that folks who believe in Open Source or Open Hardware would like to see. The people who are fired up about the Framework vision and want a radically different computing experience are less likely to be content with Microsoft or Apple.
Contrasting with those other manufacturers, I think that Framework has the ability to make drastic differences in the technologically Draconian world we live in. They are open to the community, are creating simple, easy to use products that I can set up for my family. These products have been meaningfully created to give me control over their hardware, software, and increasingly the firmware. Even if these benefits will not persuade every single person currently using a Mac or Windows system, that would be fine. Their company will succeed and we will be happy if they continue to grow and serve this community. In the meantime, “regular people” also benefit from these freedoms, so everybody wins!
I don’t care if Dell is making a modular laptop. I will refuse to buy from them as long as Framework does right by me. That’s the kind of fan base they are creating, and I’m ecstatic to be a part of it. I can’t wait to save up more money and buy another laptop for myself rather than my wife!
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I’m on FreeBSD! The support is quite impressive, save a few quirks that are documented.
Pros: ZFS by default, easy to install, minimal. Wayland + Chrome + Firefox work great. pkg is fantastic.
Cons: you must configure graphics driver and chose what window manager/compositor you want to use.
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