For Linux on the refreshed Framework Laptop 12, Framework’s guidance names Fedora and Ubuntu as official partner distributions and requires kernel 7.1 or newer for the Core Series 3 platform with Intel BE213 Wi-Fi. Fedora 44 KDE Plasma Desktop was announced as a preloaded option for selected refreshed prebuilt configurations, not every Laptop 12 build. Framework’s Linux support policy and Core Series 3 guidance set the practical baseline.
Framework’s Linux support and kernel guidance
A Linux distribution, or distro, packages the Linux kernel with the software and tools that make a complete operating system. Framework lists Fedora and Ubuntu as official partners, with engineering collaboration and official customer support. Other distributions fall under a community-supported tier, which has different validation and support terms.
For the refreshed Laptop 12, Framework specifies Linux kernel 7.1 or newer for the Core Series 3 platform and its Intel BE213 Wi-Fi 7 module. That requirement is specific to this hardware combination. Check that a distribution’s kernel meets it before choosing an installation for the refreshed model.
On August 18, 2026, Framework announced Fedora 44 KDE Plasma Desktop as the preloaded option on selected refreshed prebuilt configurations. Buyers choosing a DIY configuration can select and install an operating system themselves. The Fedora announcement describes an option, not a requirement to use Fedora.
What the Fedora reports describe
The reported Fedora experiences cover different setups and generations. In a review discussing the Laptop 12, Jack Wallen reported that the standard Fedora image he tried did not recognize the built-in Wi-Fi, while a Framework-customized Fedora image worked. He also described severe typing lag in Firefox and said Firefox Nightly was a workaround in his setup.
In a separate review of an original-generation Laptop 12, Just Josh reported that Fedora 42 worked as expected for the speakers, brightness controls, webcam, trackpad and keyboard. That account gives a positive example from an earlier generation; it does not establish the result for the Core Series 3 model.
Choosing a Linux setup
If you want Framework’s official partner support, Fedora and Ubuntu are the named choices. For a refreshed Core Series 3 Laptop 12 with BE213 Wi-Fi, also check for kernel 7.1 or newer. If you prefer another distribution, Framework places it in a different support tier with different validation terms.
PCWorld’s Alex Wawro reviews the refreshed Laptop 12, including its Fedora configuration, repair access and modular expansion ports.
