Framework Laptop 13 review: Tear down and repair this powerful laptop

Price When Reviewed

$1,469

Best Prices Today: Framework Laptop 13

It’s 2023 and issues are just a little dystopian within the laptop computer area. Users, extra involved with flashy design and lightweight weight than performance, are flocking to gadgets that may’t be repaired or upgraded. That’s what makes the Framework Laptop 13 one thing distinctive. It’s from a small startup that wishes you to have a dependable, long-lasting gadget that you should use for years to return. If some opponents are quick style from Shein, then Framework’s aiming to be the American Giant hoodie of laptops–not the most affordable, however constructed for the lengthy haul.

To that finish, the Framework features a screwdriver within the field, and has a novel system of modular ports that may be swapped out and adjusted as wanted. It additionally has RAM and an SSD that may be exchanged for commodity elements in minutes as a substitute of requiring new chips must be soldered onto the motherboard.

All of this sounds good on paper, however except for its advertising bullet factors, is it a very good laptop computer? Let’s discover out. 

Looking for extra choices? Check out PCWorld’s roundup of the best laptops out there in the present day.

Framework Laptop 13: Specs

Our overview unit got here outfitted with an Intel Core i7-1360P CPU, Intel Iris Xe graphics, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of NVMe PCIe SSD storage. For extra particulars, take a look at the bulleted record beneath:

• CPU: Intel Core i7-1360P (12 cores, 16 threads, 4 efficiency cores, 8 effectivity cores)
• Memory: 16 GB LPDDR5 (2x 8 GB SODIMMs, consumer upgradeable)
• Graphics/GPU: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
• Display: 13.5-inch 2356×1504 3:3 matte IPS LCD, >400 nits peak brightness   
• Storage: 512 GB M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD
• Webcam: 1080p IR digicam with {hardware} killswitch
• Connectivity:  4x Thunderbolt 4 with different ports selectable with Expansion Cards (4 included), 3.5 mm headset jack
• Networking: Intel AX210 with Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
• Biometrics: Fingerprint scanner
• Battery capability: 61Wh
• Dimensions: 11.66 W x 8.52 L x 0.46 H inches
• Weight: 2.86 kilos, TKTK kilos with AC adapter
• Price as Reviewed: $1,469

Framework Laptop 13: Design and construct high quality

From pictures, the Framework Laptop 13 appears to be like generic. It’d win no less than runner-up in a MacBook Air lookalike contest, with its black chiclet keyboard and silver, tapered design. The Framework gear emblem on the again of the display screen looks like some type of optical phantasm–you possibly can see but it surely’s so inoffensive you’re unlikely to recollect it. Going hands-on with the gadget, I used to be struck by how a lot it appears to be like just like the renders, however fortunately what’s type of a meh design is backed up by sturdy engineering.

Part of the Framework Laptop’s design is its aforementioned repairability. This machine has been designed to be opened rapidly, with solely 5 screws holding the keyboard down, and magnets serving to the remaining stick collectively. That may have been a recipe for flimsiness, however not within the case of the Framework Laptop 13. Not solely is that this comparatively skinny gadget straightforward to pop open, but it surely additionally feels prefer it may survive lengthy sufficient to get repairs and upgrades down the street. At this level, Framework has made three generations of suitable Intel Framework 13 motherboards, and is throwing an AMD Ryzen-based motherboard into the combo later this 12 months. Based on this degree of help, we’re hopeful that you’ve an opportunity at upgrading this Framework 13 with a extra performant motherboard within the years to return.

And if the design is just a little generic-looking to you, you possibly can no less than add just a few customized elements into the combo. Framework themselves provide up alternative show bezels in clear, and some colours that ought to add a pleasant pop to your system. There are additionally different keyboards in black and clear for you 1337 customers who don’t want legends in your keycaps. The whole pc makes use of a mix of latest and pre- or post-consumer supplies, which is sweet to see. 

Framework Laptop 13: Connectivity

IDG / Brendan Nystedt

More than with some other laptops, you’ll have to plan forward when choosing a Framework system. You see, these computer systems don’t have bodily ports by default, as a substitute supplying you with 4 small bays that may match a variety of various “Expansion Cards”. On paper, this setup is extra versatile than different competing laptops, letting you resolve what ports you’ll want when. It may additionally make a restore simpler, if, as an illustration, a USB port is performing flaky, the module slides neatly out of the machine and will be swapped in seconds.

