Framework Laptop computer 13 (2025) assessment: A steep value for good upgrades

The Framework Laptop computer 13 (2025) isn’t a lot a brand new pc, per se, as it’s a refresh of some of the elements of the prior Framework Laptop computer 13. Apart from a brand new CPU (and the mainboard it comes packaged on) and a revised keyboard, a lot of this new Framework Laptop computer 13 is similar to the mannequin examined final yr. Whereas this sameness might not make it an thrilling system to improve to from earlier fashions, particularly when contemplating the $1,946 price ticket for the configuration examined right here, present Framework Laptop computer 13 house owners get to benefit from the far more reasonably priced improve pathway that units Framework aside from its competing manufacturers. The mainboard in our take a look at unit is simply $699 in any case.  

This upgradeability might make the Framework Laptop computer 13 a compelling possibility for sure forms of customers who pursue efficiency upgrades however need consistency in any other case. However for individuals who want a dependable system in the present day and luxuriate in occasional adjustments, a lot of our favourite laptops can be found at decrease costs. Even when upgrades sooner or later are costlier, you’ll be able to attempt to defray these future prices with the sale of your outdated machine or just benefit from the second life it will possibly have within the palms of a pal or member of the family. 

Editor’s observe: The Framework Laptop computer 13 (2025) is now obtainable for pre-order, with shipments anticipating to start in Could 2025.

Framework Laptop computer 13 (2025): Specs and options

• CPU: AMD Ryzen AI 7 350
• Reminiscence: 16GB DDR5-5600
• Graphics/GPU: AMD Radeon 860M
• Show: 13.5-inch, 2880×1920 matte IPS with 120Hz refresh price (rounded corners)
• Storage: 1TB PCIe Gen4 SSD
• Webcam: 1080p
• Connectivity: 4x configurable and swappable ports, 1x combo audio jack
• Networking: WiFi 7, Bluetooth 5.4
• Biometrics: Home windows Hey fingerprint
• Battery capability: 61 watt-hours
• Dimensions: 11.7 x 9 x 0.6 inches
• Weight: 2.99 kilos
• MSRP: $1,946 as-tested ($1,109 base w/o Home windows license or energy adapter)

The brand new Framework Laptop computer 13 is constructed round AMD’s new Strix Level Ryzen AI 300 collection CPUs with built-in graphics and discrete XDNA 2 NPUs. Framework provides each DIY (assemble-yourself) and pre-built variations with the Ryzen AI 5 340 (beginning at $989), the Ryzen AI 7 350 (beginning at $1,349) examined right here, and the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 (beginning at $1,829). Every base configuration features a 2256×1504 matte show, however Framework provides a $140 improve to a 2880×1920 matte show with a 120Hz refresh price (albeit additionally with rounded corners). The plastic bezel across the show can be customizable with a wide range of opaque and translucent colours — black and clear are free, however all others value $10. The keyboard and deck are additionally included within the value, although Framework has a couple of particular choices for $10 extra. 

The bottom configurations listed include no storage, reminiscence, working system, charger, or enlargement playing cards to present the laptop computer I/O like USB-C ports or HDMI. You possibly can choose this stuff whereas configuring your laptop computer, they usually’ll elevate the value in flip. If you have already got any of those, then you definately’re in a position to skip this stuff and keep away from the additional value at checkout. Nevertheless, if you happen to don’t have these and have to have a ready-to-use laptop computer, the precise base value will change a bit. As an example, the $989 base rises to $1,109 for an entire laptop computer, and that’s nonetheless earlier than including a $139 Home windows license (you would use Linux without cost as a substitute) and a $59 charger.

Framework Laptop computer 13 (2025): Design and construct high quality 

The 2025 Framework Laptop computer 13 doesn’t actually change a lot from its predecessors, and that’s by design. Since Framework’s laptops are upgradeable, they function a constant chassis that new elements can slot into. So this new mannequin continues to function the identical all-aluminum building of its predecessors, and combines that silver with a black keyboard.

