A rare Linux-first touchscreen laptop has arrived
Framework Computer announced at its NextGen event today a new notebook it's calling the Framework 13 Pro. The small Ubuntu Certified laptop has a touchscreen and battery that out-performs the original Framework 13.
Touch-friendly Tux?
The Framework 13 Pro notebook has a 13.5-inch, 3:2, 2.8K touchscreen display "using in-cell touch technology." It's built with an aluminum chassis and a 74Wh battery, which Framework claims will get you 20 hours of life streaming 4K video (though it's unclear if that's on Ubuntu or Windows 11). Like all Framework computers, the device is designed to be built, upgraded, and repaired by you, the owner.
The 13 Pro follows Framework Computer's multiple generations of Linux-friendly DIY computers whose parts can be swapped relatively easily. This particular device boasts an "Ubuntu Certified" badge meaning it meets Canonical's standards for retail Ubuntu devices.
- While you normally have to bring your OS, Ubuntu 24.04 LTS comes pre-installed on at least one pre-built configuration of the Framework 13 Pro.
Canonical said this in the announcement about its Linux compatibility, without speaking directly on the touch functionality:
On Linux, as always, we’ve designed for excellent support from the start. That means component selection for Linux compatibility, support for firmware updates through LVFS, and contributing patches upstream where needed.
Looking inside
The DIY version of Framework 13 Pro can be configured with these options:
- CPU: Intel Core Ultra Series 3 or AMD Ryzen AI 300 Series
- RAM: 16GB to 64GB (LPCAMM2 - LPDDR5X)
- Storage: 500GB–8TB PCIe 4.0, or 500GB–2TB PCIe 5.0
The Intel version of the pre-built Framework 13 Pro, which is the only way to get Ubuntu preinstalled, comes in two variations.
Ultra 5 325
- Memory: 16GB LPCAMM2 LPDDR5X 8533
- Storage: 512GB PCIe 4.0 NVMe
- Price: $1,499
Ultra X7 358H
- Memory: 32GB LPCAMM2 LPDDR5X 8533
- Storage: 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe storage
- Price: $2,099
Zooming out
Why this product matters: They may have existed at different points in time, but I'm not aware of another Linux-packed laptop on the market that includes a touchscreen display. I'm sure it's related to the fact that 2-in-1 devices and touchscreen displays in general have been famously finicky on Linux.
Lingering questions: How well does Framework 13 Pro touchscreen actually work with its Ubuntu Certified pedigree? Not everyone likes Ubuntu; how will other Linux distros perform?
My take: I'm happy with my Kubuntu Focus Ir14 notebook, but I'll be watching for reviews that actually test out the touch functionality of the Framework 13 Pro running Ubuntu.
Diving in
The details: You can read Framework's official blog post on the 13 Pro for more information.
Order it now: Pre-orders are open the Framework store. They're sold in batches, and, at the time of writing, the batches still available are mostly shipping in July.
