Framework announces the Laptop 13 Pro, a repairable MacBook Pro alternative
Framework's Latest Innovations: The Laptop 13 Pro and More
The world of personal computers is constantly evolving, but one company, Framework, stands out for its unique approach: making laptops that you can easily repair and upgrade yourself. This modular PC maker recently held its much-anticipated "[Next Gen] Event livestream", revealing a host of exciting new products. Among the most notable announcements was the Framework Laptop 13 Pro, an innovative, repairable alternative designed to challenge high-end laptops like the MacBook Pro.
Framework has been on a mission since its founding in 2020, aiming to change the way we think about consumer electronics. Instead of buying a new laptop every few years, Framework empowers users to keep their devices running longer by easily swapping out parts. The Laptop 13 Pro is their fourth laptop model, building on the success of the original Laptop 13. According to company founder Nirav Patel, this new product is the culmination of years of hard work, stating in a blog post that, "In many ways, this product has been six years in the making." He added that Framework has listened to all the feedback from users of the previous seven generations of the Framework Laptop 13 to create what he calls "the ultimate portable developer and power user machine." This dedication to user feedback is a cornerstone of Framework's philosophy, ensuring their products genuinely meet the needs of their community.
The Framework Laptop 13 Pro is now available for preorder directly from Framework's official website. For those who enjoy building their own systems, the "DIY Edition" starts at $1,199. If you prefer a ready-to-use laptop, pre-built configurations begin at $1,499. These options include systems pre-loaded with either Windows or the popular open-source operating system, Ubuntu Linux, offering users the flexibility to choose their preferred software environment from the get-go. The first batch of these highly anticipated laptops is expected to ship out in June, promising to bring powerful, repairable computing to users very soon.
Beyond the Laptop 13 Pro, Framework also announced exciting updates for its larger, gaming-focused Laptop 16, a new OCuLink Dev Kit for advanced users, a brand-new wireless keyboard, and a sleek new laptop sleeve. According to Nirav Patel, these new additions "represent a step change in our capabilities" and directly address common requests from their dedicated customer base. He proudly stated, "We have the scale and resources to build the products you want from us and to deliver on our mission of remaking consumer electronics." This demonstrates Framework's growing influence and commitment to creating a sustainable and user-friendly tech ecosystem. Let's delve deeper into each of these exciting announcements.
Discover the Framework Laptop 13 Pro: A True MacBook Pro Alternative
When Framework set out to design the Laptop 13 Pro, their ambition was clear: to create what Nirav Patel described as "a MacBook Pro for Linux users." This wasn't just about matching performance; it was about delivering a premium, powerful, and reliable computing experience that also championed user rights through robust repairability, effortless upgradeability, and the freedom to choose your preferred software. It's a bold statement in an industry often criticized for planned obsolescence, offering a stark contrast to many mainstream laptops that are difficult, if not impossible, for users to open and modify.
Design and Build Quality: A Premium Look and Feel
Indeed, the Laptop 13 Pro shares a striking resemblance to the iconic MacBook Pro in its aesthetic. It weighs just over three pounds, making it highly portable. Its standout feature is a new chassis crafted entirely from CNC (Computer Numerical Control) aluminum. This means the metal body is precisely cut and shaped by computer-controlled machines, resulting in an exceptionally strong, durable, and refined finish. The design adopts a modern, flat, "slab-like" shape, which gives it a sleek and sophisticated appearance, similar to contemporary Apple laptops. This is a departure from the standard Laptop 13, which has a more traditional silver chassis and a wedge shape reminiscent of an M1 MacBook Air. The Laptop 13 Pro will initially be available in an elegant graphite finish, much like Apple's popular space black colorway, with a classic silver version expected to follow soon, giving users even more choice in personalizing their device.
Powerful Performance for Demanding Tasks
Underneath its stylish exterior, the Laptop 13 Pro packs a serious punch. It's powered by the latest Intel Core Ultra Series 3 "Panther Lake" chips. These are cutting-edge processors designed for high performance and efficiency, making the Laptop 13 Pro ideal for demanding tasks such as complex software development, intense data analysis, or creative content creation. Users can choose from configurations featuring Core Ultra 5, Core Ultra X7, or Core Ultra X9 processors, allowing them to tailor the laptop's power to their specific needs and budget. To complement these powerful CPUs, the laptop is equipped with 16 to 64GB of fast and efficient LPCAMM2 memory. LPCAMM2 is a newer type of RAM (Random Access Memory) that is not only quicker but also more power-efficient and physically smaller than traditional SO-DIMM memory, contributing to both the laptop's performance and its impressive battery life.
