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ZDNET Highlights
- Framework’s new laptop 13 Pro is a new product with a redesigned chassis.
- It has premium elements like a haptic touchpad, a better battery and it comes pre-loaded with Ubuntu.
- It’s fully modular and backward-compatible, starting at $1,199 for the DIY version.
frameworkThe makers of modular, repairable laptops have just announced a brand new product: the framework laptop 13 proA thin and light modular laptop with a redesigned chassis, Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processors, significantly improved battery life, and premium touches like a haptic touchpad.
Dubbed the “MacBook Pro for Linux users” by Framework CEO Nirav Patel, the Laptop 13 Pro comes pre-loaded with Windows or Ubuntu and differs from the DIY aesthetics of Framework’s other laptops with a sleek, extruded aluminum build.
Also: Very few people are talking about this Windows laptop beast I assembled in a matter of minutes
I got my first glimpse of the Laptop 13 Pro on a video call with Patel, who explained that this laptop is the result of six years of user feedback. He said, “13 is the ultimate developer machine.” “This gives you the battery life and performance you need for power users, while still being repairable and upgradeable.”
And that it’s pushing a smoother, more design-forward build, but making no concessions to the framework’s existing mission. Its price has been fixed according to which it starts from $1,199 For the DIY version, $1,499 for pre-built with Ubuntu, or $1,699 for pre-built with Windows. If you already have a Framework Laptop 13, it’s only $449 for a new mainboard.
Modularity meets battery efficiency
Patel says the biggest leap forward is the 13 Pro’s battery life. I tested Framework’s 12-inch and 16-inch laptops last year and noted average longevity on the 16-inch model. The 13 Pro is set to change all that, with a 74Wh battery and Intel’s Panther Lake chips, delivering over 20 hours of video playback in our testing – that’s longer than the 14-inch MacBook Pro M5.
The Laptop 13 Pro with Panther Lake has three configurations: Core Ultra 5, X7 and Of course, you don’t have to commit to an Intel SoC with the AMD Ryzen AI 300 series option.
Also: Lenovo showed me its modular ThinkBook laptop, and I wish it wasn’t just a concept
Another big contributor to battery efficiency is RAM. The Laptop 13 Pro uses the LPCAM2 (Low-Power Compression Attached Memory Module 2) format, which enables higher memory bandwidth (module speeds up to 7467 MT/s) in a power-efficient package while maintaining an upgradeable format.
The laptop will come in 16GB, 32GB or 64GB configurations, and importantly, it’s upgradeable – a big deal as RAM prices keep rising.
Better display, but still no OLED
Patel said Framework developed the display completely from scratch, optimizing it for programming and productivity. It is a 13.5-inch touchscreen LCD display with 2880 x 1920 (3K) resolution, 700 nits brightness, and 30-120Hz variable refresh rate.
However, there is still no OLED option, and this is due to both price and battery life. “We set out from the beginning to create the best looking LCD we could make that is also extremely energy efficient,” he said. Considering the $1,699 price pre-built with Windows, this will definitely put it closer to $2,000.
Also: How this DIY Windows laptop stole my heart from more expensive models (and it works with Linux)
The modular nature of the Framework’s components means that parts can be swapped out between devices, essentially allowing the Laptop 13 Pro’s display to slot into a previous model’s, or vice versa.
the more subtle touch
The Framework’s laptops weren’t exactly known for being thin and light — the Laptop 16 is about five pounds — but the Laptop 13 Pro weighs three pounds and is 0.6 inches thick. Its aluminum graphite chassis is new and distinctly MacBook-esque, especially the keyboard and an optional haptic trackpad, which is a first for the framework.
“Windows laptops have historically lagged Macs in this area,” Patel said, citing a renewed focus on mechanical firmware for a more premium experience. Adaptability is where the framework differs; However, there are gray and orange colors available for the keys, as well as a fingerprint reader with Linux support out of the box that breaks up the corporate black and silver with its signature DIY aesthetic.
Also: My Ideal MacBook Pro Replacement Is This Powerful Windows Laptop That I’ve Never Seen Before
The build also supports other cosmetic customizations, including bezel plating around the edges in bold color options like orange or translucent. Like older versions, the Laptop 13 Pro will also come with four Thunderbolt 4 interface ports, connected via an expansion card system that allows you to hand-choose each port and its placement (and color).
Despite the design changes, all of these elements are compatible with the existing Laptop 13 product. Both the 13 Pro’s mainboard and display can be inserted directly into an existing system, but the bottom cover is slightly larger due to the better battery.
It comes with a new chassis upgrade kit that includes a haptic touchpad, committed to per-component modularity that allows users to replace and upgrade components piece by piece. Even better: “Every part can be replaced with a screwdriver,” Patel said.
Other announcements
In addition to the Laptop 13 Pro, Framework also announced an upgrade to its Laptop 16, which now features an optional haptic touchpad, new bezel colors, and an AMD Ryzen 5 3400U processor at a more accessible starting price — a criticism I had with the existing Laptop 16, which started at $1,500.
Also: I Found Apps Slowing Down My PC – How to Eliminate the Biggest Memory Hog
Additionally, the framework is launching its OcuLink dev kit, which includes an adapter board, graphics module dock, and PCIe dock that enables the use of off-the-shelf PCIe cards such as graphics cards, 100Gbp/s network cards, and video capture cards. It works like a kit, with 3D-printable designs for deep user customization and setup.
