Framework Laptop review: The anti-MacBook has arrived

Our Finding of fact

The Theoretical account Laptop is versatile, well-fixed to carry, and superior, all piece providing owners uncomparable ease of access to advance and repair it.

For

Slim and portable
In height 3:2 screen looks great
Excellent keyboard
Unprecedented memory access to modify and repair

Against

Unimpressive speakers with sapless bass
Fan is loud and unpredictable

Tom's Lead Verdict

The Framework Laptop is versatile, unproblematic to convey, and superior, all while providing owners unparalleled ease of access to promote and bushel it.

Pros

+ Slim down and movable
+ Tall 3:2 projection screen looks great
+ Excellent keyboard
+ New accession to modify and repair

Cons

- Humble speakers with weak bass
- Fan is meretricious and undeterminable

Framework Laptop (Professional SKU) spectacles

Price: $1,399 as reviewed, $769 - $2,000+ based on config
Presentation: 13.5-inch 3:2 presentation (2,256 x 1,504 pixels)
CPU: Intel Core i7-1165G7
GPU: Intel Sword lily Xenon integrated graphics
RAM: 16 GB
Storage: 512 GB NVMe SSD
Ports: 3.5mm audio jack, 4x configurable Enlargement Cards
Size up: 11.67 x 9 x 0.62 inches
System of weights: 2.8 pounds

The Framework Laptop is one of the nearly exciting PCs to cross my desk in the past tense decade. This is the opposed-MacBook, the laptop that promises to Army of the Righteou you tailor-make, repair, and upgrade it to an unprecedented degree, all while left over affordable and ultraportable.

When Framework discovered the laptop in 2021, I was excited all but those promises but in question the company could deliver happening them without close to glaring sacrifices. Immediately that I've spent a few weeks reviewing same, I'm pleased to reputation that Framework appears to have stuck the landing.

The Fabric Laptop ($749 to start, $1,399 as reviewed) we reviewed is versatile, advantageously-successful, and unity of the outflank laptops you can buy — especially if you care around your right to repair and tinker with your devices.

Framework Laptop computer review: Price and configurations

Priced between $1,000 - $2,000
As cheap as $750 if you provide some components & assemble yourself

The Framework laptop is currently alone available for purchase from the Framework website, and the price tag starts at $999 — though you tin pay as low as $749 for the DIY Version if you'rhenium willing to assemble your laptop yourself and leave your own retentiveness, storage, in operation system, and Wi-Fi card.

The base configuration of the Model costs $999 pre-assembled and comes with an Intel Core i5-1135G7 Central processor, 8GB DDR4 RAM, and a 256GB NVMe SSD with Windows 10 Internal.

Framework Laptop review — (Image cite: Future)

The performance configuration, which has a opening price of $1,399, gets you two-bagger the memory and storage (16GB DDR4 and a 512GB NVMe SSD) plus a Core i7-1165G7 Mainframe and copy of Windows 10 Home.

The top off-of-the-line professional contour starts at $1,999, and for that you're getting an even more powerful Core i7-1185G7 CPU, 32GB DDR4 Drive in, a 1TB NVMe SSD, Wi-Fi 6 asset vPro for enterprise work, and a copy of Windows 10 In favour of.

Due to the current chip shortage, the ship's company has had difficulty getting consistent supplies of one component. So it offered pre-orders in batches, and is now marketing laptops in batches too: For each one batch has its own send off appointment listed when you order, and as of publication all configurations are shipping well-nig a month or 2 after you order them.

Framework Laptop limited review: Design

As sick and thin as a MacBook Air
Yet somehow still fully user-getatable
Each replaceable part labelled with a handy QR code

The Framework sports a slim, retiring aluminum chassis that blends right in with all the other laptops in the cafe. Mensuration in at 11.67 x 9 x 0.62 inches and upright 2.8 pounds, this DIY ultraportable is as thin and just a hairsbreadth lighter than Apple's MacBook Air with M1. That's an even more impressive feat when you think that the Framework team achieved that 0.62-inch thinness while still ensuring the better components of the laptop are modular and user-replaceable, sort o than soldered to the board the way they are in the MacBook Air.

While the sleek and subtle design of the Framework human body is easy on the eyes, the most exciting aspects are hidden away at bottom. To get in that respect, you undo five small screws connected the bottom of the laptop. They're common Torx T5 screws indeed you should have elflike trouble determination a screwdriver to fit them, and Framework also ships every laptop with a packed-in screwdriver/spudger that has a swappable T5/PH0 tur which fits all screw happening the Framing.

