Framework Laptop 13 Review: Tear Down and Repair

Worth When Reviewed

From $1,049 | Mannequin reviewed $1,469

Finest Costs At this time: Framework Laptop computer 13

It’s 2023 and issues are a little bit dystopian within the laptop computer house. Customers, extra involved with flashy design and lightweight weight than performance, are flocking to units that may’t be repaired or upgraded.

That’s what makes the Framework Laptop computer 13 one thing distinctive. It’s from a small startup that desires you to have a dependable, long-lasting gadget that you should use for years to return. If some rivals could possibly be thought of quick vogue, Framework is aiming to be the antidote – 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 components in minutes, as an alternative of requiring new chips should be soldered onto the motherboard.

All of this sounds good on paper, however other than its advertising and marketing bullet factors, is it an excellent laptop computer? Let’s discover out. 

Design & construct

From photographs, the Framework Laptop computer 13 seems generic. It’d win not 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 sort of optical phantasm–you’ll be able to see however it’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 seems just like the renders, however fortunately what’s sort of a meh design is backed up by strong engineering.

Part of the Framework Laptop computer’s design is its aforementioned repairability. This machine has been designed to be opened shortly, with solely 5 screws holding the keyboard down, and magnets serving to the remaining stick collectively.

That would have been a recipe for flimsiness, however not within the case of the Framework Laptop computer 13. Not solely is that this comparatively skinny gadget simple to pop open, however it additionally feels prefer it may survive lengthy sufficient to get repairs and upgrades down the highway.

At this level, Framework has made three generations of suitable Intel Framework 13 motherboards, and is throwing an AMD Ryzen-based motherboard into the combination later this yr. Based mostly on this stage of assist, we’re hopeful that you’ve an opportunity at upgrading this Framework 13 with a extra performant motherboard within the years to return.

IDG / Brendan Nystedt

And if the design is a little bit generic-looking to you, you’ll be able to not less than add a couple of customized components into the combination. Framework themselves supply up alternative show bezels in clear, and some colors 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 recent and pre- or post-consumer supplies, which is sweet to see. 

Connectivity

Greater than with every other laptops, you’ll have to plan forward when deciding on a Framework system. You see, these computer systems don’t have bodily ports by default, as an alternative supplying you with 4 small bays that may match a variety of various “Growth Playing cards”.

On paper, this setup is extra versatile than different competing laptops, letting you determine what ports you’ll want when. It may additionally make a restore simpler, if, as an example, a USB port is appearing flaky, the module slides neatly out of the machine and might be swapped in seconds.

IDG / Brendan Nystedt

However realistically, this design nonetheless leaves you with solely three port selections, since one in all which is able to at all times should be a USB-C module for charging (there’s no DC-in barrel jack on the Framework Laptop computer 13, regardless that there’s a 3.5mm audio jack).

Moreover, some ports price extra so as to add to your laptop computer at buy, with additional charges for the likes of HDMI, microSD (the place’s the full-size SD possibility?), DisplayPort and ethernet. Some competing programs supply a much better vary of ports – together with Apple’s 14- and 16-inch MacBook Professionals. Modularity has some advantages right here, however the trade-offs are actual, too.

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

Keyboard & trackpad

If it is advisable to sort lengthy papers or code for days at a time, the Framework Laptop computer 13 has a keyboard that may sustain with you. Because of its comfy key throw, satisfying actuation, and pillowy keycaps, I used to be up and typing on the Framework Laptop computer 13 very quickly in any respect.

The format is pretty regular, however has a ahead slash and an enter key which might be proper subsequent to one another, in all probability to accommodate worldwide keyboard layouts in the identical chassis, usually 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 operate lock is enabled, however the default behaviour is to have the operate keys act as their labelled shortcut (quantity, display screen brightness, multimedia and so forth.) fairly than F1-F12.

IDG / Brendan Nystedt

The trackpad is massive, clean, and usually good to make use of. As with another trendy PC laptops, I discover that often the palm rejection goes haywire, skipping my cursor round whereas I place my arms over the keyboard to begin typing.

Once you go to click on, you’ll really feel a tactile button as an alternative of a haptic linear motor, which might allow you to click on extra constantly throughout the floor, as an alternative of alongside the underside half. 

Show, audio system & webcam

On paper, the Framework Laptop computer 13’s new matte display screen doesn’t appear that thrilling. In any case, competing laptops have increased 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 it is best to get excited for the vivid, contrasty, vivid 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 Home windows 11 to see lots of content material at a time.

