Framework Laptop computer 13 assessment: Construct your individual laptop computer

At a look

Skilled’s Score

Professionals

Customizable, repairable, and upgradable
Select your individual ports
Detailed restore documentation
Affordable Core Extremely efficiency with stable construct high quality
A bodily mic shutoff change

Cons

On the costly facet for the specs
Not the perfect battery life, particularly in comparison with Snapdragon laptops

Our Verdict

The Framework Laptop computer 13 is predicated on a compelling imaginative and prescient of a doable future, and a few PC fans will love constructing, upgrading, and repairing their very own laptop computer. However this isn’t the appropriate machine for the typical PC purchaser.

The Framework Laptop computer 13 is exclusive. This isn’t simply one other laptop computer: It’s a system designed for upgradability, modularity, and repairability. With the DIY version, you construct the laptop computer your self. Meaning you’re answerable for inserting the RAM and storage, screwing on the keyboard, and selecting which ports you need on the edges of the laptop computer.

I reviewed the most recent Framework Laptop computer 13, which incorporates an Intel Core Extremely Collection 1 processor — that is Intel’s Meteor Lake {hardware}. I obtained my palms on the DIY version, however you will get this laptop computer in prebuilt kind. You too can get an improve equipment and use it to improve your earlier technology Framework Laptop computer 13 to the newest CPU.

Framework’s laptops are arduous to assessment as a result of they’re so distinctive. As somebody who’s constructed desktop PCs, that is the closest expertise I’ve had with a laptop computer. Moreover, Framework laptops present open-source firmware and are designed with good assist for Linux.

Additional studying: Greatest laptops 2024: Premium, funds, gaming, 2-in-1s, and extra

Framework Laptop computer 13: Specs

Most of the Framework Laptop computer 13’s specs are as much as you. Framework’s configuration web site will assist you choose precisely what {hardware} you need. You may get this laptop computer in considered one of two varieties: Pre-built with Home windows preinstalled, or in DIY kind. For those who go DIY, you’ll should assemble the laptop computer your self and set up no matter working system you like — Home windows or Linux. I went the DIY route and put in Home windows 11 so I may run PCWorld’s customary benchmarking instruments on this method.

The Framework Laptop computer 13 appears like a laptop computer from an alternate actuality.

The Framework Laptop computer 13 DIY bundle Framework loaned to me included an Intel Core Extremely 7 155H CPU, though this method can be accessible with Core Extremely 5 125H and Core Extremely 7 165H CPUs. The CPU and mainboard comes “preinstalled” within the laptop computer’s chassis. This laptop computer is simply accessible with Intel Arc graphics — for a devoted GPU, you’ll wish to take a look at the bigger Framework Laptop computer 16.

IDG / Chris Hoffman

Framework additionally despatched alongside a complete of 16GB of DDR5 RAM and a 1TB SSD, each of which I put in myself. Set up is easy — the RAM sticks slide in and snap down, whereas the SSD slides in and desires a single screw. (Framework consists of the only screwdriver you want within the bundle.) You possibly can select quite a lot of different RAM or storage choices within the configuration device — or convey your individual suitable elements. Right here’s the official information to the meeting course of for the DIY version, which was straightforward to comply with. Framework says this course of will take ten to twenty minutes. It took me round twenty minutes — however I used to be snapping images the entire time.

IDG / Chris Hoffman

Ports can even range, as you may select the ports you need in your laptop computer. They’re little rectangular blocks that snap into the slots on the underside of the laptop computer. You possibly can swap these out later — no have to open the laptop computer.

There are additionally quite a lot of different choices you may configure, together with the exact keyboard you need in your laptop computer and the colour of the bezel.

Lastly, in contrast to with some other laptop computer I’ve ever seen, the brand new Intel Core Extremely Collection 1 and mainboard can be found as an improve you may set up in your current Framework Laptop computer 13. That’s fairly cool.

CPU: Intel Core Extremely 7 155H
Reminiscence: 16GB DDR5 RAM
Graphics/GPU: Intel Arc graphics
Show: 13.5-inch 2880×1920 IPS show with 120Hz refresh price
Storage: 1 TB NVMe SSD
Webcam: 1080p webcam
Connectivity: 4x configurable and swappable ports, 1x combo audio jack
Networking: Wi-FI 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
Biometrics: Fingerprint reader for Home windows Hi there
Battery capability: 61 Watt-hours
Dimensions: 11.68 x 9.01 x 0.62 inches
Weight: 2.87 kilos
MSRP: $1,643 as examined (Home windows license not included)

Framework Laptop computer 13: Design and construct high quality

IDG / Chris Hoffman

The Framework Laptop computer 13’s design is traditional: A 13-inch laptop computer with a silver steel physique and black keyboard. The gear-shaped Framework brand on the lid is recognizable to folks accustomed to these laptops. It’s a great-looking brand.

