Latest news with #FrameworkLaptop13
Tom's Guide
5 days ago
- Business
- Tom's Guide
I just got my hands on the new Framework Laptop 12, and this one feature is a game-changer
I just spent an hour assembling Framework's latest product, and for my money, it's the easiest time I've ever had building one of these DIY laptops. I'm talking, of course, about the Framework Laptop 12, which was unveiled back in February (alongside a modular mini PC) as the company's big new release for 2025. If you're not familiar with Framework, you should be. The company debuted in 2022 with its Framework Laptop 13, which I called the anti-MacBook and the world's most exciting laptop because it's the most repairable and upgradable notebook on the market. Since then, the company has released newer, more capable models of the Framework Laptop 13 and its larger gaming-ready sibling, the Framework Laptop 16. But the new Framework Laptop 12 is not only the smallest and cheapest yet, it's also the first Framework laptop to ship with a touchscreen that can rotate nearly 360 degrees to lay flat against the keyboard, making this the first Framework 2-in-1. I was pretty excited to go hands-on with the Framework Laptop 12 at the reveal event back in February, but I had to wait until this month to try and build one for myself. See, since these laptops are designed to be opened and modified by the owner, you can order them in a "DIY Edition" that comes half-assembled and without key components like an operating system, RAM, or a storage drive. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. The idea is that you can save some money by providing your own components and software, and it's a nice option for experienced tech nerds. But for the rest of us, you can order a fully assembled and ready-to-use Framework laptop directly from the company at a slightly higher price. So while I expect most folks will order a new Framework Laptop 12 fully assembled ($799 to start), you have the option of ordering a DIY model ($549 to start) if you're feeling ambitious. I haven't had a chance to assemble a Framework laptop in a year or two, so when the folks at Framework reached out a while back to offer us a Laptop 12 loaner for review, I said, "Sure, send me the DIY Edition!" Fast forward to earlier this week, when I found myself staring nervously into a box full of Framework Laptop 12 parts and accessories. I was more than a little apprehensive since I'm not terribly handy or technical (I once almost electrocuted a friend who inadvertently tried to use my badly-soldered power cable), but once I got into it, I found the Framework Laptop 12 assembly process to be surprisingly quick and easy—and one particular innovation stood out to me because it seems like a game-changer for the Framework Laptop DIY process. The entire assembly process of the Framework Laptop 12 feels a bit easier than any other Framework machine I've used." I've opened a few models of Framework laptop at this point, and every time, the aspect I find most frustrating is managing the ribbon cable which runs between the innards of the laptop and the Input Cover (the "lid" with the keyboard and touchpad on it). As far as I know, this ribbon cable was key to ensuring your input on the touchpad was transmitted to the laptop, and I was always nervous about fiddling with it because any kink or short in the cable could cause the laptop to work incorrectly until I opened it back up and fixed my error. But while assembling the Framework Laptop 12 DIY Edition this week, I was pleasantly surprised to discover there is no cable tying the Input Cover to the innards that you need to worry about. Instead, the Input Cover on the Framework Laptop 12 simply snaps into place with the help of some magnets built into the chassis. It took me a few tries to get it seated just right, but the process was easy, painless, and worry-free. In fact, the entire assembly process of the Framework Laptop 12 feels a bit easier than any other Framework machine I've used. Sliding the RAM stick and SSD into their appropriate slots felt straightforward, and any time I was confused about what to do, I knew I could just look around the laptop and parts for QR codes I could scan to go directly to installation guides from Framework. Don't get me wrong—I still made mistakes and had to disassemble and reassemble the laptop at least once, because I'm a coward who was afraid to seat the RAM and storage deeply enough the first time around. So don't feel scared or nervous about building your own Framework; you're not alone, and even lunkheads like me can muddle through it with the aid of Framework's extensive library of guides. I'm still testing the Framework Laptop 12, so I'm not ready yet to publish a full review or pass judgment on how this 2-in-1 performs as a laptop. But in just the few days I've spent with it so far, I'm impressed. The Framework Laptop 12 has a nice, comfy keyboard that's easy to type on, and the 12.2-inch (1920 x 1200) touchscreen feels sturdy and responds well to stylus input. The aging 13th Gen Intel chip inside feels a little slow by modern standards, but it's still plenty capable for getting work done and some light gaming. Maybe my favorite aspect of this little laptop, besides its easier-than-ever assembly process, is the fact that it comes in cool colors like Bubblegum, Lavender, and Sage. However, I want to run more tests and spend more time with the new Framework Laptop 12 before I publish our full-scored review. Stay tuned!
