That is the Framework laptop computer that stops asking you to make excuses

I often give Framework laptops a little bit of a cross. In any case, they’re the upgradeable, modular laptop computer that you simply’ll need to stay with for years, proper? Not the brand new Framework Laptop computer 13 Professional. It’s one thing you’ll need to stay with proper now.

I’ve used the Framework Desktop, and borrowed Framework’s earlier Laptop computer 13 for a number of days earlier than going hands-on with the Framework Laptop computer 12 final yr. The Laptop computer 12 — small, plasticky — is absolutely the other of the brand new Framework Laptop computer 13, whose wonderful keyboard melds properly with an all-aluminum, milled laptop computer that feels much more stable than older Framework laptops, interval. Add an upgraded display screen, far more battery life, and a shift to Intel’s Core Extremely 300 (Panther Lake) processors, and the Framework Laptop computer 13 Professional appears like an across-the-board improve.

And don’t fear: The Framework Laptop computer 13 Professional is each forward- and backward-compatible. If you wish to improve an older Framework laptop computer with any of Framework’s modular elements — say, taking the primary Eleventh-gen Core laptop computer and including Panther Lake energy — you may. The Framework Laptop computer 13 Professional begins delivery in June, with costs beginning at $1,199 for the modular DIY Version and $1,499 for pre-built configurations.

Framework’s Laptop computer 13 Professional: Development

Framework arrange the Laptop computer 13 Professional in a dim room, a virtually black display screen gently lit by a desk lamp. Then an worker ran his finger throughout the display screen. A silent explosion of sunshine flashed throughout the display screen, a part of an OpenGL demo that exhibits off what built-in graphics can do. Pow! Like lightning within the desert. The photograph beneath doesn’t actually do it justice.

That’s the ability of an upgraded laptop computer display screen that may put out 700 nits of luminance, far way over the 250 nits that we think about to be comfy for strange viewing. Sure, I hoped for an OLED, however the 2880×1920, 13.5-inch LED touchscreen show is able to between 30- and 120Hz for max battery life and smoothness, plus it has an antiglare non-reflective matte coating. This appears like a really perfect laptop computer for working exterior.

Often, speaking concerning the development of a Framework laptop computer means an prompt segue into how every of its elements are designed with modularity in thoughts, for future upgrades. I’ll get there. Skipping over the chassis and keyboard does it a disservice.

We dinged the 2025 Framework Laptop computer 13 for being a bit wiggly. A fast shake, and…I feel they mounted it. One other reporter got here to the identical conclusion about the identical time. Framework considers this to be a ground-up transforming of the Framework Laptop computer, and this Framework Laptop computer 13 Professional feels pleasingly stable within the hand. To me, aluminum simply effuses craftsmanship. At 3.09 kilos, I wouldn’t name the Laptop computer 13 Professional gentle for its dimension, nor skinny at about 16mm. However the small show and stable development convey confidence that it received’t simply crumble.

Mark Hachman / Foundry

Framework’s Laptop computer 13 Professional: How does it really feel?

My editor recommended that I attempt to smuggle in a USB key with a benchmark on it, for testing. Foiled! The demo machines have been operating Linux. However there’s one other benchmark that I’m impressed with, and that’s battery life.

Contained in the Framework Laptop computer 13 Professional are two issues that make a big effect on productiveness: the one-two punch of Intel’s low-power Panther Lake chip, and a bigger battery. The older Framework Laptop computer included a 61Wh battery and a strong although reasonably environment friendly AMD Ryzen AI 300 processor. The most recent Laptop computer 13 Professional features a 74Wh battery as a substitute. Apparently, Framework makes use of Netflix streaming to measure battery life. I’ve as nicely. The corporate claims you’ll see over 20 hours of Netflix 4K streaming, a whopping 12 hours greater than the prior technology. Wow!

Mark Hachman / Foundry

In my expertise, benchmarks that use productiveness functions like Phrase and Excel to approximate a day’s price of labor often shave a bit greater than 10 p.c off this quantity, assuming that Framework didn’t dim the laptop computer’s display screen to unrealistically low brightness ranges. My very own testing of the Intel Core Extremely 300 (Panther Lake) confirmed equally eye-popping numbers for battery life. All of it bodes nicely for the laptop computer’s possibilities.

And sure, I like the keyboard. I didn’t have earlier Framework laptops available to check to within the second, however I’d instantly price it a B+ below my fingers, or maybe increased. I want Microsoft, Lenovo, and Acer laptop computer keyboards, however Framework nailed it. The one bizarre factor I failed to note on first look is that there’s each a highlighted Settings key in addition to a labeled “Framework” key, and the gear-like icons used for each seemed virtually equivalent on first look.

