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Engadget
4 days ago
- Engadget
Framework Laptop 12 review: Doing the right thing comes at a cost
Earlier this year, Framework announced it was making a smaller, 12-inch laptop and a beefy desktop to go alongside its 13- and 16-inch notebooks. A few months later, and the former has arrived, putting the same modular, repairable laptop into a slightly smaller body. Unlike its bigger siblings, the Laptop 12 is a 12.2-inch touchscreen convertible clad in brightly colored plastic. It's aimed at students, with a focus on robustness and quality you won't see in the usual machines you find at the top of the bargain list. My initial impression is that it's a damn charming piece of gear, but I immediately wonder how many kids in school will actually get to use this thing given it's far pricier than its competitors. Framework's 12-inch laptop is an alternative to low-cost laptops, but it is too expensive to compete. $799 at Framework Laptop 12 is the first Framework machine clad entirely in ABS plastic, available in black, pink, lavender, gray and green. As soon as you open the packaging, you'll be instantly charmed by its look and feel given how different it is from the rest of the market. My green and off-white review unit (which the company calls 'Sage') stands out from the crowd almost by default. Framework founder Nirav Patel has long harbored dreams of bringing back the translucent and colorful aesthetics found in Nintendo's Game Boy Color. Here, the 12 reminds me of the OLPC XO or one of the fancier LeapFrog 'computers' that glowed up when you weren't looking. Daniel Cooper for Engadget Its footprint isn't dramatically smaller than the 13-inch model, but because it doesn't taper like its bigger sibling, it feels a lot chunkier. The chassis has a metal frame clad in two layers of plastic that, the company promises, will take whatever shocks and bumps you throw at it. It also has the same quartet of expansion card slots, which are now available in a variety of colors if you want things to match (or clash). Plus, all of those cards can be shared with the other Framework machines since they're all, mercifully, uniform size. Framework clearly learned from making its bigger machines, adding several quality of life tweaks to the 12 for both daily use and repair. The folks who regularly open and close their Framework laptop will instantly spot the changes that will make things a lot easier. For a start, the input cover is held in place with more screws (eight, compared to the 13's five), which better balances tension across the surface area. The input cover now slots into grooves on the front of the deck, making it easier to place than the 13. More importantly, the input cover connects to the mainboard via pogo pins rather than with a ribbon cable. I don't think I've ever damaged a ribbon cable myself, but it's always a worry if someone tries to yank off the lid without first disconnecting it from the mainboard. Daniel Cooper for Engadget Rather than screwing the SSD in place, Framework now uses a hinged plastic clip that you press in to secure the drive. Similarly, there's a little flip-down plastic cover to protect the RAM, with a large printed reminder to flip it back once you've installed the DIMM. Naturally, the board layout has changed, as has the battery — to a smaller, 50Wh cell — so the mainboard and battery won't work with its slightly larger sibling. (Aside: If you're a hobbyist hoping the 12-inch mainboard will be dramatically smaller than the 13-inch model to make smaller projects, expect to be disappointed. It is smaller, but not by such a significant degree that you probably wouldn't rather just use the 13-inch model instead.) Daniel Cooper for Engadget The power button has been moved from the keyboard to the right side of the deck, next to the expansion card slots. There's no fingerprint reader, either, which is one of several omissions you can attribute to 'cost saving,' 'this is a machine made for kids' or both . Would-be buyers get the choice of a 13th-generation Core i3-1315U or a Core i5-1334U, which can support up to 48GB of DDR5 RAM, albeit only at the slower DDR5-5200. You can throw in an M.2 SSD with up to 2TB of storage, and if that's not enough, you can get an additional 256GB or 1TB unit to sit in one of the laptop's four expansion card slots. Patel knows enough about keyboards and trackpads not to mess with what works, and what people like. The keyboard and touchpad are as robust and pleasing to use as you find on the 13-inch model. I'm not sure yet, but I might actually prefer typing on the 12-inch keyboard compared to the 13's, maybe because of the former's all-plastic build and the slightly louder, punchier keyclicks. Daniel Cooper for Engadget This machine was offered as a better, longer-lasting and more sustainable alternative to those dirt-cheap laptops sold to kids and students. But while everything already mentioned is more than good enough, we soon start to see where the cost-saving trims have been made. This is the first Framework to ship with a touchscreen, which is a 12.2-inch, 1,920 x 1,200 glossy LCD with a max brightness of 400 nits. In short, it's the same sort of screen you'll find on a lot of lower-end notebooks and so adjust your expectations accordingly. The gloss is an occupational hazard given it's a touchscreen, but the weaker