WIRED
20-04-2025
- WIRED
The Framework Laptop 13 Proves Upgradable Laptops Are the Future
The Ryzen AI 7 350 is on par with the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus or Intel Core Ultra 7 256V, give or take. It's slightly behind in single-core performance, as measured by Cinebench R24, and a half-step ahead in multi-core. These processors aren't known for being a powerhouse. Rather, the focus is all on efficiency. Here's where the AMD chip is solidly in last place. Battery life on the Framework Laptop 13 is improved from prior models, but it's not as long as what you get on a Snapdragon X or Core Ultra Series 2 PC. The light battery test I ran on the Laptop 13 lasted roughly 11 hours, looping a local video at max display brightness. That's eight to 10 hours behind some of the competition, showing how much Intel, Qualcomm, and Apple have raised the bar in the past year. For my typical workload, real-time battery life sank to around 7 and a half hours. That's around the same as on the original Framework Laptop 13 I tested in 2021. If battery life is your main concern, it may be worth waiting to see if Framework introduces an Intel Core Ultra Series 2 Mainboard. Peripheral Woes There are some aspects of the laptop you'll always be stuck with, namely, the chassis. Laptop designs that take full advantage of the more efficient chips in the future should result in thinner laptops without losing performance. We're already seeing this in effect with thinner gaming laptops than ever. Photograph: Luke Larsen But it's also worth noting that some of the other components are somewhat outdated as they are right now. The webcam is a good example. In 2021, when this laptop was first designed, 2-MP webcams at 1080p were a good resolution to expect. Many PCs are moving to 1440p or higher, like the recent M4 MacBook Air. Apple has been upgrading the webcam from 720p in 2020 to 1080p in 2022, and now to 12-MP in 2025. The MacBook Air today costs the same as the MacBook Air from 2020. The lower-resolution screen in the starting configuration is outdated compared to the competition as well. My unit has a higher-resolution 2,880 x 1,920 IPS panel with a 120-Hz refresh rate, which is more than sharp, fast, and color-accurate enough. The matte finish is great for deflecting glare. But that's in a configuration that costs over $1,500. For that price, many laptops offer even sharper OLED panels with significantly higher contrast, and maybe even a touchscreen. The good news is that there's a strong chance Framework will offer newer components to reflect the current standard. The company sells webcam modules, speaker upgrades, and display kits for older machines, and there's no reason to expect there won't be newer versions soon. But those upgrades will cost extra, and once again, you're putting your faith in Framework to deliver. Fortunately, the Framework Laptop 13 is still a great starting place, and it'll be many more years before it feels truly outdated. Today, it's more than just a practical answer to the problem of electronic waste. It's a truly one-of-a-kind laptop.
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Framework keeps fans guessing on February launch event product details
The modular computing company, Framework has confirmed it will announce new products at the end of the month. The brand, known for its easy-to-configure and upgrade designs, will host an event introducing its second-generation hardware on February 25 at 10:30 a.m. (1:30 p.m. EST). Framework has put up a splash page teasing the event in a coded emoji fashion, suggesting its new products will be colorful, flexible, powerful, and something for gamers. Giving one of the emojis is a beachball made of primary colors, the Verge suggested that the brand could be hinting at a 2-in-1 style Chromebook with a 360-degree hinge. This design allows devices to be used in different stances, other than the standard clamshell laptop form. Framework also detailed that pre-orders for at least one of its new products will be available on launch day. The brand urges that consumers create an account if they are interested in getting early access. The event will be Framework's first major launch in two years. The brand last unveiled devices in March 2023, which include the Framework Laptop 16, and two Framework Laptop 13 models. Since then the brand has kept its products up to date following the latest components on the market. Notably, the brand launched a Framework Laptop Chromebook edition device in 2022 that was considered innovative at the time. Framework is also opening invites to its upcoming event to enthusiasts, especially those who frequent the brand's online forum. 'In addition to bringing in press and partners, we're opening a pool of invites to the Framework Community to attend the event in person, meet the team, and get hands-on with our newest products,' Framework said in a statement. Those interested in attending can apply here to attend the event. The brand noted that applying does not guarantee an invitation. For those who can't make it in person, Framework will be streaming the event on YouTube.