Mark Hachman / Foundry

It wasn’t all good, although. One of many upgrades to this laptop computer are audio system ruled by Dolby Atmos, an audio algorithm that usually delivers potent sound. However an indication of the audio capabilities — only a media file performed again through Home windows — stuttered horribly, and I don’t know why. Once more, Intel’s Panther Lake chip usually punches above its weight class. Though I by no means discovered anybody who might clarify away the issue, it felt like an unoptimized driver or one thing that might be solved with out too many issues.

Framework’s Laptop computer 13 Professional: Upgradeability

The one factor, imagine it or not, that I didn’t have time to do was to take the highest off the Framework Laptop computer 13 Professional, simply to see the way it was achieved. However by no means worry — loads of Framework staff had already achieved so.

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Framework permits you to purchase the Laptop computer 13 Professional in both a DIY Version configuration, the place you’ll have to produce each reminiscence and storage (or pay for an improve), in addition to a Prebuilt possibility the place you should purchase a preconfigured PC and have Framework set up all the pieces for you, full with working system. (You’ll have the selection of Home windows or Ubuntu, although you may actually set up quite a few flavors of Linux, too.)

Framework additionally permits you to merely purchase the motherboard, or “Mainboard,” which you should use to improve an older Framework laptop computer or desktop or else drop it in a small variety of third-party gadgets. On this case, Framework expenses $799 for a Core Extremely 7 358H, or $449 for a Core Extremely 5 325. (The laptop computer nonetheless helps AMD’s Ryzen AI 300 chips, too, although Framework executives noticeably downplayed them.) Framework chief government Nirav Patel characterised the Mainboards as each forward- and backward-compatible gadgets, which means that you simply’ll be capable of use them now and sooner or later.

(Patel additionally acknowledged that Framework is bumping up in opposition to the bounds of such choices. For instance, you’ll be capable of improve older Framework laptops with the brand new Professional 74Wh battery. However as a result of they’re only a mite too thick, you’ll want to purchase a Framework Laptop computer 13 Professional Backside Cowl and a Framework Laptop computer 13 Professional Enter Cowl as nicely.)

Mark Hachman / Foundry

I/O continues to be easy. The Framework Laptop computer 13 Professional contains 4 Thunderbolt 4 ports, which might be basically lined over with numerous dongles: Ethernet (even a brand new 10Gbps card), HDMI 2.0b, DisplayPort, USB, or extra. The entire I/O dongles principally function entrance ends for the Thunderbolt connection, however present the ports you need. Costs vary from about $10 to $99 per port, relying upon what you need. The entire enlargement playing cards slot into the laptop computer, and are secured by a small latch. It’s fairly simple so as to add and take away ports, although you’ll want a fingernail to do it.

I haven’t upgraded a Framework Laptop computer myself, however I’ve assembled the Framework Desktop, and Framework seems to have continued its hyper-detailed meeting guides that make such procedures a snap. One of many new options is the inclusion of LPCAMM2 reminiscence, which within the Framework Laptop computer 13 Professional means changing three screws. I imply, have a look at this inside and the way gorgeously clear it’s! The entire QR codes usually lead again to detailed guides that designate what part you’re and how you can exchange it.

Mark Hachman / Foundry

Patel indicated that, ultimately, he’d prefer to see Framework implement a digital market to make sure that all unused, older Framework elements might be utilized by somebody as a substitute of ending up in a trash heap. Framework would additionally like to ascertain a bodily retailer, although the economics of such aren’t possible proper now, he mentioned.

Sadly, the continuing shortages of reminiscence and storage aren’t over. Framework continues to publish an ongoing sequence of weblog posts and updates informing prospects of what they’re being instructed by part distributors, and the way any provide shortages or surpluses will translate into increased or decrease costs.

All this implies is that Framework will proceed to ship its merchandise in “batches”: Every batch will obtain its personal assured pricing, Patel mentioned, however in any other case the value will range from batch to batch.

When Framework initially introduced its “Subsequent Gen” occasion through which the Framework Laptop computer 13 Professional was launched, the language was apocalyptic: “There’s a very actual state of affairs through which private computing as we all know it’s lifeless,” Framework intoned.

Because it turned out, Framework was merely trumpeting its plans to symbolize actually private computing with merchandise just like the Laptop computer 13 Professional. It appears to be like nice up to now.