Knowledgeable’s Ranking
Professionals
- Nice matte show
- Strong-feeling design
- Repairable and upgradable with ease
- Highly effective Intel chips throughout the road
- Good keyboard
- Electrical disconnects for mics and digital camera
Cons
- Weak battery life
- Growth modules drive value up for some ports
- Loud fan kicks on below average load
Our Verdict
Come for the repairable, upgradeable design and swappable ports. Keep for the good display screen and highly effective processor.
It’s 2023 and issues are just a little dystopian within the laptop computer area. Customers, extra involved with flashy design and light-weight weight than performance, are flocking to gadgets 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 need to use for years to return. If some rivals might be thought-about quick trend, Framework is aiming to be the antidote – not the most cost effective, 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 altered 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 except for its advertising and marketing bullet factors, is it a great laptop computer? Let’s discover out.
Design & construct
From images, the Framework Laptop computer 13 seems generic. It’d win a minimum of 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 form 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 form 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 remainder 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 appropriate Intel Framework 13 motherboards, and is throwing an AMD Ryzen-based motherboard into the combo later this yr. Based mostly on this degree of help, 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 just a little generic-looking to you, you’ll be able to a minimum of add a number of customized components into the combo. Framework themselves supply up substitute 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 complete pc makes use of a mix of latest and pre- or post-consumer supplies, which is sweet to see.
Connectivity
Greater than with some 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 providing 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 illustration, a USB port is performing flaky, the module slides neatly out of the machine and may be swapped in seconds.
IDG / Brendan Nystedt
However realistically, this design nonetheless leaves you with solely three port decisions, since one in every of which can all the time 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 further charges for the likes of HDMI, microSD (the place’s the full-size SD choice?), 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 may be configured with the AX210 with vPro if your organization wants that form of administration. Each playing cards include Bluetooth 5.3 commonplace. The antennas inside gave me constant, dependable connection each in my condominium and in a few native cafes, one in every of which often has WiFi that’s flaky when a whole lot of customers soar on the community.
Keyboard & trackpad
If you should 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 structure 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 is no such thing as 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 on.) relatively than F1-F12.
IDG / Brendan Nystedt
The trackpad is large, clean, and usually good to make use of. As with another fashionable PC laptops, I discover that often the palm rejection goes haywire, skipping my cursor round whereas I place my fingers over the keyboard to start out typing.
Once you go to click on, you’ll really feel a tactile button as an alternative of a haptic linear motor, which may 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 let you know that you need to get excited for the vivid, contrasty, vibrant 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 troublesome time seeing pixels, and I discovered that I had loads of room at 150% scaling in Home windows 11 to see a whole lot of content material at a time.
The one time when this tall display screen falls flat is once you pull up a widescreen streaming present or YouTube video, since large black bars will present up on the highest and backside. In case you’re working so much on the go, there nonetheless isn’t any substitute 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. When you gained’t get thumping bass from these two small down-firing drivers, they get good and loud, whereas conserving 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
In case 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 just a little shutter or a deactivation button on the keyboard, however by together with a bodily swap that disconnects the digital camera and microphones impartial of the working system.
The digital camera itself is a 1080p unit that’s nothing to put in writing residence about (I discovered it to supply a gentle 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 checks, 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 provides us a sensible 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 net searching, video chats, and in workplace purposes.
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 crew up for intensive rendering duties. In our checks, the Framework Laptop computer 13 carried out solely about in addition to Twelfth-gen Intel P-class components, however it’s an admirable consequence nonetheless.
IDG / Brendan Nystedt
3D duties, not simply video games, are an essential a part of fashionable 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 just a little over 22 and a half minutes, virtually conserving tempo with the in any other case extra performant AMD Ryzen-based HP Dragonfly Professional.
Battery life
IDG / Brendan Nystedt
The most important downside of an Intel P-class chip in a laptop computer such because the Framework Laptop computer 13 is successful to battery life. We measured solely just a little 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 preserve an in depth 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, searching 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 degree of documentation and sensible design is normally reserved for enterprise-grade notebooks within the ThinkPad, Latitude, or EliteBook collection from the large producers, so it’s refreshing to see Framework make repairability a mainstream function in a laptop computer that’s mainstream-friendly.
Framework provides people the facility 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 achieved by anybody with the (included) screwdriver.
If the atmosphere and sustainability are high of thoughts for you, shopping for a previous-gen or refurbished mannequin from Framework’s retailer is probably going a greener strategy to seize one in every of these gadgets. And I might have most well-liked to see a design that by default has greater than 4 of a single form of port – the Growth Playing cards really feel extra like a gimmick proper now, and drive you to spend extra money 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 could be very good, and a pc that truly 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 costlier 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)
- Value as reviewed: $1,469/£1,469
This text was initially printed on PCWorld.