Framework 12 aims at ‘janky, locked-down, disposable, underpowered, and frankly boring [laptops]’

Today, repairable laptop maker Framework previewed the new Framework Laptop 12 — a smaller budget option — alongside a new version of its flagship Framework Laptop 13 with AMD’s recent Ryzen AI 300 series processors inside.

The two laptops represent what Framework is referring to as its “Gen 2” offerings, which include a major expansion into a desktop PC as well.

Throughout five years of business, Framework has focused on the Framework Laptop 13, which has seen seven iterations. Two years ago, Framework launched a version with a Ryzen 7040 CPU and motherboard inside it. The 2023 Framework Laptop 13 also shipped with a 13th-gen Intel Core option, providing users with the choice between a Ryzen and a Core processor.

Today, Framework preserves that option with the 2025 Framework Laptop 12, which houses the 13th-gen Core. The Laptop 13, however, has moved on to offering a motherboard option that includes AMD’s powerful Ryzen AI 300 chip.

Framework

Framework was founded upon the fundamental principle that certain electronics components like batteries may wear out over time while others like CPUs may simply become obsolete as newer, more powerful parts replace them. While laptops from other manufacturers may be serviceable, Framework developed its laptops to be repairable or replaceable, so that consumers who know how to turn a screwdriver could repair and upgrade a laptop like a desktop. Most of the internal components, including the CPU/motherboard, wireless, and external I/O are modular and can be replaced entirely.

“Consumer electronics can and should instead be made as durable goods like bicycles and automobiles are, with the expectation of long usage lifetimes and designed-in serviceability,” chief executive Nirav Patel originally wrote in the company’s manifesto, republished in January.

Framework Laptop 12: The budget laptop, redefined

Framework

In a launch event in San Francisco, Framework previewed what it called a “defining product” for the company: The Framework Laptop 12. The idea? To take an entry-level PC and make it something you’ll be proud of.

“We build products to fix what we see as a broken industry, and few categories are as emblematic of the problems with consumer electronics as entry-level laptops,” Patel wrote in a blog post. “They tend to be janky, locked-down, disposable, underpowered, and frankly, boring machines.”

You might think that the Framework Laptop 12 would be a reworking of the Framework Laptop Chromebook, a $999 upgradable laptop that debuted in 2022. Perhaps. While Patel indicated that Framework’s goal was to take all of the “upgradability and longevity” of the Laptop 13 and bring it to the Laptop 12, the goal was to make it much more colorful. Instead of the Chromebook’s brushed, monochromatic silver, the goal is to give it five distinct colorways plus an optional color-matched stylus. The chassis will be made out of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) over ABS plastic.

“In the event you ever do manage to break it, it’s also our easiest product ever to repair,” Framework says.

Inside the Laptop 12 is a 13th-gen Core (either a Core i3 or Core i5 variant), up to 48GB of DDR5-5200 RAM, and up to 2TB of NVMe storage, which is far more than what you’d find in a typical entry-level laptop. There’s also Wi-Fi 6e, all of which are modular. The touch-enabled display has a resolution of 1920×1200 and is capable of putting out more than 400 nits.

Framework isn’t sharing the price of the new Framework Laptop 12 yet. Instead, it will reveal this key detail closer to launch, which will begin in mid-2025. Instead, Framework will begin placing orders for the Framework Laptop 12 in April.

Presumably, you’ll be able to buy the pre-built configuration or the DIY Edition, which lowers the price by a small amount if you perform the assembly. You will still be able to choose between Windows and Linux, as well.

Framework’s Laptop 13 adds support for the Ryzen AI 300

Framework

Framework is also adding the Ryzen AI 300 series of processors to its Framework Laptop 13. Over the past few years, upgrading to the latest processor has meant a steady increase in performance, as our Ryzen AI 300 tests show. However, AMD’s chip family offers leading performance and dramatically improved battery life, too. Framework will offer the 6-core Ryzen AI 5 340, the 8-core Ryzen AI 7 350, and the high-end 12-core Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 as part of its lineup.

It’s Framework’s second Ryzen offering, after the company began offering Ryzen 7040 series motherboards two years ago. (Framework says that it is still keeping those in stock for a newly discounted price of $749.) Now, you can purchase Framework’s new Ryzen AI 300 Mainboard for $449 or the Framework Laptop (DIY Edition) itself for $899 or $1,099 for a prebuilt model.

“That means that any Framework Laptop 13 owner, going all the way back to the original 11th Gen Intel Core version in 2021, can pick up the new modules and upgrade the computer they already own to the latest technology,” Framework said in a blog post.

While the Framework Laptop 13 remains largely the same, the company has made some improvements. For one, the cooling has been improved, combining a single large 10mm heat pipe and Honeywell’s PTM7958 phase-change material. Though they keyboard still retains its excellent 1.5mm key travel, Framework revamped it to widen some of the larger keys and minimize a buzzing issue when the speakers are at full volume. A Copilot key has been added as well, though you can request a Copilot-less keyboard if you choose either of the officially supported Ubuntu and Fedora Linux options.

Finally, Framework’s added a translucent bezel option with purple, green, and black options. The company also made the expansion I/O modules translucent. The I/O modules all support USB4 and DisplayPort, allowing you to run four display cables from each of the modules.

Otherwise, Framework preserved much of the Laptop 13’s legacy. The display can be configured up to 2880×1920 at 120Hz, with a 13.5-inch, 3:2 matte display. Inside, there are two slots that can house DDR5-5600 memory up to 96GB plus a PCIe 4 M.2 2280 storage slot, upgradable to 8GB. The laptop even has Wi-Fi 7 thanks to AMD’s RZ717 module. The battery size remains consistent at 61Wh.