It’s surprisingly skinny for an upgradeable system, and it’s not overly versatile. The show hinge is a bit wiggly. After opening it or making changes, it is going to wiggle for a few seconds earlier than coming to a relaxation. However in any other case, the system feels fairly sturdy. 

Within the effort to make it accessible, Framework seems to have struggled some with seamlessness, although. There’s a transparent seam between the decrease and higher panels of the bottom, and whereas they match fairly intently across the sides, they don’t on the entrance edge. The entrance edge is held along with simply two screws in every nook, and this setup doesn’t create sufficient strain within the center, leaving an unpleasant hole between the panels.

IDG / Mark Knapp

Either side options 4 slots for various I/O fashions, which have a reasonably good retaining mechanism. They slide on rails and have a small catch to lock them into place. They slot in securely, however in addition they present unpleasant and uneven seams. Alas, that simply seems to be the price of customizability, and it might be a tradeoff price making. 

The customization does include some enjoyable choices. Our take a look at unit included a translucent purple show bezel that harkened again to outdated N64 controllers, as an example. Sadly, it had sq. corners that didn’t fairly line up with the rounded corners of the show — not a evident aesthetic challenge, however a minor upset. The show didn’t get probably the most aggressive bezels both, boasting thicker high and backside bezels than you’d usually discover on a equally priced laptop computer in 2025. 

Framework Laptop computer 13 (2025): Keyboard, trackpad

IDG / Mark Knapp

The Framework Laptop computer 13’s new Gen 2 keyboard is essentially satisfying. After a little bit over an hour of use, I used to be in a position to stand up to a typing pace of 115 phrases per minute with 97 p.c accuracy in Monkeytype, and by the top of my testing, I bumped that to 121 phrases per minute and 98 p.c accuracy. On an distinctive keyboard, I discover I can go a bit quicker with nonetheless extra accuracy, however that’s not a foul end result for the Framework Laptop computer 13. I discover the keys have first rate journey and stabilization, however a slight sponginess holds them again barely. The keys function white backlighting with a number of ranges of brightness. These bleed out a little bit across the keycaps, however in addition they successfully illuminate the legends. 

The trackpad included on the laptop computer is modestly sized, providing first rate width and top for swiping and multi-finger gestures. It’s nowhere close to as huge as I’ve seen on some Asus or Dell laptops, however it’s a decent dimension and avoids working into my palm whereas I’m typing. My fingers glide easily throughout its glass floor, and it tracks my actions nicely. It depresses barely when pressed, providing a principally silent however tactile click on. 

Framework Laptop computer 13 (2025): Show, audio

IDG / Mark Knapp

The show on the Framework Laptop computer 13, as configured, is nice. It’s not successful any awards for its high quality, however its utility is top-notch. The display screen will get extremely vivid, reaching virtually 540 nits in my testing. That, mixed with its wonderful anti-glare end, makes it exceptionally seen in most circumstances. For its dimension, it’s sharp, and the 120Hz refresh price makes every little thing easy. Even its distinction is surprisingly robust for an IPS show, reaching 1710:1 in my testing. Colour isn’t its robust swimsuit, although. It provides a strong one hundred pc protection of the sRGB colour house, however it comes up missing in DCI-P3 colour, the place it solely achieves 86 p.c protection. 

The audio system are equally utilitarian. They will push out an honest quantity of quantity centered within the mid-range, giving human voices loads of sound, however they’ll drop off significantly on the low finish and may sound boxed in relying on what’s enjoying. They provide a pleasant sufficient efficiency for music, however not a formidable one, particularly with their missing bass. 

Framework Laptop computer 13 (2025): Webcam, microphone, biometrics

The webcam on the Framework Laptop computer 13 is first rate. It provides 1080p decision and has a reasonably broad angle, making it straightforward to border your self. Whereas it finally ends up with plenty of noise in low-light scenes, it does a great job boosting the publicity to keep away from crushed shadows whereas additionally steering away from clipped highlights.

