Hi- New here but I wasn’t able to figure out how to post to the new users introduction page.
Retired engineering technician here, I’m sick of having my laptops die every year or two and starting over because they aren’t cost effective to repair. Also sick of corporate OS and spyware and being “The Product.”
I want to get a framework I can keep alive for at least a decade by replacing parts as necessary, and want to run some version of Linux. I’ve dumped windows and am pretty happy with Mint (Debian edition- LMDE). I understand this may soon be a Framework officially supported OS?
My planned use for the computer is to be my main machine so it will do it all and I’m not a hardcore gamer. I plan to configure it with plenty of ram and storage and the 2.8K panel, and use it as both a portable machine and at home with real mouse and keyboard and monitor etc. Not sure which external monitor interface I should use for best results and least issues.
Anyway, on to the main issue- Which of the several versions of the Laptop 13 should I get if my main priority is to have minimal trouble with linux support and doing work-arounds? I seek a near trouble free experience with Linux- probably Ubuntu at least until Mint becomes supported? Also are there any configuration combinations to specifically favor or avoid? It looks like the 2.8K is only supported on the AMD and the Intel Ultra and I might give up on the 2.8K if it means having less issues. Also I’m not completely set on the 13, I could go with the 16 if for some reason it’s the obvious winner for what I’m looking for.
Both the 13 and 16 should have a upgrade path. the 13 have came out a few years, and have a few versions of boards available, and the 16 is new, so there is nothing for it yet.
You are probably slightly better off with the 13, given that there is a RISC-V board available for it, and I don’t think there is too much incentive for them to make one for the 16 as well.
12 and 11th gen have “community support” right now.
There is a thread about Mint on 7040
what even … ok hold on.
I mean it’s only $130 more. I personally don’t see any need to go beyond, especially on a 13 inch. And I’m on the 16 inch. But personal preference.
That’s a great question. We can find out right here.
But that’s the old mint. Mint 22 being based on Ubuntu 2404 should make it rather seamless.
I think it’s just a difficulty with putting actual official support into it. Linux come in so many flavors. I hope it doesn’t stretch their efforts too thin.
How many ports do you use typically?
I have actually used 4/5 ports at once – a Type-C for charging, and 3 type-As for various things, maybe a ethernet or display. And that was not at my desk, that would normally be not a problem, hubs and whatsnot.
Though, the 16 seem to have chassis bending issues and thermal issues. Maybe hold off for a while?
I also very much want a numpad. Plus, a $800+ laptop without a secondary SSD slot is unacceptable for me. So I went with the 16. Even with integrated, it’s quite capable, even running Unity 6 quite well.
The expansion bay/shell and the modular input cover are merely bonuses at this point.
I’ve been using Linux since 1996. I’ve tried many different Linux distributions and many of them are excellent. I’ve been using SuSE Linux since 1997 and haven’t used Windows since 2001. I’ve converted almost all of my friends and relatives from Windows or Macs to Linux. My Linux converts range in age from 6 to 98 and they recommend Linux to their friends. Framework notebooks are the only notebook computers I recommend and many of my friends have bought them and been very happy with them. You can buy cheaper notebook computers but when you factor in the potential lifespan of a Framework computer by the number of years you will be able to use it, you can’t buy a less expensive or better notebook computer.
I have installed openSUSE Slowroll Linux on 16” and 13” AMD Framework notebooks and it works very well on Frameworks with AMD processors. The 13” 2.8K screen looks great with Linux. Slowroll is a rolling release which supports the KDE, Gnome, and Xfce window managers. You can also use the Cinnamon, Enlightenment, IceWM, LXDE, LXQt, and MATE window managers with openSUSE Slowroll. Since Slowroll is a rolling release, it receives frequent Linux kernel updates, security updates, the latest drivers, and the latest versions of Linux application software.
I haven’t installed any other Linux distros on Framework notebooks but I think most of them will probably work quite well with Framework notebooks. I prefer the KDE Plasma window manager and, if you want to use one of the Linux distros that Framework currently supports, I would use the KDE version of Fedora or Kubuntu, the KDE version of Ubuntu. Linux Mint is another distro I’ve used and like, I would go with the LMDE version (Linux Mint based on Debian instead of Ubuntu).
I have assembled or upgraded thousands of desktop PCs and purchased hundreds of notebook computers in the past 42 years. Almost all of them used AMD processors from the AMD versions of the 8088 up to the current generation Ryzen cpus. Over the years I have found that AMD processors have fewer errata, fewer security flaws, better built-in graphics, usually better performance and lower power usage, and always offer better bang for the buck.
AMD supports Linux and Linux runs well on AMD products. I would only buy AMD-based Framework computers.
Linux user since 2007 (mostly on Ubuntu, though I’ve tried several others), and I’ll second @Linux_Fan on that: I’m partial to AMD products as well, and was very happy that the first FW16 release was based on AMD.
AMD systems run cooler and use less battery power for the same performance, or did when I was deciding which one to go with last year. Intel may have caught up on those items by now, I haven’t paid much attention recently.
Prior to buying the Framework 13, my experience with Linux was limited to “playing” with different distros in virtual machines. Any attempt to set up a Linux computer failed due to countless hours spent searching for tweaks, solutions, and general quality-of-life features that are standard on Windows-based PCs. Then, I learned about Framework and started reading forum posts and company announcements. I bought the FM13 AMD version when it first came out, intending to use it as a Fedora Linux computer exclusively. The decision was based on Framework’s support for Fedora and Linux in general. I don’t have nearly as much experience with Linux as the people who commented above, but I have used the AMD FM13 for over a year completely trouble-free.