Framework Laptop computer 13 overview: a DIY dream come true

Framework has launched a 2023 model of its 13-inch modular laptop computer. And people, it’s precisely the identical because the 2022 mannequin.

Okay, so, I imply, that’s not fairly true. There’s an AMD option now, however I don’t but have that one to overview. I’ve been testing the pre-built Intel mannequin, which features a thirteenth Gen Core i7-1360P. The battery can also be bigger, coming in at 61Wh. There are a pair different small issues concerning the chassis. There’s a brand new matte show possibility and a brand new speaker system. However I’m going to let you know proper now that utilizing the 2023 Framework Laptop computer 13 feels precisely like utilizing the 2022 Framework Laptop. The experiences are principally similar.

And that’s principally good. Final 12 months’s laptop computer was advantageous. It wasn’t my favourite factor on this planet, with a bit extra of a flimsy and plasticky construct, to not point out a plain look, than you usually see at this value level, nevertheless it was advantageous. Framework has at all times struck me as an organization that’s extremely plugged in to what its prospects need, and issues like ease of restore and upgradability are seemingly extra essential to them than a premium construct.

Nonetheless, a number of the perks that final 12 months’s chassis introduced stay. The brilliant, 2256 x 1504, 3:2 show is a novel discover. The audio system are glorious. The laptop computer is sort of transportable, weighing just below three kilos. However most significantly (to me, a minimum of) is that Framework fastened the most important criticism I had about its laptop computer final 12 months. The battery life was dangerous. And reader, now it’s good.

My favourite side of the Framework laptop computer has at all times been the port choice. Particularly, you choose the ports for your self, slotting 4 enlargement playing cards of your selection into the deck. What enjoyable! I went for a USB-C and a USB-A on either side as a result of I’m boring like that, however Framework has “re-optimized” the HDMI and DisplayPort enlargement playing cards for the 2023 mannequin with a view to allow the machine to remain in decrease energy states, so you’ll be able to choose these if you happen to’re feeling adventurous. (MicroSD, audio, ethernet, and storage enlargement are additionally out there.)

I can also’t heap sufficient reward onto this 13.5-inch, 3:2 show. The additional vertical house feels roomy for multitasking, and I admire how a lot textual content I can see at one time whereas I’m writing a protracted draft (like this one). I additionally choose the brand new matte display because it kicks again much less glare than final 12 months’s shiny one did — however the good factor concerning the Framework is you can decide the one you need. Bezels may be custom-made in a variety of colours — black, white, and orange at the moment, with inexperienced, purple, crimson, and translucent on the way in which. Look, I’m not a DIY particular person. However give me a purple bezel, and I’ll haven’t any selection however to purchase this.

The touchpad continues to be easy with a straightforward click on. I’ll word that it’s the one a part of the chassis that basically will get smudged; after per week or so of use, it had a really seen blob within the center. The keyboard, which is properly backlit with satisfying journey and click on, had a neater time staying clear. I do nonetheless want that you would customise the touchpad, equally to how one can customise the keycaps, however Framework does a minimum of promote cables and kits for it, so you’ll be able to substitute it if it ever breaks (or simply will get too gross).

The brand new audio system are an enchancment. The place they delivered considerably skinny audio final 12 months, this 12 months’s mannequin sounds a lot fuller, simply filling a big room at maxed quantity. My measurement didn’t fairly hit a median of 80 decibels (which was what Framework claimed we’d see), however the audio system got here fairly shut. Consumers ought to word that the brand new audio system seem like particular to the Intel mannequin of the Framework 13; AMD programs will proceed to have the unique package, and Framework says it’s “tuning the audio circuitry.”

The remainder of the video name expertise stays completely acceptable. The 1080p, 60Hz webcam continues to supply a considerably grainy however typically advantageous image. No points with the twin microphones, both. Each the digital camera and the microphones have a {hardware} privateness change within the prime bezel, which is helpful — although I’ll nitpick that they’re an similar shade of black to the bezel round them, which might make them annoyingly laborious to distinguish. I actually shined my telephone’s flashlight on them a pair occasions as a result of I didn’t fancy feeling round.