But realistically, this design nonetheless leaves you with solely three port decisions, since considered one of which can at all times must be a USB-C module for charging (there’s no DC-in barrel jack on the Framework Laptop 13, despite the fact that there’s a headset jack). Additionally, some ports price extra so as to add to your laptop computer at buy, with an additional $10 price per HDMI, microSD (the place’s the full-size SD possibility?), or DisplayPort, and $30 additional {dollars} for ethernet. Competing methods like an excellent skinny Asus ZenBook 13 OLED I examined lately crams in a much better array of ports (2x USB-C, HDMI, USB-A) and even Apple’s 14 and 16-inch MacBook Pros include extra ports now (3x USB-C, HDMI, MagSafe for charging, with an SD card slot too)–and also you don’t need to pay additional for the privilege. Modularity has some advantages right here, however the tradeoffs are actual, too.

For wi-fi, the Framework Laptop 13 has an Intel WiFi 6E AX210 card by default, however will be configured with the AX210 with vPro if your organization wants that type of administration. Both playing cards include Bluetooth 5.3 normal. The antennas inside gave me constant, dependable connection each in my house and in a few native cafes, considered one of which sometimes has WiFi that’s flaky when lots of customers soar on the community.

Framework Laptop 13: Keyboard and trackpad

IDG / Brendan Nystedt

If it is advisable to kind lengthy papers or code for days at a time, the Framework Laptop 13 has a keyboard that may sustain with you. Thanks to its snug key throw, satisfying actuation, and pillowy keycaps, I used to be up and typing on the Framework Laptop 13 very quickly in any respect. The format is pretty regular, however has a ahead slash and an enter key which can be proper subsequent to one another, in all probability to accommodate worldwide keyboard layouts in the identical chassis, typically which use an inverted-L formed enter key. If I had any minor quibble with this keyboard it’s that there isn’t a mild to point whether or not or not the perform lock is enabled, however the default habits is to have the perform keys act as their labelled shortcut (quantity, display screen brightness, multimedia and many others.) fairly than F1-F12.

The trackpad is large, clean, and customarily good to make use of. Like with another fashionable PC laptops, I discover that sometimes the palm rejection goes haywire, skipping my cursor round whereas I place my palms over the keyboard to start out typing. When you go to click on, you’ll really feel a tactile button as a substitute of a haptic linear motor, which may allow you to click on extra persistently throughout the floor as a substitute of alongside the underside half. 

Framework Laptop 13: Display, audio system, and webcam

IDG / Brendan Nystedt

On paper, the Framework Laptop 13’s new matte display screen doesn’t appear that thrilling. After all, competing laptops have greater resolutions, cooler show applied sciences like OLED or microLED, or aesthetic tweaks like rounded corners and notches for the webcam. I’m right here to inform you that you need to get excited for the vivid, constrasty, vibrant 3:2 IPS panel on this pc, as a result of it’s tremendous good to make use of. At 2256×1504, you’ll have a tricky time seeing pixels, and I discovered that I had loads of room at 150% scaling in Windows 11 to see lots of content material at a time. The solely time when this tall display screen falls flat is whenever you pull up a widescreen streaming present or YouTube video, since large black bars will present up on the highest and backside. If you’re working so much on the go, there nonetheless isn’t any alternative for a glare-cutting matte display screen.

Framework made some noise (get it?) concerning the 2023 Laptop 13’s improved audio system, and I’ve to say that they’re higher than I anticipated. While you gained’t get thumping bass from these two small down-firing drivers, they get good and loud, whereas retaining midrange sounds clear and simple to listen to. I discovered that the Framework Laptop 13 has ok quantity for having fun with human voices and dialogue, however didn’t do the booming sounds of the Oppenheimer trailer justice like multi-speaker methods in competing computer systems.

