I am considering purchasing a second-generation Framework 16 (Ryzen AI 7 350 processor with iGPU). I am a big fan of the Debian distribution, which I would like to use on this PC.
Unfortunately, I have read quite a few user reviews here and there about people struggling with Debian on Framework 16. See, for example:
Are these problems still relevant? Are there any satisfied Debian users on Framework 16 here?
If I have to install a testing version (Forky) to get newer software, thatâs not an issue for me.
Thank you in advance for your feedback and insights.
The problems encountered in that review and in others are just as relevant now as they were then. Debian focuses on stability and security, and part of how they define stability is keeping package versions mostly static over the course of a release, including the kernel. Kernel 6.12 was released in November 2024, just a few months after the launch date for the Ryzen AI 300 series. There are almost certainly performance or stability fixes in newer kernel versions that never made their way back to kernel 6.12.
Outside of our usual line about officially supported distributions, I would personally recommend trying to steer toward newer kernel and software versions when working with newer hardware, unless your hardware lines up perfectly with a fresh Debian release. Your best bet, if you do want to try Debian on a Framework Laptop is Testing or even Unstable (Sid) if youâre specifically aiming to have newer software versions. Of course that statement comes with the addendum of âYour Mileage May Varyâ. You might find using a newer kernel on Debian Stable is a better solution for you like in the linked review.
Iâve personally had the best experience with Fedora-based distros on our Ryzen AI 300 hardware offerings, but explore and experiment with what you like most.
Debian offers linux-image-amd64 6.18.12 in trixie-backports, and also firmware-amd-graphics 2025-11-11 (and other firmware packages youâll want). If you use Debian stable (13 / trixie) you should definitely use kernel and firmware from backports, and it may work just fine. See Debian backports instructions
It may be worth updating the title of this thread to indicate that the relevant FW16 is the âRyzen AIâ flavor - I run Debian Trixie (stable / 13) on a 1st gen FW16 (Ryzen 7 7840HS) without any need for backport packages and it works quite well. Since the mainboard differences are quite large between 1st and 2nd gen, and the mainboard is the primary factor in Linux/distribution support, itâs almost more important to distinguish between mainboards than laptop models.
Initially, I was considering the first generation Framework 16, as the Ryzen 7 7840HS processor and its integrated graphics card offer better performance. But two acquaintances who own a first-generation Framework 16 and use GNU/Linux told me they had encountered temporary freezing and stability issues with the 780M card. They also told me that the cooling system had been redesigned between the two generations of Framework. This led me to favor the second generation.
Using Debian Forky (testing), I will now have a Linux kernel 6.18.15 and version 20260110 of the firmware-amd-graphics package, which are even newer versions than those indicated by @pierce, available in the Debian backports repository.
No problem. Iâd also want to give you just one other heads up. There are a few graphical bugs you may run into with the AMD integrated graphics until kernel 7.0 is available. Thereâs a bug involving screen flickering that gets triggered under very specific but not uncommon conditions. A patch has been made, but itâs not in current kernel versions.
Also something else worth noting is that you can significantly improve the WiFi situation on any Debian with this tool by Zac Bowling, at least if using a kernel version that doesnât include these fixes already.
My wife and I just setup her new Framework 16 (Ryzen AI 7 350) with Debian testing upgraded to sid and everything seems to be good. Still in the process of setting everything up, but WiFi is working now (I think rfkill was blocking it initially and I was looking for the device in the wrong place when debugging, but allâs well that ends well), the installation of the NVIDIA upstream driver (by adding the repo described here) worked, and overall the system feels smooth. She set it up as a dual-boot with Windows, so needless to say most of the setup time was spent waiting for Windows to finish their endless reboots and upgrades and whatever.
Iâll report back here with more info as she uses the laptop more and as we install/configure/play with more things.
lol funnily enough, when I first switched from Ubuntu to Debian sid, I had fewer problems. Overall, itâs been a rock-solid experience and itâs what I pretty much always install when I have a choice You should try it sometime
Shortly after our conversation, I bought a Framework 16 (Ryzen AI flavor). I received it 8 days ago. I installed Debian Forky (the current beta version, with a Linux kernel 6.19) and havenât encountered any issues. Everything worked right out of the boxâvideo, Wi-Fi and sound. The only thing I havenât tested yet is suspend mode.
At this point, Iâm thrilled with my choice.
A big thank you to everyone for your advice, which helped me take the plunge and buy a durable, repairable machine that aligns with my environmental concerns.
).
You should try it sometime