The design can get colourful if you need it to. The bezel across the show is detachable — you’ll be attaching it your self should you assemble a DIY laptop computer. Whilst you can go along with a black bezel, you too can go for different colours like orange or crimson. Framework offered an orange bezel for our assessment.

Moreover, the swappable ports on the edges of the laptops can be found in both a silver steel or a colourful plastic, letting you add coloration to the edges of the laptop computer as properly. You may make it colourful or stick to silver and black, it’s as much as you.

IDG / Chris Hoffman

The construct high quality of the laptop computer is extremely stable, which is spectacular contemplating how straightforward it’s to get the keyboard on and off and achieve entry to the internals of the laptop computer. It appears like a mean trendy 13-inch laptop computer, which is a giant accomplishment contemplating its internals are a lot simpler to get entry to. Due to the all-metal development of the chassis, the laptop computer feels stable and has no bizarre flex to it. Framework says the laptop computer weighs in at 2.87 kilos, so it’s not even a lot heavier than a extra “conventional” laptop computer.

Framework presents all kinds of elements and step-by-step guides for repairs and upgrades. Whereas I’ve cracked open laptops and upgraded the RAM and storage earlier than, Framework’s design makes it a lot simpler. There are only a few screws to loosen. You don’t have to insert a “spudger” and pry the laptop computer open, as you do with so many trendy techniques that aren’t designed to be opened.

Framework Laptop computer 13: Keyboard and trackpad

IDG / Chris Hoffman

The Framework Laptop computer 13 features a good keyboard. It has a white backlight together with chiclet keys. With 1.5mm of key journey, this keyboard in all fairness satisfying to kind on, but it surely’s not fairly as snappy and premium as laptops with larger key journey. The design of the laptop computer could also be getting in the way in which of including extra key journey. But it surely’s a great keyboard. It didn’t gradual me down and it isn’t mushy like it’s on among the worst laptop computer keyboards I’ve used.

The trackpad can be good. It’s a pleasant, moderately sized rectangle of steel beneath the keyboard. Curiously sufficient, that is the one element it’s important to personally join a cable to when placing the laptop computer collectively. (You’ll join a cable from the touchpad to the mainboard after which flip the keyboard over through the DIY meeting course of).

After putting in Framework’s driver bundle for Home windows, the trackpad labored properly, full with multi-finger swiping gestures. The clicking feels high quality, though it’s not as good because the haptic trackpad on some trendy laptops just like the Floor Laptop computer. That exact kind of trackpad isn’t notably frequent but, though it will be good if it have been.

Framework Laptop computer 13: Show and audio system

IDG / Chris Hoffman

The Framework Laptop computer 13 we reviewed included a 13.5-inch 2880×1920 IPS show with a 120Hz refresh price and over 500 nits of brightness and a matte end. (You too can go for a 2256×1504 show with a 60Hz refresh price and a bit much less brightness to avoid wasting cash). Notably, the Framework Laptop computer 13 doesn’t embrace a touchscreen, as many trendy 13-inch laptops do.

It’s a pointy show with excessive pixels per inch that Framework appears happy with, and the mixture of a matte end and a great quantity of brightness helps it resist glare. In fact, another laptops might supply 4K shows, vibrant OLED screens, or greater refresh charges and many individuals might desire these.

The Framework Laptop computer 13 consists of stereo audio system. They provide clear audio, particularly for speech and dialog with no distortion. The amount isn’t unhealthy, though I’ve heard a lot louder from some equally sized laptops currently. Lack of bass is a matter, as regular with laptop computer audio system, so this isn’t the best option to watch a Hollywood film or hearken to bass-heavy music, though the audio system will do properly for on-line conferences, YouTube movies, and a few informal TV present and music streaming.

Framework Laptop computer 13: Webcam, microphone, biometrics

IDG / Chris Hoffman

The Framework Laptop computer 13 features a 1080p webcam. Framework says that it’s utilizing the webcam in a mode that delivers “wonderful 1080p efficiency, particularly in low-light situations.” Whereas I haven’t used a previous-generation Framework Laptop computer webcam, the webcam right here offered a great image and I’d be glad to make use of it in on-line conferences.