The mic isn’t so spectacular. Even in a quiet room, I sounded a bit distant, and there was some room echo. Each the digicam and microphones have {hardware} switches on the high of the show bezel for disabling them. These are good to see, although they really feel a little bit flimsier than the remainder of the laptop computer’s construct.

For signing into the system, the Framework Laptop computer 13 has a sq. fingerprint reader on the high proper nook, above the keyboard. This has labored from time to time, however like many fingerprint readers on Home windows laptops I’ve examined, it’s not terribly constant.

Framework Laptop computer 13 (2025): Connectivity

IDG / Mark Knapp

Connectivity on the Framework Laptop computer 13 is what you make of it. Past a built-in 3.5mm audio jack, the system consists of 4 slots for customizable I/O, and Framework provides USB-C, USB-A, HDMI, 2.5Gb Ethernet, DisplayPort, microSD, and SD card slot modules. Most will sit flush with the facet of the laptop computer, however dimension constraints meant that the Ethernet card had to stand proud of the facet of the laptop computer. 

Whilst you get all these choices, there are some limitations relying on which modules you insert the place. All 4 slots assist charging with USB-C modules. However the entrance slot on both facet has restricted bandwidth, so a USB-C module on these slots will solely provide USB 3.2 speeds, and DisplayPort modules will solely provide DisplayPort 1.4 HBR3. The identical modules within the rear slots would provide USB4 and DisplayPort 2.0 UBR20, respectively. Framework has additionally famous that utilizing USB-A modules within the rear slots will include larger energy consumption. 

Framework’s I/O choices are good for a laptop computer this dimension, and the flexibleness could also be worthwhile for some. There are definitely laptops on this class that provide worse and extra restricted I/O. That mentioned, yow will discover fashions which have extra. Typically you received’t discover full-size DisplayPort, however aside from that, yow will discover fashions with a number of USB-A and USB-C ports, microSD or full-size SD, and an HDMI port. 

Framework rounds out its wired connectivity with robust wi-fi connections. It consists of an AMD RZ717 Wi-Fi card with assist for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4.

Framework Laptop computer 13 (2025): Efficiency

The important thing replace to the 2025 Framework Laptop computer 13 is the under-the-hood improve to the most recent cellular AMD Ryzen processors. Our take a look at unit will get the mid-level Ryzen AI 7 350, although there are extra and fewer highly effective options obtainable. With this, it’s able to problem among the newest and best ultrabooks in the marketplace, just like the $1,689 HP OmniBook Extremely 14, $1,754 Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6, $1,899 Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 14 Gen 10, and $1,599 MSI Sumit 13 AI+ Evo.

The brand new Framework Laptop computer 13 places on a great present, however not the best possible. It’s a step up over its earlier configuration, which ran on an Intel Core Extremely 7 155H. Within the holistic PCMark 10 take a look at, the Framework Laptop computer 13 retains up with its competitors for probably the most half. Nevertheless it doesn’t have sufficient horsepower to tug away from the again by any broad margins. The HP OmniBook Extremely 14 and Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 14 (Gen 10) put it in a tricky spot, as each value much less however run quicker general. 

In uncooked CPU efficiency, the Framework Laptop computer 13 will get extra of a leg up. The CPU is a potent one for encoding, which may hit CPUs arduous. It totally outperforms the MSI laptop computer right here, highlighting the Framework’s efficient cooling, which all the time helps to maintain the encode instances from stretching on. The efficiency of the AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 even lets the Framework outpace the Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 14 (Gen 10), albeit by a slender margin. However once more, the worth goes to the HP OmniBook Extremely 14, which advantages from AMD’s new structure as nicely however brings an much more highly effective chip on the identical time. 

Cinebench R24 solely additional confirms the standings. The Framework Laptop computer 13 is certainly potent amongst its competitors, with a lot quicker CPU efficiency than the Intel Core Extremely 7 258V-powered rivals in multi-core workloads and preserving a wholesome lead over the Snapdragon-powered ThinkPad. It steps up significantly from the sooner Intel chip on provide from Framework. Single-core efficiency really lags a little bit bit behind, although, however continues to be sufficient to maintain the system feeling snappy. However once more, the HP OmniBook retains its lead due to the 4 further cores it brings alongside. 