Loosen the case screws and it becomes possible to lift the go past of the keyboard knock down (Theoretical account calls it the Input Cover) forth from the motorcar, exposing the neatly ordered guts within. This is the heart of the Framework's promise: all the major components are clearly labeled and built to be swapped retired, from the battery to the high temperature settle to the mainboard. It's the all but easy coming to PC upgrades I've ever seen, as from each one swappable component is labelled with a QR code you can scan to get more information on the part and a run on how to replace it. Framework is planning to tie-in even more functionality to these QR codes in the future, including golf links to purchase upgrades or resell parts on a future Framework Marketplace.

As long as you'atomic number 75 careful, futzing around with the Framework's entrails is pretty idiot-proof. I know because I'm an idiot.

I regard all PC part makers would let in QR codes on their products, and I hope all laptop manufacturers will start treating their customers with the same deference Frame does. The accessibility of Framework's laptop is such a brisk switch of pace from the way other laptop manufacturers bash business: even if you never feel for the urge to fiddle with your laptop's innards, just knowing that the Framework is designed to let you upgrade and mending information technology offers meaningful peace of mind of mind.

And as long as you're troubled, futzing round with the Theoretical account's viscera is pretty idiot-cogent evidence. I know because I'm an idiot, and even though it took Maine longer than I'd like to realize simple truths (including that the case screws are captive and not meant to start and so stop tugging on them, you motley fool) I managed not to unwrap anything. The only genuine peril is damaging the ribbon transmission line which connects the touchpad to the motherboard, but that can be unplugged with relative ease.

The display is also replaceable, and the bezel or so it pops right off so you can rapidly swap it out for other color options. Our review whole arrived with only a black bezel, but the company has shown off a red variant and has plans to offer more for sale through the Framework Marketplace in the forthcoming.

Framing Laptop review: Display

The 13.5-column inch display itself is sharp and functional, with a tall 3:2 display ratio that accommodates a 2,256 x 1,504 resolution. 3:2 displays on laptops have become more common in recent years, and I'm totally for it — the extra semi-upright space helps you check many of a document operating theatre site at once, and that means less scrolling during sidereal day-to-day tasks.

It works well for entertainment too, as I discovered while watching my way through Amazon's The Tomorrow War and Making the Cut season two during this review. The Framework's showing has Nice wide viewing angles, and it makes colours look on crisp and spirited, ensuring Tim Gunn's salmon-shaded tie clearly stood out against his cerulean shirt.

In our testing, the Framework's display achieved 112.5% of the sRGB spectrum, which way it's plenty creamy-colored and close to the 100% sRGB ideal you might want if you're going to personify doing serious exposure editing. And the screen gets beautiful bright, achieving an average out smartness of 418 nits and a peak brightness of 440 nits in our tests. That's dimmer than the not-OLED Dell XPS 13 (469 nits) merely brighter than competition like the M1-equipped MacBook Air (365 nits). This is important because dim laptop screens tend to look terrible in glaring light, but in my experience the Framework gets plenty bright enough for comfortable use out of doors — though you'll still beryllium staring at your reflection quite a bit in unvarnished sunlight.

Frame Laptop recapitulation: Ports

1 earphone jack + 4 user-configurable ports
Choose-your-own port system offers unparalleled laptop customization

The port options on the Framework are wonderful because to a certain extent, they're completely skyward to you. There's entirely one port on the Framework you can't variety: The 3.5mm audio jack built into the left side of the laptop.

The rest of the laptop's ports are user-configurable thanks to the Framework's incomparable expanding upon card system. The bottom of the laptop computer sports four slots, each of which accepts a Framework Expansion Card that slides in with a click and connects to the laptop computer via USB-C. Swapping them out is as simple atomic number 3 belongings the security catch which secures the cards and sliding one out, then slippy some other one in. You can even hotswap ports while the laptop is functional; Windows just reads it as swapping cardinal USB gimmick for another.

During the recapitulation I found this incredibly useful. For starters, you can put a USB-C porthole on either (or both) sides of the laptop to make plugging in the charger more convenient. Demand to pull images off your DSLR? Trade in a microSD card reader for a few minutes, then swap IT out for something much useful when you'atomic number 75 done.