An Advanced Display for Work and Play
A significant upgrade for the Laptop 13 Pro is its stunning new 13.5-inch display. It boasts a high resolution of 2,880 x 1,920 pixels, which translates to incredibly sharp images and crisp text, perfect for detailed work or enjoying high-definition media. The screen can reach up to 700 nits of brightness, ensuring excellent visibility even in brightly lit environments, and features a variable refresh rate ranging from 30 to 120Hz. This means the display can dynamically adjust how often it updates the image, providing buttery-smooth visuals for fast-paced content like gaming or scrolling, while conserving power for static images. Perhaps one of the most exciting additions, and a feature "many of you have been requesting for years," as Patel highlighted, is its touchscreen capability. This adds a new layer of interactivity, making navigation and creative tasks more intuitive. The display also features newly squared-off corners and an improved anti-glare matte finish, which reduces reflections and eye strain, enhancing the overall viewing experience.
Enhanced User Experience: Touchpad, Keyboard, and Audio
Framework has also paid close attention to the often-overlooked details that significantly impact daily use. The Laptop 13 Pro introduces a new haptic touchpad. Unlike traditional touchpads that click physically, a haptic touchpad uses vibrations to simulate a click, allowing for more precise control and a more consistent feel across the entire surface. Nirav Patel emphasized the importance of this, noting that "Touchpad feel is an area where Windows and Linux laptops have historically fallen behind Macs, so this is where we’re putting a lot of our focus across our mechanical, electrical, and firmware teams to deliver the best experience possible." This commitment to a superior touchpad experience aims to bridge a long-standing gap. While the keyboard retains the comfortable design of the regular Laptop 13, it now comes in two additional colors beyond the standard black, offering more personalization options.
Audio quality also receives a notable upgrade. The Laptop 13 Pro's speakers are cleverly relocated to both sides of its base, rather than being underneath the device like on the standard Laptop 13. This new placement helps project sound more directly towards the user, resulting in a clearer and fuller audio experience. Furthermore, these speakers support Dolby Atmos, a first for a Framework Laptop. Dolby Atmos is an advanced audio technology that creates a more immersive, multi-dimensional soundscape, making movies, music, and games sound more vibrant and lifelike.
The Heart of Framework: Repairability and Upgradeability
What truly sets the Framework Laptop 13 Pro apart is its unwavering commitment to repairability and upgradeability. While the new touchscreen was previously only available on the Laptop 12, Framework's budget-friendly hybrid, and the haptic touchpad is a brand-new feature for the entire Framework Laptop series, these are not just features for new buyers. The core principle of Framework is that every component in their laptops is designed to be easily user-replaceable and upgradable. This means you can swap out parts like the screen, keyboard, or even the main logic board (which contains the CPU) with simple tools and readily available replacement parts.
Furthermore, the Laptop 13 Pro, like all Framework machines, features four swappable port modules. This innovative design allows you to choose exactly which ports you need, from USB-C and USB-A to HDMI, DisplayPort, and more. Need a different set of ports for a specific task? Simply pop out the old modules and click in the new ones. This not only makes the laptop incredibly versatile but also future-proof, as you can adapt it to new technologies and peripherals as they emerge, significantly extending the lifespan of your device and reducing electronic waste.
Revolutionary Battery Life and Charging
One of the most requested improvements from Framework customers over the years has been better battery life, and the Laptop 13 Pro delivers a "complete ground up redesign that brings a massive leap in battery life," as Patel proudly stated. The new 74Wh battery is a substantial upgrade from the previous generation's 61Wh battery. This larger capacity, combined with the power-efficient Intel Core Ultra Series 3 chips and LPCAMM2 memory, results in incredible endurance. Framework claims the Laptop 13 Pro can offer over 20 hours of 4K Netflix streaming on a single charge – a remarkable 12-hour boost compared to its predecessor. This kind of battery life ensures you can work, study, or stream on the go without constantly worrying about finding an outlet.
