I spent time with Framework's new laptop and the upgrades make it worthwhile

Price When Reviewed

$1,946

Best Prices Today: Framework Laptop 13 (2025)

The Framework Laptop 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 13. Aside from a brand new CPU (and the mainboard it comes packaged on) and a revised keyboard, a lot of this new Framework Laptop 13 is equivalent to the mannequin examined final 12 months. While this sameness could 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 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 check unit is simply $699 in any case.  

This upgradeability could make the Framework Laptop 13 a compelling possibility for sure varieties of customers who pursue efficiency upgrades however need consistency in any other case. But for individuals who want a dependable system immediately and revel in occasional adjustments, a lot of our favorite laptops can be found at decrease costs. Even if upgrades sooner or later are costlier, you may attempt to defray these future prices with the sale of your previous machine or just benefit from the second life it may have within the palms of a good friend or member of the family. 

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

Framework Laptop 13 (2025): Specs and options

• CPU: AMD Ryzen AI 7 350
• Memory: 16GB DDR5-5600
• Graphics/GPU: AMD Radeon 860M
• Display: 13.5-inch, 2880×1920 matte IPS with 120Hz refresh charge (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: Windows Hello 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 Windows license or energy adapter)

The new Framework Laptop 13 is constructed round AMD’s new Strix Point 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). Each base configuration features a 2256×1504 matte show, however Framework provides a $140 improve to a 2880×1920 matte show with a 120Hz refresh charge (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 price $10. The keyboard and deck are additionally included within the worth, although Framework has a number of particular choices for $10 extra. 

The base configurations listed include no storage, reminiscence, working system, charger, or enlargement playing cards to offer the laptop computer I/O like USB-C ports or HDMI. You can choose this stuff whereas configuring your laptop computer, and so they’ll elevate the worth in flip. If you have already got any of those, you then’re in a position to skip this stuff and keep away from the additional price at checkout. However, if you happen to don’t have these and must have a ready-to-use laptop computer, the precise base worth will change a bit. For occasion, the $989 base rises to $1,109 for a whole laptop computer, and that’s nonetheless earlier than including a $139 Windows license (you may use Linux without cost as an alternative) and a $59 charger.

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

The 2025 Framework Laptop 13 doesn’t actually change a lot from its predecessors, and that’s by design. Since Framework’s laptops are upgradeable, they characteristic a constant chassis that new elements can slot into. So this new mannequin continues to characteristic the identical all-aluminum development 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 can wiggle for a few seconds earlier than coming to a relaxation. But in any other case, the system feels fairly sturdy. 

In the trouble 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 stress within the center, leaving an ugly hole between the panels.

IDG / Mark Knapp

Each facet 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 ugly and uneven seams. Alas, that simply seems to be the price of customizability, and it might be a tradeoff value making. 

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

Framework Laptop 13 (2025): Keyboard, trackpad

IDG / Mark Knapp

The Framework Laptop 13’s new Gen 2 keyboard is basically satisfying. After somewhat over an hour of use, I used to be in a position to stand up to a typing velocity of 115 phrases per minute with 97 % accuracy in Monkeytype, and by the top of my testing, I bumped that to 121 phrases per minute and 98 % accuracy. On an distinctive keyboard, I discover I can go a bit sooner with nonetheless extra accuracy, however that’s not a foul outcome for the Framework Laptop 13. I discover the keys have first rate journey and stabilization, however a slight sponginess holds them again barely. The keys characteristic white backlighting with a number of ranges of brightness. These bleed out somewhat 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 large as I’ve seen on some Asus or Dell laptops, but it surely’s a good dimension and avoids operating into my palm whereas I’m typing. My fingers glide easily throughout its glass floor, and it tracks my actions effectively. It depresses barely when pressed, providing a largely silent however tactile click on. 

Framework Laptop 13 (2025): Display, audio

IDG / Mark Knapp

The show on the Framework Laptop 13, as configured, is nice. It’s not profitable any awards for its high quality, however its utility is top-notch. The display screen will get extremely brilliant, reaching nearly 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 charge makes all the things clean. Even its distinction is surprisingly sturdy for an IPS show, reaching 1710:1 in my testing. Color isn’t its sturdy go well with, although. It provides a stable 100 % protection of the sRGB colour house, but it surely comes up missing in DCI-P3 colour, the place it solely achieves 86 % protection. 

The audio system are equally utilitarian. They can push out an honest quantity of quantity targeted 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 taking part in. They provide a pleasant sufficient efficiency for music, however not a formidable one, particularly with their missing bass. 

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

The webcam on the Framework Laptop 13 is first rate. It provides 1080p decision and has a reasonably huge angle, making it simple to border your self. While it finally ends up with a variety of noise in low-light scenes, it does an excellent 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. Both the digital camera and microphones have {hardware} switches on the high of the show bezel for disabling them. These are good to see, although they really feel somewhat flimsier than the remainder of the laptop computer’s construct.