Regardless of the usage of a Core Extremely “Meteor Lake” chip with a neural processing unit (NPU,) nonetheless, this laptop computer doesn’t present Home windows Studio Results, a bundle of “AI” webcam results. You received’t be capable to allow results like faux eye contact.

Framework says this laptop computer has “lower-noise microphones for higher audio readability” than the earlier technology mannequin. The microphones appeared moderately clear, though the quantity was on the low facet till I adjusted the Home windows microphone quantity settings. (It was high quality after that).

Above the show, you’ll discover two separate switches: A webcam privateness shutoff change and a microphone privateness shutoff change. These are switches that electrically disconnect the {hardware}. That’s an enormous deal. When laptops do present webcam privateness switches, it’s extraordinarily uncommon to see a bodily change that shuts off the laptop computer’s built-in microphone. Framework must be counseled for this and I hope extra laptop computer producers comply with in its footsteps right here.

The Framework Laptop computer 13 features a fingerprint reader constructed into its energy button on the upper-right nook of the keyboard tray, above the delete key. It really works properly for signing into Home windows with Home windows Hi there. There’s no IR digicam for facial recognition.

Framework Laptop computer 13: Connectivity

The Framework Laptop computer 13’s connectivity choices are largely as much as you. On the left facet, you’ve obtained two swappable ports and a combo audio jack. On the appropriate facet, you’ve obtained two swappable ports. That’s it. 4 swappable ports complete plus an audio jack.

You’ll should plug the laptop computer in to cost through USB-C, so that you’ll wish to select not less than one USB Kind-C port.

Obtainable enlargement playing cards for ports embrace USB Kind-C (Thunderbolt 4/USB4), USB Kind-A (USB 3.2 Gen 2), HDMI (third gen), Ethernet (2.5Gbit/s), DisplayPort (2nd Gen), a microSD reader, and an SD card reader. They’re straightforward to swap out — you don’t should open the laptop computer to swap the ports.

IDG / Chris Hoffman

The power to customise your ports is tremendous cool. It doesn’t even require opening the laptop computer. Nonetheless, you’re solely getting a most of 5 ports (4 plus that audio jack) at any given time. Would some folks be higher off with a laptop computer that features extra built-in ports? Presumably so. However you may all the time swap out the laptop computer’s ports if you need completely different ones.

On the wi-fi radio entrance, you’ve obtained Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 {hardware}. The Wi-Fi labored properly, though it will be good to start out seeing Wi-Fi 7 assist on trendy laptops. Fortunately, the Intel Meteor Lake {hardware} on this system must be the final technology of CPUs that sticks to Wi-Fi 6E as customary.

Framework Laptop computer 13: Efficiency

The Framework Laptop computer 13 carried out properly in day-to-day use and is on par with different Intel Core Extremely 7 155H-powered laptops I’ve used. The followers have been quiet in regular laptop use, solely turning into notably loud throughout benchmarks and heavier workloads.

As all the time, although, we ran the Framework Laptop computer 13 by way of our customary benchmarks to see the way it performs.

IDG / Chris Hoffman

First, we run PCMark 10 to get an concept of total system efficiency. This benchmark is designed to measure total laptop efficiency, but it surely’s notably centered on CPU efficiency.

The Framework Laptop computer 13 delivered an total PCMark 10 rating of 6,171. That’s in the midst of the pack for Core Extremely-powered laptops — sooner than the rating the HP Spectre x360 14-inch 2-in-1 delivered for us, however not as quick because the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon.

IDG / Chris Hoffman

Subsequent, we run Cinebench R20. This can be a closely multithreaded benchmark that focuses on total CPU efficiency. It’s a fast benchmark, so cooling underneath prolonged workloads isn’t an element. However, because it’s closely multithreaded, CPUs with extra cores have an enormous benefit.

With its Cinebench R20 multi-threaded rating of 4,280, the Framework Laptop computer 13 landed in the midst of the pack once more.

IDG / Chris Hoffman

We additionally run an encode with Handbrake. That is one other closely multithreaded benchmark, but it surely runs over an prolonged time frame. This calls for the laptop computer’s cooling kick in, and plenty of laptops will throttle and decelerate underneath load.

The Framework Laptop computer 13 accomplished the encode course of in 1,367 seconds on common — that’s almost 23 minutes. This rating is in the midst of the pack, but it surely’s forward of another laptops that have been beating it within the PCMark and Cinebench R20 benchmarks, demonstrating that the Framework Laptop computer 13 has a fairly good cooling setup for sustained efficiency underneath load.

