Summary
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Framework’s Ubuntu-configured laptops outsell Windows models and sell several batches.
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Customers prefer Linux-ready modular laptops, with eight batches of Ubuntu selling fast.
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The culture of tinkering, Windows 11 bugs and the $140 license cost probably drove buyers to Ubuntu.
It’s always nice to see a hardware company selling a laptop with Linux pre-installed. Of course, there’s nothing stopping you from buying a Windows laptop and installing Linux on it; however, you may find yourself paying more for a Windows license that you won’t use. Selling Linux-ready laptops not only eliminates installation, but can also offer a cheaper alternative.
Such is the case with Framework, which sells modular laptops that can be equipped with Windows, Linux, or, if you really want to start from scratch, no operating system at all. Now, the company reports that Ubuntu laptops are flying off the shelves faster than Windows, which is great news for fans of open source software.
Ubuntu Framework laptops outsell Windows
Ubuntu models are cleaned
In the Framework X thread, the company announced that they have sold six out of eight batches of Ubuntu Framework notebooks. Seven hours after making the post, Framework will respond to it and announce that the eighth and final batch has been sold.
The most interesting news from this X post is the Frame that “Ubuntu configurations outsell Windows”. This is a complete reversal of traditional expectations of Linux being a niche choice and Windows having the highest market share. Unfortunately, Framework doesn’t say how much Ubuntu outperforms Windows, so we don’t know if both models are selling out quickly or if Windows laptops are gathering dust on a shelf somewhere. Either way, it’s nice to see Ubuntu win here, even if we don’t know by how much.
But what about the change in attitude? Well, there are many reasons why the Ubuntu version is better than the Windows version. Because of the modular design of the Framework laptop, I suspect its customers are also more open to tinkering with software. Microsoft isn’t doing itself any favors either, as Windows 11 has been plagued with some pretty nasty bugs and quality control issues lately. There’s always the fact that the Framework lets you know how much you have to pay for a Windows 11 license, so people may not want to pay $140 for the operating system.