Currently, Expansion Cards come in two flavors: storage (250 GB or 1 TB for each one) and ports (USB-A, USB-C, MicroSD, DisplayPort, and HDMI). The Framework ships with 4 USB-C cards by default, but you potty mix and match to your heart's want. Just be cognizant they have different costs: the MicroSD card proofreader, DisplayPort, and HDMI card game are each $10 more than the USB cards, patc the storage cards are currently $69 for 250 Great Britain and $149 for 1 TB.

Frame says it has plans to release a broader variety of Expansion Cards (like read, headphone amps) in the future, as well as the goal of releasing the reference designs and specs for spouse companies and the community to use in design their own card game.

Framework Laptop review: Performance

Powerful enough for work
Not great for cutting-edge games

The Framework configuration we tested performed well under pressure, handling the gauntlet that is my unformed process process (30+ open tabs in Chrome with ternary audio and TV streams running simultaneously) without any noticeable stutter or heat issues. However, the laptop's cooling system fans now and then kicked in during day-to-day use, and they're awfully loud.

When we put the Framework to the examine using the GeekBench 5.4 multicore CPU benchmarking tool, the modular laptop with its Intel Core i7-1165G7 CPU earned a worthy score of 4,423. That's good enough for most day-to-day work, but it pales in comparison to scores earned past the Nitty-gritty i7-equipped Dingle XPS 13 (5,524) or the AMD Ryzen 7-equipped Asus ZenBook 13 OLED (6,411).

To become a sentiency of how quickly the Framework's SSD can move information around we likewise tasked it with copying thousands of multimedia system files — 25 Britain in total — and measured how fast it completed the undertaking. The Framework achieved a peak transfer speed of 787.32 MBps, a peachy make that tops those earned away the Dingle XPS 13 (742 MBps) and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 (562 MBps) in the identical test. However, IT's non quite as speedy as the Asus Zenbook 13 OLED (873 MBps) or the Samsung Galaxy Book Pro 360 (869 MBps).

The Model likely North Korean won't personify your ideal choice for redaction television, merely it can handle the work in a swipe. When we asked the Framework to transcode a 4K TV inoperative to 1080p via Handbrake, it completed the task in an average of 13 transactions and 9 seconds. That's pretty superb, and IT's faster than the Dingle XPS 13 (18:12), the 13-inch Surface Laptop 4 (17:01) or the Samsung Galaxy Book In favor 360 (16:24). However, it's still a few minutes slower than the AMD-powered Asus Zenbook 13 OLED (8:22).

While the Framework's lack of a discrete GPU makes IT a poor choice for performin graphically tight games, the Core i7 CPU gives it sufficiency sinew to meet older and less demanding games well. I had a lot of fun noodling around in games like Crusader Kings Troika and Othercide happening the Framework, but father't require to run Cyber-terrorist 2077 on this affair.

Framework Laptop review: Audio frequency

Speakers can get tacky
Freshwater bass sounds muted

The speakers connected the Framework can get loud enough to stimulate rattling problems with your neighbors, as I discovered first-hand during examination. They should be pile forte plenty for your inevitably, and the quality of sound they exclude is pretty effective.

The bass is pretty muted compared to some other laptops (I'm reasoning specifically of the Microsoft Come out Laptop 4), but vocals like those on Bill Withers' "Lovely Day" sound clear and warm.

Framework Laptop recapitulation: Keyboard and touchpad

Keyboard feels swell to typecast happening
Fingerprint reader in the power button is a nice touch

I've typed connected a good issue of laptop computer keyboards this twelvemonth, and the Framework is easily my loved. My big hands rest comfortably on the deck, each key is large adequate — and more than significantly, has enough space around it — that I rarely hit another key by mistake, and the 1.5mm of of import travel is enough to make every key press feel satisfying and distinct. The fingerprint reader stacked into the mightiness clit is besides a nice touch.

The touchpad beneath the keyboard is also easy to reach and comfortable to use. In my experience, the best touchpads are the ones you preceptor't have much to state about, because they just ferment. The Framework has just such a touchpad, and in my undergo it's reliable and works well. I had no issues using IT throughout my work day, whether I was victimization Windows gesture controls to barter between apps or tapping and swiping done some after-hours web browsing.

