TUXEDO Computers

TUXEDO Computers is a German computer manufacturer focused on personal computers designed, configured, and supported for Linux users. The company is based in Augsburg, with its devices manufactured in Leipzig, and sells laptops, desktop computers, and small-form-factor systems with Linux as a central part of the product proposition. Customers can generally choose among supported Linux distributions, use TUXEDO's own Ubuntu-based TUXEDO OS, or order systems configured with Microsoft Windows alongside Linux or in a virtualized setup. The business was founded on February 1, 2004, by Herbert Feiler in Bayreuth. It developed from an online shop selling Linux- and open-source-related promotional products and boxed Linux distributions. The company initially concentrated on desktop computers because notebooks often required hardware-specific adaptations to achieve reliable Linux compatibility. As Linux support improved and the business developed its own configuration and support capabilities, notebooks and compact desktop systems became important parts of the range. Its product names commonly draw on astronomy, space travel, science, and technology themes. TUXEDO's differentiation is based less on mass-market scale than on hardware and software integration for Linux. Its computers are sold with Linux-oriented firmware and configuration work, and the company develops supporting tools intended to make hardware management more practical on Linux systems. The TUXEDO Control Center allows users to manage functions such as cooling behavior, processor and graphics settings, and keyboard illumination on compatible notebooks. WebFAI is an installation tool intended to automate the deployment of TUXEDO OS and other Linux distributions. In 2022, the company introduced TUXEDO OS, its own freely downloadable Linux distribution based at launch on Ubuntu. The system uses KDE Plasma, a recent Linux kernel, and TUXEDO-operated software repositories. It was designed without Canonical's Snap package system and emphasizes a German-hosted repository infrastructure and reduced telemetry. In July 2026, TUXEDO announced a planned shift of the distribution's base from Ubuntu to Debian testing. That change represents a significant software-strategy decision while retaining the company's focus on a curated Linux experience. The brand also participates in the wider free and open-source ecosystem. TUXEDO is a patron of KDE, provides space for developer activity, and hosted the KDE Plasma Sprint in 2023. The Linux User Group Augsburg meets regularly at the company's premises, and TUXEDO developers contribute patches and other code to the Linux kernel. Through MyTuxedo, the company offers a Nextcloud-based cloud-storage service to purchasers of TUXEDO computers. The service uses servers and backup storage in German data centers and is therefore operated within the framework of European data-protection regulation. Overall, TUXEDO occupies a specialist position in the European PC market, combining Linux-oriented hardware sales, its own operating-system distribution, technical support utilities, and community engagement.

TUXEDO Computers was established on February 1, 2004, by Herbert Feiler in Bayreuth, Germany. Its early business grew out of an online store dealing in Linux and open-source merchandise as well as boxed Linux distributions. This background shaped the company's later identity: rather than entering the PC market as a general-purpose Windows manufacturer, it concentrated on systems where Linux installation, compatibility, and user support were core considerations. The company initially favored desktop computers. At the time, notebook hardware frequently needed special adaptations and configuration work to function reliably with Linux, making portable systems more demanding to support. As compatibility improved and TUXEDO developed more expertise in hardware selection and Linux integration, the company expanded into notebooks and compact desktop computers. The names used for its systems often reference stars, planets, space exploration, science, or technology, reinforcing the brand's technical identity. In 2013, TUXEDO moved from Bayreuth to Königsbrunn. In 2019, it relocated again, this time to Augsburg, which became its current headquarters. The company's computers are manufactured in Leipzig. Its product approach allows customers to obtain systems with a pre-installed Linux distribution, including TUXEDO's own operating system, while selected configurations can also use Microsoft Windows in parallel with Linux or through virtualization. A major later development was the creation of TUXEDO OS. The first release arrived on September 29, 2022. Initially based on Ubuntu, TUXEDO OS uses KDE Plasma and a current Linux kernel, while omitting the Snap package-management system associated with Ubuntu. TUXEDO also operates its own software repositories through hosting providers in Germany and presents the distribution as a freely downloadable ISO image. The distribution is complemented by company-developed utilities. TUXEDO Control Center provides controls for supported hardware, including fan management, processor and graphics settings, and keyboard backlighting. WebFAI is intended to automate the installation of TUXEDO OS and other Linux distributions. The company has maintained an active relationship with the open-source community. It is a patron of KDE and supports KDE developer activity and events. Its Augsburg facilities hosted the KDE Plasma Sprint in 2023, while the Linux User Group Augsburg regularly meets on the premises. TUXEDO developers also contribute code and patches to the Linux kernel. These activities extend the company's role beyond hardware retail and connect its commercial products with upstream free-software projects. TUXEDO additionally operates MyTuxedo, a Nextcloud-based cloud-storage service available to purchasers of TUXEDO computers. Its servers and backup storage are located in German data centers, placing the service within the European data-protection environment. In July 2026, TUXEDO announced that TUXEDO OS would change its underlying base from Ubuntu to Debian testing. This planned transition is a notable change in software direction, although the broader proposition remains the same: Linux-focused computers supported by company-maintained software and services.