backlight means you'll deal with the usual high-reflections and washed-out view in bright light. Framework is presently developing its own stylus, but until that launches, the laptop is compatible with any USI 2.0 or MPP 2.0 stylus. You'll have to source your own right now, and for the review, I was supplied with a Metapen M2 for testing. So far, however, I've found the pen experience to be more than a little frustrating, with the palm rejection a big issue. It needs a tweak — and I'm sure it'll be addressed swiftly — given the amount of times I prodded open a menu or closed a window with the flesh on the side of my hand. Similarly, the 2-megapixel webcam is a big step down from the 9.2-megapixel sensor found in the 13-inch model. Again, you can expect the same washed out, artifact-heavy video as you would find in many other low-cost laptop cameras. Framework has worked to improve its sound quality over the last few years but the size of the 12's chassis is a limiting factor. The pair of 2W speakers here are tinny and quiet even at full volume, but at least they don't rattle or vibrate with heavy bass. My review unit was equipped with a Core i5 with 16GB RAM, and it was more than able to handle the sort of stuff you'd expect to perform on a machine of this class. Writing the bulk of this review, watching videos, viewing and tweaking images are all well within this machine's reach. Hell, I even managed to get Hardspace: Shipbreaker to play, but not very well, and while Fortnite does run, it's janky enough to not be worth your while. Again, tweaked drivers will likely tidy those issues up, but I suspect this machine doesn't have enough grunt for doom room gamers. Of course, it's a Framework laptop, so you can already guess the one major issue that pops up whenever you put the silicon under load. As usual, the fan noise is pretty noticeable when the hardware temperature rises, and I wouldn't recommend you using this thing on your lap. And you should expect to have this thing plugged in for the duration of your time using it, as the battery life isn't stellar. If you're using this to run any sort of demanding app or game, you won't get more than four hours on a single charge. Daniel Cooper for Engadget Right now, you can only buy the pre-built edition in black, with the DIY version the only place you can pick your chassis color. It's available in gray, lavender, bubblegum and sage, and I'd heartily recommend you picking any of those options over the standard black. The pre-built edition starts at $799 with an Intel Core i3-1315U, 8GB of RAM, 512GB SSD and Windows 11 Home. If you want to step that up to the higher-end Performance model with an i5-1334U, 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD, it'll set you back $1,049. On the other hand, you can pick up the DIY edition for $549 (for the i3) or $699 (for the i5), leaving you to source your own RAM, SSD and OS. I'll admit I'm struggling to work out what the Framework 12's competitors are, since this is a tricky machine. When announced, the company said it was an alternative to the sort of entry-level laptops bought for kids and students, which are 'janky, locked-down, disposable, underpowered and frankly, boring.' This means it's going up against $500 notebooks and Chromebooks, the likes of which you'll normally find on sale at Best Buy. The ones that, you know, have a reputation for surviving until a week after the warranty expires, leaving you out of pocket until the next sale. From a utilitarian perspective, the higher price is offset by the knowledge it should outlast every other computer in your kids' cohort. Not only is it durable and repairable, but you should be able to swap out the mainboard in two or three years' time to keep pace with technology. But, by that same utilitarian argument, you could just as easily pick up a refurbished Framework 13 with a Core i5-1340P, when available, for just $779. Daniel Cooper for Engadget I'm fond of the Framework Laptop 12 because I can easily see it having a place in my life when I'm on the go. It's cute, good-looking and small enough you could easily throw it into a bag when you're in a hurry. The durability of the chassis and repairability, plus the swappable expansion cards, means it should run for years and years. And it's fun! I love the idea of a little laptop that stands out against the endless rows of cheap black plastic or silver aluminum notebooks. Those dirt-cheap notebooks built with low-end parts and sold to kids and students for $300 or so aren't much good for anything. If you want quality, you'll need to cough up for it, and this will at least last for years without endless replacements. But. The limited performance and battery life here gives me pause and I'm not sure a machine that, right now, needs a stretch to run Fortnite would be too popular. My gut tells me Framework had intended to sell this for less before tariffs pushed the prices up beyond what made sense. But as a consequence, the Framework Laptop 12 falls between two stools: Not cheap enough to be compelling to the price-sensitive buyers and not powerful enough for people with bigger budgets. Unless you happen to have a spare SSD, RAM and Windows license kicking around that'll bring the cost down to sticker price. My gut tells me that this laptop's real audience will be adults looking for a quirky second device to take on the go.
