I am old enough to remember a time when there were ways to upgrade laptops, and it was the norm to be able to expand or change what a laptop could do. In the age of the ultrabook, most of that modularity is gone, at least if you are not Framework. This is a company I have been trying to get into since I first heard of it and saw the potential. Enter the Framework 13 Laptop, the company’s latest entry into the modular laptop space that’s as innovative as it is stylish. Designed with repairability and upgradability in mind, the Framework 13 is a breath of fresh air in an industry that often prioritizes form over function.
The Framework laptop is a bit of a different unboxing experience. The Framework 13 comes in simple, eco-friendly packaging that reflects the company’s commitment to sustainability. Upon opening the box, you’ll find the laptop itself, along with a selection of modular ports and the handy Framework screwdriver for easy customization. Inside, the components are neatly organized and individually wrapped, making it easy to identify and access each piece.
For those who choose the DIY edition, the unboxing process is even more exciting as you get to assemble the laptop yourself. The included guide provides clear, step-by-step instructions with helpful illustrations, making the assembly process straightforward even for those new to computer building. It’s a satisfying experience to see the laptop come together piece by piece, knowing that you have full control over its configuration.
As you remove each component from its packaging, you can’t help but appreciate the attention to detail and build quality. The laptop’s aluminium chassis has a high-quality feel, and the individual parts, such as the expansion cards and input cover, fit together with precision. It’s immediately clear that a lot of thought and care has gone into the design and manufacture of each element.
“Designed with repairability and upgradability in mind, the Framework 13 is a breath of fresh air in an industry that often prioritizes form over function.”
With the laptop, it is frankly hard to understand why companies have not done more of this before. It feels like a Eureka idea that should have been introduced years ago, although I’m glad we have it now. The Framework 13’s aluminium chassis is sturdy and well-built, with a matte finish that resists fingerprints and smudges. The laptop’s minimalist aesthetic is both professional and stylish, making it suitable for a variety of environments, from the office to the coffee shop.
Even though it is incredibly serviceable, it still manages to be a laptop I would like to show off, and part of that goes into the company’s design and core concept with the laptop. Even the screen is fantastic, much better than I expected for a laptop of this type. The 13.5-inch screen has a 3:2 aspect ratio, which provides more vertical space than the traditional 16:9 ratio found on most laptops. This extra vertical real estate is particularly beneficial for productivity tasks such as coding, writing and web browsing, as it allows you to see more content without scrolling. The display also features thin bezels that maximize screen real estate while keeping the overall footprint of the laptop compact.
The screen itself is bright and crisp, with excellent colour reproduction and viewing angles. It has a resolution of 2256 x 1504, which translates to a sharp 200 pixels per inch. The display is also coated with an anti-glare finish, which helps reduce reflections and makes it easier to use in bright environments.
The Framework 13 features a full-size, backlit keyboard with satisfying key travel and tactile feedback. The keys are well-spaced and have a smooth, matte finish that feels comfortable under your fingers. The keyboard layout is standard, with no surprises or awkward key placements. The touchpad is also generously sized and responsive, with support for multi-touch gestures. It also includes a webcam and microphone that is serviceable for Zoom meetings and features an easy slide to cover the camera and the microphone when not in use, a great touch I did not expect.
Up to this point, I have been impressed by what the Framework 13 brings to the table, but I have not really touched on what makes it so special, and that is its modular design. The laptop features four expansion card slots, two on each side, which can be easily swapped out to accommodate a variety of ports and accessories. These expansion cards are hot-swappable, meaning you can change them on the fly without having to power down the laptop. The available expansion cards include USB-C, USB-A, HDMI, DisplayPort, microSD, and even Ethernet, giving you the flexibility to tailor your port selection to your specific needs.
Inserting these expansion cards into your laptop could not be easier. They fit snugly into their slots with no wiggle or play. They are held in place by a clever locking mechanism that is both secure and easy to use. To remove a card, simply press the button on the bottom of the laptop, and the card will pop out. As well as being convenient, this modular design also helps to future-proof the laptop, as you can easily add new ports and functionality as your needs change over time. Frankly, I have had chargers that were more difficult to use than this modular system, and Framework should be commended for this.
