Summary
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Laptops configured with Ubuntu Framework are outselling Windows models, selling out several batches.
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Customers prefer Linux-ready modular laptops, and eight lots of Ubuntu are selling out quickly.
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The tinkering culture, Windows 11 bugs, and $140 license cost likely pushed buyers to Ubuntu.
It’s always nice to see a hardware company sell laptops with Linux preinstalled. Sure, there’s nothing stopping you from buying a Windows laptop and installing Linux on it; However, you may have to pay more exclusively for the Windows license that you will not use. Selling Linux-ready laptops not only eliminates setup, but can also offer a cheaper alternative.
Such is the case of Framework, which sells modular laptops that can come with Windows, Linux or, if you really want to start from scratch, without any operating system. Now, the company reports that its Ubuntu laptops are flying off the shelves at a faster rate than Windows ones, which is great news for fans of open source software.
Laptops with Ubuntu Framework outsell Windows ones
Ubuntu models are being cleaned
On the Framework X feed, the company announced that they had sold out of six of the eight batches of Ubuntu Framework laptops. Seven hours after posting, Framework would respond by announcing that the eighth and final batch had sold out.
The most interesting fact from this X post is that Framework says that “Ubuntu configurations are outselling Windows configurations.” This is a big change from the traditional expectation of Linux being the niche choice and Windows having the largest market share. Unfortunately, Framework doesn’t reveal how much Ubuntu outsells Windows, so we don’t know if both models are selling at a rapid pace or if all Windows laptops are collecting dust on a shelf somewhere. Either way, it’s great to see that Ubuntu won here, even if we don’t know by how much.
So what about the change in attitude? Well, there are many reasons why the Ubuntu version may be outselling the Windows version. Because of the Framework laptop’s modular design, I suspect its customers are also more open to modifying its software. Microsoft hasn’t done itself any favors either, as Windows 11 has suffered from some pretty nasty bugs and quality control issues lately. And there’s always the fact that Framework lets you know how much you have to pay for a Windows 11 license, so people may not want to pay $140 for an operating system.