Indian Express
05-06-2025
- Indian Express
Indian national sentenced to 12 years in US prison for role in ‘defrauding senior citizens of USD 400,000
A 44-year-old Indian illegal immigrant in the US was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison for his alleged role in an impostor scam worth USD 400,000 that defrauded senior citizens in three American states. It was in February that a federal jury convicted Nirav Patel, an Indian citizen, of one count of conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud, three counts of wire fraud, and one count of illegal entry into the US by an Alien Enemies Act of 1798. According to a statement by US Attorney Steven D Weinhoeft of the Southern District of Illinois, '(Patel) admitted that he came to Illinois because the state would give him a driver's license, and then he used that license to steal from the elderly all across the Midwest. We will continue to do all we can to remove this criminal element from our country.' The scam, which came to light in December 2024, involved fraudsters posing as government officials. 'This scheme targeted elderly victims with text messages and emails purportedly warning that their Amazon accounts had been compromised. When the victims followed up on the messages, they were redirected to scammers posing as federal agents who convinced the victims that they were victims of identity theft who needed to withdraw their life savings to be held in phony USTreasury or FTC trust accounts for safekeeping,' the statement said. The statement added that the money, 'in reality, was stolen and ultimately transferred to accounts controlled by the scammers in India. The fraudsters kept the victims on the hook by calling them constantly, sometimes for up to 12 hours a day. The scammers also threatened victims with criminal liability if they told their friends or family what was going on.' Patel had been accused of traveling to the elderly victims' residences to pick up cash and assets. Trial testimony in the case 'established' that, in one instance, Patel picked up USD 77,000 in gold bars from an elderly resident at her assisted living facility, even though she was pushing a walker and on oxygen. In addition to the fraud charges, Patel was also convicted for entering the US illegally, with 'evidence' showing that Patel sneaked into the country near Vancouver before 'connecting with the fraudsters' in Georgia. Patel's fraud operation was based in Chicago, where he could get an Illinois driver's license despite being in the U.S. unlawfully. From there, he drove hundreds of miles through Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana to take money and gold from elderly victims on behalf of the fraud scheme. In imposing the 12-year sentence, the Court rejected Patel's claim that he 'had no idea what was going on', stating that the scammers entrusted Patel with hundreds of thousands of dollars at a time. The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Edwardsville Police Department, the Merrill Wisconsin Police Department, the Lincoln County Wisconsin Sheriff's Office, and the Franklin Indiana Police Department.
Time of India
04-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Gujarati man sentenced to 12 years in US for living illegally, defrauding elderly
Representative image AHMEDABAD: A Gujarati man living illegally in the US for 12 years was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison for his role in a fraud scheme that targeted elderly people in Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin. The conviction was announced by the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Illinois on Tuesday. Nirav Patel, 44, who hails from North Gujarat, was convicted in February by a federal jury. The charges included one count of conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud, three counts of wire fraud, and one count of illegal entry into the United States, said officers. 'This illegal alien (Patel) admitted that he came to Illinois because the state would give him a driver's license, and then he used that license to steal from the elderly all across the Midwest,' said US Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. The fraud was carried out as an imposter scam. Victims received texts or emails saying their Amazon accounts were compromised. When they responded, they were connected to fraudsters pretending to be federal agents. The victims were told to withdraw their savings for protection against supposed identity theft and deposit the funds into fake US govt accounts. In reality, the money was stolen and sent to accounts in India controlled by the scammers, said officers. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Click Here To Read More - micro segmentation software Expertinspector Click Here Undo Patel worked as a courier, personally collecting cash, gold, and other assets from the victims. According to trial evidence, he once picked up $177,000 worth of gold bars from an elderly woman using a walker and oxygen at her assisted living facility. 'These scams need people on the ground in the US in order to be successful, and those willing to help them should receive stiff sentences,' the court said during sentencing. Patel entered the US illegally near Vancouver. He later connected with the fraud group in Georgia and moved to Chicago. There, he obtained a driver's license illegally and travelled through Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana to collect money on behalf of the network. 'This case highlights the serious public safety risks posed by individuals who enter the United States illegally and exploit our systems to target some of the most vulnerable among us,' said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Chicago Special Agent in Charge Matthew Scarpino. The Federal Trade Commission reported in March 2025 that imposter scams are now the most common type of consumer fraud in the US.
