Framework Laptop 12 Offered with Fedora KDE Pre-installed

Framework has announced the Laptop 12, a 12.2-inch 2-in-1 convertible that buyers can order with Fedora KDE Plasma Desktop pre-installed, starting at $699. The touchscreen model supports stylus input, and the Fedora KDE interface has been tuned for touch, pen, and traditional laptop use. The laptop runs on an Intel Core Series 3 processor and includes Thunderbolt 4 and Wi-Fi 7 connectivity. A backlit keyboard and a fingerprint reader built into the power button are available as options, with the fingerprint reader supported through libfprint. The keyboard uses open-source ZMK firmware, which Fedora says aligns with its Four Foundations. Fedora contributors verified the hardware ahead of launch, testing boot stability, power states, and Wi-Fi throughput, and confirming kernel 7.1 support for the Core Series 3 and Wi-Fi 7. They also validated touch and pen behavior, including palm rejection, stylus pressure, and screen rotation. Framework provided pre-release hardware to Fedora's QA and special interest groups for this testing. The Fedora KDE Plasma Desktop edition is designed to be the premier KDE experience, according to the project. Jef Spaleta, Fedora Project Lead, said in the announcement: "The Fedora KDE Plasma Desktop contributors work hard to make the Fedora KDE Plasma Desktop edition the premier KDE experience for users. It's great to see Framework customers have the choice to have it pre-installed." The announcement gives no release date, does not name the Fedora version that is pre-installed, and lists no memory, storage, or battery figures. The Laptop 12 is positioned as a modular, repairable, and open-source-friendly device.