Whereas it’s not a particularly thick laptop computer, it’s thicker than the typical trendy ultra-thin laptop computer that packs elements in as tightly as doable, so this does make sense and sure improves thermal efficiency.

IDG / Chris Hoffman

Subsequent, we run a graphical benchmark. This isn’t a gaming laptop computer, but it surely’s nonetheless good to test how the GPU performs. We run 3Dmark Time Spy, a graphical benchmark that focuses on GPU efficiency.

This laptop computer’s Intel Arc graphics delivered a rating of three,453. That’s the center of the pack as soon as once more — however forward of among the laptops that have been beating it beforehand. Just like the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x, this laptop computer’s thicker physique doubtless helps it hold cooler underneath load, boosting efficiency.

General, the Framework Laptop computer 13 delivers fairly customary Intel Core Extremely “Meteor Lake” efficiency. It’s not the quickest on some benchmarks that measure high speeds, but it surely has higher sustained efficiency than thinner Core Extremely laptops due to its extra succesful cooling system.

Framework Laptop computer 13: Battery life

The Framework Laptop computer 13 features a 61 Watt-hour battery. Many trendy laptops have bigger batteries and there are not any customization choices to get a bigger battery within the Framework Laptop computer 13. Whereas Intel’s Meteor Lake-powered Core Extremely {hardware} was imagined to be extra centered on efficiency, outcomes have been blended in the actual world.

Moreover, many laptops are getting a battery life increase from utilizing soldered RAM, and the user-swappable RAM in a system like this can use extra energy. So, going into the battery life benchmark, I’d anticipate it to be slightly on the low facet. But it surely was higher than anticipated.

IDG / Chris Hoffman

To benchmark the battery life, we play a 4K copy of Tears of Metal on repeat within the Motion pictures & TV app on Home windows 11 with airplane mode enabled till the laptop computer suspends itself. We set the display screen to 250 nits of brightness for our battery benchmarks. This can be a best-case situation for any laptop computer since native video playback is so environment friendly, and actual battery life in day-to-day use is all the time going to be lower than this.

The Framework Laptop computer 13 lasted a mean of 714 minutes in our battery life benchmark. That’s just below 12 hours. That’s pretty customary for a Meteor-Lake powered laptop computer — perhaps even slightly on the excessive facet — which I used to be happy to see.

Nonetheless, this laptop computer isn’t going to ship the perfect battery life. Arm-based Snapdragon X-powered laptops like Microsoft’s Floor Laptop computer are posting a lot greater numbers in our battery life benchmarks. And, whereas 12 hours feels like numerous battery life, you’re going to get much less in the actual world as you utilize the PC.

This laptop computer may not final you thru an eight hour workday, relying in your workload. That’s not a deal breaker should you’re in a position to plug in in some unspecified time in the future within the workday — it’s simply one thing to remember.

Framework Laptop computer 13: Conclusion

The Framework Laptop computer 13 appears like a laptop computer from an alternate actuality. It’s a laptop computer from a world the place you assemble your individual laptop computer such as you’d construct a desktop PC. It’s a machine you may simply screw open to exchange elements — and even improve the {hardware} to the next-generation. And also you get to swap out the ports for those you want finest.

Need to get contained in the laptop computer and do one thing? Framework will promote you elements and supply detailed DIY guides. You’re not digging by way of discussion board threads and looking for OEM elements on the market on eBay. You’ve obtained an open-source firmware in your machine in addition to nice compatibility with Linux in addition to Home windows.

If that’s what you’re in search of in a laptop computer, Framework delivers.

For those who aren’t offered on the imaginative and prescient, although, you may quibble. It’s slightly on the thick facet and a few folks will need a thinner laptop computer. For those who’re in search of a devoted GPU for higher graphics efficiency, Framework doesn’t supply that as an choice. You may get higher battery life elsewhere — hopefully Intel will proper the ship and change into extra aggressive on battery life with its upcoming Lunar Lake {hardware}.

The worth can be on the excessive facet. The bundle we acquired prices about $1,643, and that’s with out the Home windows license, which you’ll want to purchase from Framework or purchase elsewhere. If worth is what you’re in search of, you don’t should go far to discover a laptop computer with comparable specs that’s lots of of {dollars} cheaper. You’ll discover a lot of them on PCWorld’s checklist of the perfect laptops.

However this laptop computer isn’t designed to be absolutely the least expensive laptop computer. If the Framework Laptop computer 13 appeals to you and also you’d prefer it with Intel Meteor Lake {hardware}, it is a nice machine.