Daily Maverick
22-04-2025
- Health
- Daily Maverick
Newly renovated paediatric burns unit at Baragwanath Hospital a ‘huge boost'
A newly renovated paediatric burns unit has been launched at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital in Soweto, Johannesburg, as part of an effort to improve the care and treatment outcomes for young surgical and burns patients. The state-of-the-art unit, opened on 27 March, was renovated using a R26-million donation from the nonprofit Surgeons for Little Lives, in partnership with the Wells Foundation. Dr Nirav Patel, a director at Surgeons for Little Lives and paediatric surgeon at Baragwanath, said that the improvements had nearly doubled the intensive care unit [ICU] capacity for burns patients from six to 11 beds. 'Our capacity is very important because we're one of only two paediatric burns referral centres in the country. We often get referred the sickest burns patients,' he explained. 'Part of the charity [Surgeons for Little Lives] is that we want to make things better at the hospital. We want to make things better for the children that we serve. We all think that it's a privilege to be able to work here… To be able to work in this environment and treat the patients that come here. It really is an honour.' The country's only other state paediatric burns unit is at Red Cross Children's Hospital in Cape Town. Revamping patient care The facilities at the burns unit have been revamped, resulting in increased bed capacity in the general ward and a 'more child-friendly environment', said Patel. Other outcomes of the renovations include: An improved flow within the unit to minimise the risk of acquired hospital infections; Improved dressing rooms and wards; Space provided for rehabilitative services, such as occupational therapy and physiotherapy; and The provision of public restroom facilities. 'It's also a much more work-friendly environment for the people that have to work there, because for the doctors, nurses and allied staff, it's actually quite a traumatic place to work because you're dealing with young children with severe injuries, mostly preventable, with overall higher mortality rates than other children that are admitted,' said Patel. Professor Jerome Loveland, head of solid organ transplantation at the Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre and chairperson of Surgeons for Little Lives, described the renovated unit as a 'beacon of hope' for the children and families who rely on it for care. 'Burns are one of the leading causes of trauma among children and this unit will play a crucial role in saving lives and improving recovery outcomes… This is a vital development for the broader community and we are incredibly proud to be part of it,' he said at a press release issued by Surgeons for Little Lives. The upgraded ICU capacity and the introduction of rehabilitative services stand to 'drastically improve' the long-term care and recovery of children who have suffered burns, according to Professor Adelin Muganza, general surgeon and director of the burns unit at Baragwanath. Combating burn injuries Paediatric burns are a 'massive public health problem' all over South Africa, according to Patel. Baragwanath admits between 500 and 600 children for burn injuries every year. 'Sometimes the unit is full, so you will see a child in casualty that you'd normally admit… We see about 300 or 400 of them in casualty [each year],' he said. 'That's only data for Baragwanath, that's not telling you the number of children that are being burnt and treated at local clinics or at regional hospitals… It's also important to note that paediatric burns are largely preventable. It's a disease that occurs because of other problems. It's not necessarily a disease that has to happen,' he said. Surgeons for Little Lives is not only attempting to improve the treatment of burns, but also the prevention of these injuries, continued Patel. 'For the past four years, we've had quite an extensive education-based paediatric burns prevention programme running throughout Gauteng province… We employ community healthcare workers to go to clinics. We develop material so that we can educate mothers on the risk of burns in their children, in the hopes that by giving them this message, we will decrease the number of burns that we have to treat,' he said. 'It's not just about providing an improved quality of service in the hospital. It's also about trying to decrease the demand for a service for a preventable injury.' DM
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Future Pak submits proposals to acquire Theratechnologies
Future Pak announced that it has submitted two formal proposals since January to acquire all outstanding shares of common stock of Theratechnologies (THTX). The most recent proposal, which remains open for consideration by Theratechnologies and its Board of Directors, offers a cash consideration of $3.51-$4.50 per share. The proposal represents a total enterprise value of up to $255M, comprising: $205 million in cash at closing, and Up to $50 million in contingent value right payments, including: 50% of the annual EGRIFTA(R) franchise gross profit above $30 million annually for three years post-closing. A $10 million one-time milestone payment if cumulative EGRIFTA gross profit exceeds $125 million over the same three-year period. This offer implies a 164% to 238% premium to Theratechnologies' closing stock price of $1.33 as of April 10, 2025. 'To move this process forward efficiently and deliver compelling value to Theratechnologies' shareholders, we have submitted multiple offers outlining a flexible and attractive framework,' said Nirav Patel, Chief Growth Officer at Future Pak. 'We believe this proposal provides significant upside and a solid foundation for constructive dialogue, with the goal of achieving a mutually beneficial transaction.' Despite repeated outreach and the submission of two detailed proposals-each offering a premium of more than 100% over Theratechnologies' trading price-Future Pak has received minimal engagement from the company to date. Future Pak confirms that the transaction would not be subject to a financing contingency and has the full support of its strategic financial partner, Colbeck Capital Management. Future Pak has engaged Bourne Partners Securities LLC as financial advisor and Honigman LLP as legal advisor. Given access to standard due diligence materials, Future Pak believes it could reach a definitive agreement and announce a transaction within four to six weeks. Discover outperforming stocks and invest smarter with Top Smart Score Stocks. Filter, analyze, and streamline your search for investment opportunities using Tipranks' Stock Screener. Published first on TheFly – the ultimate source for real-time, market-moving breaking financial news. Try Now>> See the top stocks recommended by analysts >> Read More on THTX: Disclaimer & DisclosureReport an Issue Theratechnologies Reports Strong Q1 2025 Growth Theratechnologies' Earnings Call: Growth Amid Challenges Theratechnologies Achieves Revenue Growth and Secures Key FDA Approvals in Q1 2025 Theratechnologies reports Q1 revenue $19.047M vs $16.247M last year Theratechnologies sees FY25 revenue $80M-$83M