IDG / Brendan Nystedt

If you’re the kind of one who slaps on a webcam cowl the minute your new laptop computer is out of the field, you’re going to like the Framework Laptop 13. This pc goes additional than others, not simply placing just a little shutter or a deactivation button on the keyboard, however by together with a bodily swap that disconnects the digicam and microphones impartial of the working system. The digicam itself is a 1080p unit that’s nothing to write down dwelling about (I discovered it to provide a comfortable picture in a decently-lit cafe), flanked by the aforementioned safety switches, an ambient brightness sensor, two microphones, and a webcam indicator mild. 

Framework Laptop 13: Performance

The Framework Laptop 13 justifies its greater worth by together with solely spicier P-rated chips contained in the Intel-powered model. The Intel Core i7-1360P contained in the model I attempted is the mid-tier chip for Framework’s lineup. That mentioned, it’s surprisingly highly effective with its mix of 4 efficiency cores with eight effectivity cores, for a complete of 16 threads. In our assessments, it carried out very properly, albeit with a little bit of fan noise and warmth when the chip places all its cores to work.

IDG / Brendan Nystedt

We benchmark each laptop computer we attempt with PCMark 10. This software program offers us a practical baseline, utilizing on a regular basis duties in a gauntlet. We noticed mid-pack efficiency for a performance-minded skinny laptop computer. The Framework Laptop 13 will certainly carry out properly in on a regular basis duties like net looking, video chats, and in workplace functions.

IDG / Brendan Nystedt

In this efficiency take a look at, we use Cinebench R15 to get a way for the way properly all a laptop computer’s many processor cores staff up for intensive rendering duties. In our assessments, the Framework Laptop 13 carried out solely about in addition to final era’s Intel P-class elements, but it surely’s an admirable end result nonetheless.

IDG / Brendan Nystedt

3D duties, not simply video games, are an necessary a part of fashionable PC life and that’s why each laptop computer we overview will get examined with 3DMark’s Time Spy benchmark. In this take a look at, the Framework Laptop 13 did decently for a machine with Intel’s built-in Xe Graphics, but it surely was embarrassed by the GPU cores included with the AMD Ryzen-based HP Dragonfly.

IDG / Brendan Nystedt

We take a look at each laptop computer by reencoding a high-res video file right into a file meant for a small-screened pill. Thanks to its highly effective cores, the Framework Laptop 13 turned in nice outcomes on this take a look at, crunching via the video file in just a little over 22 and a half minutes, virtually retaining tempo with the in any other case extra performant AMD Ryzen-based HP Dragonfly Pro.

Framework Laptop 13: Battery Life

IDG / Brendan Nystedt

The largest disadvantage of an Intel P-class chip in a laptop computer just like the Framework Laptop 13 is successful to battery life. We measured solely just a little previous six and a half hours in our looping video take a look at, which is unquestionably behind laptops based mostly round U-class Intel processors and much from the mobile-centric Snapdragon chips. Even with an even bigger 61Wh battery on this mannequin, you’ll have to preserve a detailed eye on the battery gauge all through the day. In our expertise, we noticed a drop of 18 p.c per hour underneath mild utilization with a handful of apps open whereas looking the online and working YouTube within the background.

Framework Laptop 13: Should you purchase it?

While its sustainable advertising and repairable design are actually noteworthy, the Framework Laptop 13 is itself a stable laptop computer. This level of documentation and good design is often reserved for enterprise-grade notebooks within the ThinkPad, Latitude, or EliteBook collection from the massive producers, it’s refreshing to see Framework make repairability a mainstream characteristic, in a laptop computer that’s mainstream-friendly. Framework offers people the ability to restore or improve, and even throw a still-working motherboard into a case for use on a desktop. All of this isn’t simply begrudgingly accessible to {hardware} hackers, however simply completed by anybody with the (included) screwdriver.

If the setting and sustainability are prime of thoughts for you, shopping for a previous-gen or refurbished mannequin from Framework’s retailer is probably going a greener strategy to seize considered one of these gadgets. And I’d have most popular to see a design that by default has greater than 4 of a single type of port–the Expansion Cards really feel extra like a gimmick proper now, and drive you to spend more cash for specialised ports that will in any other case be included within the worth. All my gripes apart, with its quicker chips and nice new matte show, the Intel 13th gen-based Framework Laptop 13 could be very good, and a pc that really has an opportunity at serving you for years to return with repairs and upgrades.