Theoretical account Laptop computer review: Webcam

1080p webcam delivers good image quality
Separate switches for physically incapacitating webcam/mike

The 1080p webcam built into the clear lip of the Framework's display is a welcome change from the grainy 720p cameras so many modern laptops still sport. It captures vibrant images, and during Zoom calls the video upper-class is clear and graceful. There's no Inland Revenue television camera for seventh cranial nerve authentication via Windows Howdy, but you can use of goods and services the fingerprint reader on the keyboard for biometric authentication.

The physical privacy shutter built into the camera is a courteous cutaneous senses. The webcam is flanked by a pair of small shaping switches: the ane on the left cuts power to the microphone, the one on the rightish cuts power to the camera. Information technology's a level of respect for drug user privacy that I wish all laptop manufacturers would reveal their customers, even if I think most of us will never have cause to care.

Framework Laptop refresh: Heat

Laptop gets enthusiastic but not hot
Loud fan sometimes kicks happening during unit of time use

The Framework can get warm sufficiency to keep your lap toasty, but in the course of testing IT never became uncomfortable, even when playing games. When we used our infrared heat gun to take the laptop's temperature later on it spent 15 transactions low heavy load, we recovered the hottest point (topping outgoing at 98.4 degrees) is on the center of the undersurface, near the hinge.

However, I did notice some serious fan noise coming out of the laptop. Non always during heavy use, either; contrarily, a a few times I was standing across the way doing something other wholly when suddenly I'd hear the Framework's fans kick in on. I harbor't been able to isolate why this occasionally happened with our review unit, and IT doesn't impact performance operating room expend in any elbow room, but it is amazingly loud.

Framework Laptop review: Battery life

10+ hours of battery life sentence
Battery charges quickly

The Framework's battery doesn't break whatsoever records, but it's moral enough to get you through a day of work without needing to pack a courser. In our assault and battery test, which sets the laptop's sieve cleverness to 150 nits and tasks it with endlessly browsing the web via Wi-Fi, the Framework lasted 10 hours and 17 minutes. That's meliorate than the Dell XPS 13 (7:59), though non nearly equally long as the Samsung Galaxy Book Pro 360 (13:33) or the Asus Zenbook 13 OLED (15:00). And of course, it still can't make out uncommunicative to twin the MacBook Professional with M1's significant 16-hr battery life.

Still, 10+ hours connected a single charge is nothing to sneezing at. The Framework charges quickly, too; I obstructed it in at 5% mogul, and about an hour later the battery was up to 74% power.

Framework Laptop review: Verdict

There's a lot to love about Framework's inaugural laptop. Working on it is downright comfortable thanks to the nice tall screen and spacious, satisfying keyboard. It's thin and fatless sufficiency to throw in a bag for all-day carry, and the 10-hour battery life should let you get by with not boxing a charger. Plus, the swappable card system lets you reconfigure it on the fly with any ports you'll need for the day.

But the serious merchandising stage is how terrifically accessible and repairable the Framework Laptop computer is, and the value of that will vary greatly depending happening how drunk you are to crack one open. For those of U.S. who prize having easy access to our devices, the Framework is the trump example yet that laptops can be powerful, take-away, user-accessible, and noneffervescent sold for a competitive price. It's a real accomplishment, one I'd like to see strange laptop manufacturers copy.

Just if you'd rather non vexation about swapping out pieces of your laptop, at that place are other devices on the market which deliver bettor performance than the Theoretical account for less. The Asus Zenbook 13 Organic light-emitting diode, for example, is an excellent ultraportable that tops out at around $1k and offers a beautiful OLED screen, great performance, and fantastic shelling spirit.

And naturally, a big part of the Framework Laptop's value is laced up in how well the company supports the community post-launch. Fabric has admirable plans to continue releasing red-hot expansion cards and components, as well as citation designs and specs so both cooperator companies and the community at mammoth nates build their personal accessories and sell them on the Framework Marketplace.

If that all pans out, owning a Framework Laptop could grant you access to a community of fans and vendors for years to come. But if Framework can't follow through connected its promises, Framework owners might end up on their own.

More: The Framework Laptop computer is the future of laptops — and that's why I'm purchasing one

Alex Wawro is a lifelong tech and games partisan with more than a decade of experience covering both for outlets look-alike Crippled Developer, Black Hat, and PC World magazine. He currently serves as a senior editor in chief at Tom's Pass over covering all things computing, from laptops and desktops to keyboards and mice.