Maybe it really is the year of Linux, as Framework claims more people are buying Ubuntu versions of its new laptop than Windows options

In what’s looking to be The Year of Linux (TM) as well as the year of the RAMpocalypse and future market uncertainty, it’s perhaps not surprising that some would try to get their hands on a solid, performant, and most importantly modular and upgradeable laptop that plays well with Linux. Though I will admit to still being a little surprised to see that, according to Framework, those who are ordering the new Framework 13 Pro are buying more of the Ubuntu-flavoured version than the Windows ones.

The official Framework account posted on X:

“Framework Laptop 13 Pro is selling far above our forecast, and we’ve sold out of the first six batches already. Also nice validation of our approach, the Ubuntu configurations are outselling the Windows ones!”

The company describes the Framework 13 Pro as the “MacBook Pro for Linux users”, and I can see why. Judging from the specs, it has a great screen that shines at up to 700 nits, has tons of battery life thanks to the Panther Lake chips and 74 Wh battery, and fits everything inside a sleek and premium aluminium chassis.

We’ve already seen lots of love for the laptop from the Linux community. GloriousEggRoll of Proton GE and Nobara Linux fame, for instance, said he’s enjoying it and its “freakishly good battery life.” CachyOS, too, posted that “it finally feels like a genuinely premium Framework.”

Admittedly, there’s likely to be a disproportionate weighting towards Linux lovers to begin with, at least compared to your average laptop, given Framework machines are known to have great out-of-the-box Linux compatibility. It also makes sense that Linux users, who tend to like having more control over their operating system than in Windows, would like the modular and upgradable Framework approach.

Setting aside the weighting towards Linux, that the Framework is apparently selling out in general might also be a little surprising given it’s far from a cheap machine. But the market might have something to do with that. With PC, laptop, and component prices being so expensive and the future looking so uncertain, some might want to get in with a purchase as soon as possible, not willing to risk future price hikes or stock issues. We’ve already seen signs of this with PC purchases, for instance.

And if there were ever a safe bet to get in the world of laptops it would be a Framework machine which you can upgrade once all this shortage malarkey has blown over—in theory, anyway.