• 2026

  Planned move of TUXEDO OS to Debian testing

  [1]Tuxedo Computersen.wikipedia.org

  TUXEDO announced that the distribution would use Debian testing rather than Ubuntu as its base.

• 2023

  TUXEDO hosts KDE Plasma Sprint

  [1]Tuxedo Computersen.wikipedia.org

  The company hosted a KDE Plasma development sprint at its offices as part of its patronage and support of KDE.

• 2022

  First release of TUXEDO OS

  [1]Tuxedo Computersen.wikipedia.org

  The first version of TUXEDO OS was released on September 29, 2022, as a freely downloadable Ubuntu-based Linux distribution.

• 2019

  Move to Augsburg

  [1]Tuxedo Computersen.wikipedia.org

  TUXEDO moved to Augsburg, Germany, which became its current headquarters.

• 2013

  Move to Königsbrunn

  [1]Tuxedo Computersen.wikipedia.org

  The company relocated from Bayreuth to Königsbrunn.

• 2004

  Company founded in Bayreuth

  [1]Tuxedo Computersen.wikipedia.org

  Herbert Feiler founded TUXEDO Computers on February 1, 2004. The business developed from an online shop selling Linux- and open-source-related merchandise and boxed distributions.

Specialist Linux-first computer manufacturer combining preconfigured hardware, operating-system support, customization, and open-source community participation.

• Computers

  Linux laptops

  TUXEDO's notebook range is designed around Linux compatibility and is sold with a pre-installed Linux operating system. Customers can select TUXEDO OS or other supported distributions, and certain configurations can include Microsoft Windows alongside Linux or in a virtual machine. The company also provides Linux-specific hardware controls and configuration support for compatible systems.

• Computers · 2004

  Desktop computers

  Desktop systems were the company's original principal hardware category, reflecting the relative ease of achieving dependable Linux compatibility compared with notebooks in its earlier years. TUXEDO continues to offer desktop computers and compact systems configured for Linux, with software and installation options intended for users who want an out-of-the-box Linux workstation.

• Operating system · 2022

  TUXEDO OS

  TUXEDO OS is the company's Linux distribution, first released in 2022. It initially used Ubuntu as its base, KDE Plasma as its desktop environment, and a recent Linux kernel. The distribution omits Snap, uses TUXEDO-operated repositories hosted in Germany, and is available as a downloadable ISO. TUXEDO announced a future change to a Debian testing base.

• Hardware-management software

  TUXEDO Control Center

  TUXEDO Control Center is a GNU General Public License-licensed utility for managing supported TUXEDO hardware. Its functions include fan control, processor and graphics settings, and adjustment of illuminated keyboard behavior on compatible laptops.

• Cloud storage

  MyTuxedo

  MyTuxedo is a Nextcloud-based cloud-storage service operated by TUXEDO Computers. The service is available to purchasers of TUXEDO computers, with primary servers and backup storage located in German data centers.

• 2026

  Change of TUXEDO OS base to Debian testingStrategy

  Background

  TUXEDO announced a change to the underlying distribution base used by its own operating system.

  Action taken

  The company announced that TUXEDO OS would move from Ubuntu to Debian testing.

  Aftermath

  The announcement indicated a substantial change in the distribution's technical foundation; further operational effects were not specified in the cited material.

  Source

• 2022

  Launch of TUXEDO OSProduct launch

  Background

  TUXEDO had built its identity around Linux-compatible computers and sought to offer a more controlled software environment alongside supported third-party distributions.

  Action taken

  The company released TUXEDO OS, an Ubuntu-based distribution using KDE Plasma and a recent Linux kernel. It excluded Snap and used company-operated repositories hosted through providers in Germany.

  Aftermath

  TUXEDO OS became an additional software offering for the company's hardware and was also made available for free download as an ISO image.

  Source

• 2026

  TUXEDO announces a Debian testing base for TUXEDO OS[1]Tuxedo Computersen.wikipedia.org

  Product generation

  TUXEDO announced that TUXEDO OS would move from an Ubuntu base to Debian testing, marking a change in the distribution's underlying software strategy.

• 2023

  KDE Plasma Sprint 2023 held at TUXEDO Computers[1]Tuxedo Computersen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  As part of its support for KDE, TUXEDO hosted a KDE Plasma development sprint at its offices.

• 2022

  TUXEDO Computers introduces TUXEDO OS[1]Tuxedo Computersen.wikipedia.org

  Product launch

  TUXEDO released the first version of its own Linux distribution on September 29, 2022. The Ubuntu-based system uses KDE Plasma, a newer Linux kernel, TUXEDO software repositories, and no Snap package system.

1. 1Tuxedo Computersen.wikipedia.org