For signing into the system, the Framework Laptop 13 has a sq. fingerprint reader on the high proper nook, above the keyboard. This has labored once in a while, however like many fingerprint readers on Windows laptops I’ve examined, it’s not terribly constant.

Framework Laptop 13 (2025): Connectivity

IDG / Mark Knapp

Connectivity on the Framework Laptop 13 is what you make of it. Beyond a built-in 3.5mm audio jack, the system contains 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 out from the facet of the laptop computer. 

While 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. But 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 similar 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 increased energy consumption. 

Framework’s I/O choices are good for a laptop computer this dimension, and the pliability could also be worthwhile for some. There are actually laptops on this class that supply worse and extra restricted I/O. That stated, yow will discover fashions which have extra. Generally you gained’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 sturdy wi-fi connections. It contains an AMD RZ717 Wi-Fi card with assist for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4.

Framework Laptop 13 (2025): Performance

The key replace to the 2025 Framework Laptop 13 is the under-the-hood improve to the most recent cell AMD Ryzen processors. Our check unit will get the mid-level Ryzen AI 7 350, although there are extra and fewer highly effective alternate options obtainable. With this, it’s able to problem a number of the newest and best ultrabooks in the marketplace, just like the $1,689 HP OmniBook Ultra 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 new Framework Laptop 13 places on an excellent present, however not the best possible. It’s a step up over its earlier configuration, which ran on an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H. In the holistic PCMark 10 check, the Framework Laptop 13 retains up with its competitors for essentially the most half. But it doesn’t have sufficient horsepower to drag away from the again by any huge margins. The HP OmniBook Ultra 14 and Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 14 (Gen 10) put it in a tricky spot, as each price much less however run sooner total. 

In uncooked CPU efficiency, the Framework Laptop 13 will get extra of a leg up. The CPU is a potent one for encoding, which may hit CPUs onerous. It completely 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. But once more, the worth goes to the HP OmniBook Ultra 14, which advantages from AMD’s new structure as effectively however brings an much more highly effective chip on the similar time. 

Cinebench R24 solely additional confirms the standings. The Framework Laptop 13 is certainly potent amongst its competitors, with a lot sooner CPU efficiency than the Intel Core Ultra 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 truly lags somewhat bit behind, although, however continues to be sufficient to maintain the system feeling snappy. But once more, the HP OmniBook retains its lead because of the 4 further cores it brings alongside. 

While the Framework Laptop 13 has a robust CPU, Intel nonetheless reveals its may within the graphics division. Even the older Framework Laptop 13 baseboard had sooner 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 13 held up effectively sufficient, and it provides greater than the Snapdragon X Elite within the ThinkPad, but it surely gained’t do a lot past mild gaming. And once more, the HP OmniBook Ultra 14 touts extra worth because of the doubling of GPU cores it will get, permitting it to raised maintain 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 13 (2025): Battery life

The Framework Laptop 13’s 62.3Wh battery is without doubt one of the smallest on this group, but it surely’s not far off. Only the ThinkPad’s 58Wh battery is smaller. It stands to purpose that the Framework may undergo a barely shorter battery life consequently, but it surely fared significantly worse than anticipated.

In our 4K video playback check, the Framework Laptop 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 relaxation all topped 16 hours, which is extra in step with what we would like from ultrabooks attempting to cope with latest 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 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 %.

Framework Laptop 13 (2025): Conclusion

The Framework Laptop 13 is an effective laptop computer throughout, however with out factoring in its key differentiating characteristic, 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 parts or going with one thing else from competing laptop computer makers, you may get a extra competent machine to your cash by going with the latter. It’s a problem of up-front price that can probably all the time hinder the Framework Laptop 13. 

But what’s essential right here is that you simply’re nonetheless getting an excellent laptop computer if you happen to make that up-front funding. Once you’ve, you may find yourself benefiting from improve pathways from Framework that will make it way more aggressive towards its rivals. For occasion, if you wish to improve from an previous laptop computer to the HP OmniBook Ultra 14, you’ll pay $1,689. By distinction, if you have already got a Framework Laptop 13 and wish to improve to this one, you don’t must pay the $1,946 this entire unit prices — you may simply purchase the $699 baseboard as an alternative, and even the $999 Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 baseboard to return even nearer to the OmniBook Ultra 14’s specs. By upgrading solely the elements it’s worthwhile to improve, you get monetary savings on issues just like the show, keyboard, audio system, battery, and chassis that you simply don’t improve. 

This finally could depart some parts of the Framework Laptop 13 lagging behind, however because it’s typically first rate throughout, you at the least gained’t get caught with dangerous elements. There are nonetheless loads of variables you’ll wish to think about, like whether or not you are inclined to promote or give away your previous laptops as hand-me-downs — choices the Framework Laptop 13 precludes. But if you happen to are inclined to improve your laptop computer each couple of years to maintain its efficiency up-to-speed, the Framework Laptop 13 offers you an excellent piece of {hardware} and the potential of accelerating worth the longer you retain it in service with upgrades by way of the years.