The one time when this tall display screen falls flat is if you pull up a widescreen streaming present or YouTube video, since massive black bars will present up on the highest and backside. Should you’re working rather a lot on the go, there nonetheless isn’t any alternative for a glare-cutting matte display screen.

IDG / Brendan Nystedt

Framework made some noise (get it?) in regards to the 2023 Laptop computer 13’s improved audio system, and I’ve to say that they’re higher than I anticipated. Whilst you gained’t get thumping bass from these two small down-firing drivers, they get good and loud, whereas preserving midrange sounds clear and straightforward to listen to.

I discovered that the Framework Laptop computer 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 programs in competing computer systems.

IDG / Brendan Nystedt

Should 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 computer 13. This pc goes additional than others, not simply placing a little bit shutter or a deactivation button on the keyboard, however by together with a bodily swap that disconnects the digital camera and microphones unbiased of the working system.

The digital camera itself is a 1080p unit that’s nothing to write down house about (I discovered it to supply 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.

Efficiency

The Framework Laptop computer 13 justifies its increased value 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 exams, it carried out very nicely, 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 computer 13 will certainly carry out nicely in on a regular basis duties like internet shopping, video chats, and in workplace functions.

IDG / Brendan Nystedt

On this efficiency check, we use Cinebench R15 to get a way for a way nicely all a laptop computer’s many processor cores group up for intensive rendering duties. In our exams, the Framework Laptop computer 13 carried out solely about in addition to Twelfth-gen Intel P-class components, however it’s an admirable end result nonetheless.

IDG / Brendan Nystedt

3D duties, not simply video games, are an essential a part of trendy PC life, which is why each laptop computer we evaluation will get examined with 3DMark’s Time Spy benchmark. On this check, the Framework Laptop computer 13 did decently for a machine with Intel’s built-in Xe Graphics, however it was embarrassed by the GPU cores included with the AMD Ryzen-based HP Dragonfly.

IDG / Brendan Nystedt

We check each laptop computer by re-encoding a high-res video file right into a file meant for a small-screened pill. Because of its highly effective cores, the Framework Laptop computer 13 turned in nice outcomes on this check, crunching by means of the video file in a little bit over 22 and a half minutes, nearly preserving tempo with the in any other case extra performant AMD Ryzen-based HP Dragonfly Professional.

Battery life

IDG / Brendan Nystedt

The largest disadvantage of an Intel P-class chip in a laptop computer such because the Framework Laptop computer 13 is a success to battery life. We measured solely a little bit previous six and a half hours in our looping video check, which is unquestionably behind laptops primarily based 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 hold a detailed eye on the battery gauge all through the day. In our expertise, we noticed a drop of 18% per hour below mild utilization, with a handful of apps open, shopping the online and working YouTube within the background.

Verdict

Whereas its sustainable advertising and marketing and repairable design are actually noteworthy, the Framework Laptop computer 13 is itself a strong laptop computer. This stage of documentation and good design is often reserved for enterprise-grade notebooks within the ThinkPad, Latitude, or EliteBook sequence from the massive producers, so it’s refreshing to see Framework make repairability a mainstream function in a laptop computer that’s mainstream-friendly.

Framework offers people the ability to restore or improve, and even throw a still-working motherboard right into a case to be used on a desktop. All of this isn’t simply begrudgingly accessible to {hardware} hackers, however simply carried out by anybody with the (included) screwdriver.

If the surroundings 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 technique to seize one in all these units. And I might have most well-liked to see a design that by default has greater than 4 of a single sort of port – the Growth Playing 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 value.

All my gripes apart, with its quicker chips and nice new matte show, the Intel thirteenth gen-based Framework Laptop computer 13 may be very good, and a pc that really has an opportunity at serving you for years to return with repairs and upgrades.

Specs

Listed below are the specs of the mannequin reviewed. Cheaper and dearer configurations can be found:

• CPU: Intel Core i7-1360P (12 cores, 16 threads, 4 efficiency cores, 8 effectivity cores)
• Reminiscence: 16 GB LPDDR5 (2x 8 GB SODIMMs, consumer upgradeable)
• Graphics/GPU: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
• Show: 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 digital camera with {hardware} killswitch
• Connectivity:  4x Thunderbolt 4 with different ports selectable with Growth Playing 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: 2.86lb (1.3kg)
• Worth as reviewed: $1,469/£1,469

This text was initially printed on PCWorld.