Whereas the Framework Laptop computer 13 has a robust CPU, Intel nonetheless reveals its would possibly within the graphics division. Even the older Framework Laptop computer 13 baseboard had quicker graphics efficiency in 3DMark. The newer Intel chips within the MSI and Lenovo Yoga laptops solely additional widen that hole. In day-to-day operation, the Framework Laptop computer 13 held up nicely sufficient, and it provides greater than the Snapdragon X Elite within the ThinkPad, however it received’t do a lot past mild gaming. And once more, the HP OmniBook Extremely 14 touts extra worth due to the doubling of GPU cores it will get, permitting it to higher preserve tempo with the Intel Arc graphics in these different machines, even when it’s nonetheless not matching the Yoga Slim 9i 14 (Gen 10) on this division. 

Framework Laptop computer 13 (2025): Battery life

The Framework Laptop computer 13’s 62.3Wh battery is likely one of the smallest on this group, however it’s not far off. Solely the ThinkPad’s 58Wh battery is smaller. It stands to purpose that the Framework would possibly undergo a barely shorter battery life in consequence, however it fared significantly worse than anticipated.

In our 4K video playback take a look at, the Framework Laptop computer 13 ran for simply over 11 hours. The subsequent closest machine was the Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 14, which beat it by greater than 2 hours regardless of its demanding OLED show, and even that was a disappointing lead to our testing. The remainder all topped 16 hours, which is extra according to what we wish from ultrabooks making an attempt to deal with current MacBooks. The MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo took it even farther with over 21 hours of runtime. And for all its shortcomings in efficiency, the ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 stays a standout for its mind-blowing 23.5-hour battery life. 

On the brilliant facet, the Framework Laptop computer 13 is comparatively long-lasting for on a regular basis use. It doesn’t fairly match its video playback efficiency, however I used to be in a position to stretch the battery for 8-hour workdays fairly constantly, albeit with the brightness considerably decrease at 50 p.c.

Framework Laptop computer 13 (2025): Conclusion

The Framework Laptop computer 13 is an effective laptop computer throughout, however with out factoring in its key differentiating function, it fails to ascend to greatness. At any given second, when you’ve the selection between shopping for this Framework mannequin and all its constituent elements or going with one thing else from competing laptop computer makers, you may get a extra competent machine on your cash by going with the latter. It’s a problem of up-front value that can probably all the time hinder the Framework Laptop computer 13. 

However what’s necessary right here is that you simply’re nonetheless getting a great laptop computer if you happen to make that up-front funding. After you have, you would find yourself benefiting from improve pathways from Framework that may make it much more aggressive in opposition to its rivals. As an example, if you wish to improve from an outdated laptop computer to the HP OmniBook Extremely 14, you’ll pay $1,689. In contrast, if you have already got a Framework Laptop computer 13 and wish to improve to this one, you don’t have to pay the $1,946 this entire unit prices — you’ll be able to simply purchase the $699 baseboard as a substitute, and even the $999 Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 baseboard to come back even nearer to the OmniBook Extremely 14’s specs. By upgrading solely the elements it’s good to improve, you lower your expenses on issues just like the show, keyboard, audio system, battery, and chassis that you simply don’t improve. 

This finally might depart some parts of the Framework Laptop computer 13 lagging behind, however because it’s usually first rate throughout, you no less than received’t get caught with unhealthy elements. There are nonetheless loads of variables you’ll wish to take into account, like whether or not you are likely to promote or give away your outdated laptops as hand-me-downs — choices the Framework Laptop computer 13 precludes. However if you happen to are likely to improve your laptop computer each couple of years to maintain its efficiency up-to-speed, the Framework Laptop computer 13 offers you a great piece of {hardware} and the potential of accelerating worth the longer you retain it in service with upgrades via the years.