“Once inside, you can swap components as needed, making the Framework 13 one of the most serviceable laptops on the market.”
Although I didn’t do it for this review, another particularly unique feature of the Framework 13 Laptop is the ability to upgrade almost everything, including the laptop’s mainboard. This means that you can easily upgrade your processor, memory or storage in the future, extending the life of your laptop and saving you money in the long run. The mainboard is accessed by removing the keyboard, which is held in place by a few screws and clips. Once inside, you can swap components as needed, making the Framework 13 one of the most serviceable laptops on the market.
What is even more surprising is even with everything I have discussed up to now, including the ability to change out parts, the Framework 13 maintains a slim and lightweight profile. It measures just 15.85mm thick and weighs 1.3kg, making it easy to carry around in a backpack or briefcase. While it is not the thinnest laptop on the market, the simple fact it can be changed up and you no longer need to throw away entire laptops when you need a speed boost or more RAM is simply amazing, and as an added bonus, also good for the environment.
The Framework 13 Laptop starts at $999 for the base model, which includes a Core i5 processor, 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage. While this may seem steep compared to other Ultrabooks on the market, it’s important to remember that you’re paying for the laptop’s unique modular design and upgradeability. With the ability to easily swap out components and customize your ports, the Framework 13 has the potential to last much longer than a traditional laptop. When you only need to buy the parts you need to upgrade in a few years’ time, you can see why the small premium is worth the investment.
Although it may sound too good to be true, the Framework manages to deliver an ultrabook experience, even with all its features, and that includes being a relatively powerful laptop. Now temper your expectations: this is not a gaming machine. The unit I tested had an AMD Ryzen 7840U with Radeon 780M graphics and 16 GB of RAM, and it performed admirably across a range of tasks, including light video editing, browsing and even some gaming. It won’t replace your gaming desktop, but it’s not meant to. The laptop feels snappy and delivers a very fluid experience in all the tasks I put it through.
I should note that although the Framework 13 is not designed to be a gaming machine, it does have a GPU that is very similar to the one found in the ROG Ally and Steam Deck, so it has the potential to run some titles. You will have to tweak the settings to get a solid performance, but I have to say that the AMD Ryzen 7840U is a very capable mobile chip that allows even laptops like the Framework 13 to deliver an experience that I would not have thought possible in a thin and light laptop, especially one that is also upgradeable.
I tried Rainbow Six Siege, Shadow of the Tomb Raider and even Baldur’s Gate 3 and Diablo 4, and they were all very playable. With the help of AMD’s FSR, 1080P gaming was pushed to well over 30fps, and while it won’t compete with a console, it’s more than serviceable for a quick game on the go. Even games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Elden Ring were playable, but as I mentioned, you will not get a full console-quality experience here, and raytracing is off the table unless you want a slideshow. Still, I was impressed with what this little machine could do; it far exceeded my expectations.
“The Framework 13 is a truly unique device that’s sure to appeal to anyone who values customization and upgradability.”
Battery life was also relatively good, with it achieving around 8-9 hours of life while using the Adobe suite, with some light media consumption. This would drop if you push the system with gaming or intensive applications, but even still, Framework has managed to make a laptop that feels very capable, even with the need to be modular and upgradable, and that is something I am amazed to see.
Having said that, as much as I love what the Framework does, it is not for everyone. If you’re looking for the absolute cheapest laptop on the market or don’t care about upgradeability or repairability, there are plenty of other options. It is even possible to buy a one-year-old laptop if you just want something to type documents or do your usual tasks. I would also not recommend the framework to people who are afraid of getting their hands dirty, at least not without talking to them first, as it can be intimidating to mess with your computer hardware, although I assure you it is incredibly easy and well worth the time.
The Framework 13 is a truly unique device that’s sure to appeal to anyone who values customization and upgradability. With its modular design, premium build quality, and wide range of accessories, it’s a laptop that’s built to last. It’s a device that’s as innovative as it is practical, and it’s sure to make waves in the laptop world for years to come.
