Hi everyone, I’m Artyom, co-founder of Zorin OS. We’ve been testing the Framework Laptop to check its compatibility with Zorin OS, and wanted to share our findings with you.
We’ve created a page on our Help site with setup instructions and tips for using Zorin OS on the Framework Laptop 13 and 16 models:
Special thanks to the Framework team for kindly providing us with a Framework Laptop 16 and Framework Laptop 13 with Intel Core 11th & 12th Generation Mainboards for testing!
Hello @AZorin, first, thank you for taking time to test ZorinOS on the framework laptop !
I will soon receive mine but it’s a 12th Gen Intel, do you have a release date of Zorin 16.2 ? I’ve not found any information on your blog…
Thank you !
Hi @Jerome_Barbato, we’re tentatively planning to release Zorin OS 16.2 within the next month.
While we haven’t tested it first-hand yet, you should technically be able to boot a Zorin OS 16.1 USB Install Drive and install Zorin OS 16.1 to a Framework Laptop with 12th Gen Intel. After the installation is complete, you can to install the latest updates from the Software Updater to get the latest drivers and better hardware support for the newer Framework Laptop model.
Will Zorin OS 16.2 have Kernel 5.19.13 or newer?
Hi @AZorin thank you for your answer ! As soon as I get it I will give it a try and give you updates on this thread.
Update to 16.2 will require a fresh install ?
Thank you for your work ! Zorin is a very nice OS
@Second_Coming It will have the Linux Kernel version 5.15 (Long Term Support) which is the same version as in Ubuntu 22.04
Thanks @Jerome_Barbato! You’ll be able to upgrade to Zorin OS 16.2 by simply installing the latest updates from the Software Updater from Zorin OS 16.1. The upgraded Linux Kernel release – which will be included in Zorin OS 16.2 – is already available as a software update to all Zorin OS 16 users, so you should get better support for the new Framework Laptop as soon as you install Zorin OS and the software updates.
We’ve just released Zorin OS 16.2 today, which adds better support for the 12th Gen Intel Core variant of the Framework Laptop. You can find more details about this release here:
@AZorin Does it have nvidia egpu working out of the box or do we need to install additional packages and drivers?
We haven’t tested eGPU support so can’t 100% confirm whether it works on the Framework Laptop. However, as Zorin OS is based on Ubuntu, it should have the same level of support for hardware like eGPUs.
Not home yet to test egu but did notice 16.2 still requires the hid_sensor_hub to be blacklisted in order for the brightness keys to work. Not a big deal but for those that need it here is the fix.
Thanks @Alex6! I’ve updated the original post (at the top of this thread) with a note about the ambient light sensor and brightness keys on the 12th Gen Intel Core variant of the Framework Laptop.
Framework Laptop is mentioned in the Zorin OS blog. That’s nice.
Stronger security and better hardware compatibility
Many built-in system technologies have received improvements for better security, compatibility, and performance.
Zorin OS 16.2 is now powered by the same version of the Linux kernel as in Ubuntu 22.04 and comes with new drivers, bringing even better support for hardware such as:
- NVIDIA graphics cards, including the GeForce RTX 4090
- AMD Radeon and Intel graphics cards
- Framework Laptop with 12th Generation Intel Processors
- Xbox One Controller
- Apple Magic Mouse
- USB4
- More Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and audio devices
@AZorin thanks for updating the post with the instructions.
Unfortunately no luck so far getting my egpu with a Nvidia 2080 super. Spent hours trying everything I could find online but no luck. I’m going to keep trying but some assistance would be amazing. I know many people bought the framework to be able to use an egpu with it so I’m not alone.
If there is a better place to post assistance with this please let me know. Also what logs I should share.
Thanks for all your work on Zorin especially with the framework.
Everything else runs and works perfectly with 12th gen from my testing
Hello,
Im looking at purchasing a Framework Laptop 16, does Zorin OS work on it out of the box? Since it supports Ubuntu and the Laptop 13 worked just fine (minus suspend) I believe it should work but I just want to check.
Thanks.
Hi @Zyzzyx_9141 ,
Welcome to the community! 
For better visibility of your question regard Framework 16 with Zorin OS, maybe also try posting here as well Hardware Support - Zorin Forum
cheers!
Hi @Zyzzyx_9141,
My apologies for the late reply, I only saw your reply now.
Unfortunately I am not able to confirm whether the Framework Laptop 16 works with Zorin OS out of the box as we don’t have access to a unit and haven’t heard from any users who have attempted running it.
I’ll contact the Framework team to check if they’re able to test a copy of Zorin OS 17.1 on a Framework Laptop 16.
Hi @Zyzzyx_9141 , my FW 16 is currently in production (batch 14) and I plan on installing Zorin 17.1 on it just as soon as I can. I’m currently debating whether to do hardware testing using the supported Ubuntu build first or just diving into Zorin from day 1, but I’ve been using Zorin as my daily driver for a little while now and intend to keep it that way
When I do get it going, I intend to post over in the FW 16 forums
Thanks both of you for responding, I am exited to hear if it works for you guys.
I am running 17.1 pro on my framework 16 with no graphics module. I followed the Ubuntu setup guide on the framework website and everything is (mostly) working. The only issue I am having is when using Firefox or libre office there is a os freeze every so often for about 30 seconds. It’s quite annoying. I haven’t had a chance to do a lot of troubleshooting yet though so it may be a simple fix. Zorin support suggested updating to the latest kernel but that hasn’t fixed the issue.