Inside, the Framework’s efficiency is robust. You possibly can configure the machine with principally no matter mixture of specs you need, in fact, however I acquired the Efficiency prebuilt unit, which is priced at $1,469 and features a Core i7-1360P, 16GB of reminiscence, 512GB of storage, and the 61Wh battery. That’s on the expensive facet — the Dell XPS 13 has the identical specs with a barely much less highly effective Core i7 going for simply $1,099 as of this writing — however it can save you a bit of cash when you’ve got some components mendacity round and may swap them right into a DIY package your self.

Personally, if I had been purchasing for this, I’d most likely go for the Core i5-1340P / 8GB / 256GB Base mannequin — besides that it has a considerably smaller battery, and you can not improve that battery with out upgrading the processor to a Core i7, even if you happen to go for a DIY package. (There are apparently sophisticated meeting line causes for this; it’s been a whole thing.)

The 1360P I’m testing is greater than sufficient for my Chrome-based workload, and I by no means acquired any warmth or fan noise whereas I labored in my dozens of Chrome tabs and another apps, usually with Spotify streaming overtop. Actually, nothing I did made the followers spin up, even on Battery Saver mode. It’s a a lot quieter expertise than the Dell XPS 13, that’s for certain. Even some gentle picture work in Lightroom was pleasantly speedy.

In benchmark testing, the Framework solidly defeated our XPS 13 in single-core, multicore, and graphic benchmarks. It additionally outperformed each the M2 MacBook Air and the M2 MacBook Professional on CPU assessments, however not on graphics — Apple stays on prime for GPU-intensive duties. We’re seeing round a 20 to 30 p.c improve in efficiency over the Framework unit I examined final 12 months.

The Framework did get scorching throughout these benchmark assessments, nevertheless, with the CPU making frequent jumps as much as 100 levels Celsius. The keyboard acquired toasty. After all, my private workload clearly wasn’t giving the Core i7 something near that form of exercise, and even work in Premiere and Lightroom was pleasantly quick.

After which we come to the happiest shock this Framework laptop computer introduced. Okay, so it shouldn’t even have been a shock. Framework, as I discussed, geared up the Efficiency system with a 61Wh battery, whereas 55Wh was out there in final 12 months’s mannequin. (The latter can also be what comes with the Base mannequin, as famous above — it’s honest to imagine that one can have a shorter lifespan than this Efficiency configuration.) It additionally claimed that we’d see a “20 to 30 p.c battery life enchancment throughout a variety of real-world use instances.” Nonetheless, you by no means know with these claims, and I’ve actually been burned earlier than. So I’m thrilled to report that I averaged 9 hours and 12 minutes of steady use from this machine. That’s one of many longest lifespans I’ve seen from an Intel laptop computer in… I don’t even know the way lengthy. Some time. It’s nice.

I had principally two considerations concerning the Framework Laptop computer I reviewed final 12 months. Its repairability was each enticing and admirable, however the quick battery life and skinny audio simply made it a tough promote for its value. I assume Framework’s market analysis should’ve uncovered related complaints as a result of they fastened each issues large time. That principally leaves the generic, plasticky feel and appear as the one actual knocks on this machine — and people, in fact, gained’t be issues for everybody.

These modifications make the Framework seem like a way more enticing buy subsequent to one thing just like the XPS 13 than it was final 12 months. That XPS is gorgeous and durable in methods the Framework is just not. However the Framework has a whole lot of different benefits over it now, upgradability apart: It has a greater display, a greater port choice, higher audio, a a lot quieter and cooler chassis, and higher battery life. After all, the Framework can also be deal dearer, which I suppose is a good reminder that even in a world the place each firm underneath the solar is pushing sustainability as a core factor of their devices, true user-repairability nonetheless has a value.

Images by Monica Chin

Replace Might seventeenth, 2:23PM ET: Added benchmark scores. This text was initially printed on Might sixteenth at 11:00 AM ET.