To further underscore this achievement, Patel boldly claimed that the Laptop 13 Pro's battery life is "actually slightly longer than a 14-inch MacBook Pro M5!" While an M5 MacBook Pro might still be a future product, referring to the latest Apple Silicon's efficiency, this comparison highlights the significant strides Framework has made. In independent tests, a Panther Lake laptop tested earlier this year achieved over 24 hours of video playback, demonstrating the real-world potential of these new Intel chips. For context, our benchmark showed the M5 MacBook Pro lasting around 21 hours and 17 minutes, making Framework's claim for the Laptop 13 Pro particularly impressive.
To ensure quick power-ups, the Laptop 13 Pro also includes a larger 100W GaN (Gallium Nitride) power adapter. GaN technology allows chargers to be smaller, lighter, and more efficient than traditional silicon-based chargers, delivering faster charging speeds without generating excessive heat. This means less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive or entertained.
Upgrade Paths for Existing Framework Users
It's important to note that the Laptop 13 Pro is not replacing the existing base Laptop 13. Instead, it will be sold alongside it, providing customers with more options. The standard Laptop 13 will continue to be available, starting at a more budget-friendly $899 for the DIY Edition and $1,099 for pre-built configurations. True to Framework's commitment to upgradeability, a company representative confirmed that existing Laptop 13 owners will be able to upgrade their devices with almost all the new and improved components from the Laptop 13 Pro. This includes the new touchscreen display (priced at $299) and the powerful Panther Lake mainboard (starting at $449), which will dramatically boost performance. The extended battery life can also be achieved by purchasing the new 74Wh battery ($89), though this requires a Bottom Cover Upgrade Kit ($169) to accommodate the larger battery. For those craving the improved haptic experience, an Input Cover Kit ($179) will get you the new haptic touchpad. All these upgrade components are now available for preorder through the Framework Marketplace, making it easier than ever for users to extend the life and enhance the performance of their existing Framework laptops.
Framework Laptop 16 Enhancements and the OCuLink Dev Kit
The Framework Laptop 16, known for being a powerful, gaming-ready desktop replacement with its unique swappable graphics modules, is also receiving some exciting new components. These updates further enhance its appeal to gamers, content creators, and other power users who need top-tier performance and flexibility. The key highlight for the Laptop 16 includes new one-piece haptic touchpad and keyboard modules. These modules are designed without seams, offering a more unified and premium feel, while the haptic feedback provides a precise and satisfying tactile response across the entire surface. This is a significant improvement for a larger laptop where input quality is crucial for extended use.
A new translucent smoke gray bezel color will soon be available, allowing for further aesthetic customization, adding a touch of modern flair to the robust machine. Furthermore, Framework is introducing a new entry-level AMD Ryzen 5 340 CPU option. This broadens the accessibility of the Laptop 16, offering a more affordable starting point for users who still require strong multi-core performance but might not need the absolute top-tier Ryzen processors. The new touchpad and keyboard modules are currently up for preorder, included in Laptop 16 configurations that will begin shipping in June. The new bezel color is expected to arrive later this summer. For those interested in the more affordable entry point, the Ryzen 5-powered Laptop 16 is available for preorder starting today, with the DIY Edition at $1,249 and pre-built models at $1,599.
The OCuLink Dev Kit: Unleashing External Graphics Power
Perhaps one of the most exciting announcements for serious power users and developers is the preview of an OCuLink Dev Kit for the Laptop 16. OCuLink (Optical Copper Link) is a high-speed interface that enables incredibly fast data transfer, making it ideal for connecting external graphics cards (eGPUs) and other demanding peripherals. As Nirav Patel explained in a separate blog post, this module will "[enable] extremely high throughput peripherals like eGPUs" through the device's rear Expansion Bay. For those unfamiliar, an eGPU is an external enclosure that houses a powerful desktop graphics card, allowing you to significantly boost your laptop's graphics performance. This is particularly useful for tasks that require immense graphical horsepower, such as playing the latest AAA video games at high settings, rendering 4K video footage, or running complex software development environments that leverage GPU acceleration.
The OCuLink Dev Kit itself will include an adapter board, a graphics module dock, and a PCIe card dock. The adapter board connects to the laptop's Expansion Bay, while the graphics module dock holds the external GPU, and the PCIe card dock allows for other high-speed expansion cards. This modular approach means users can choose their preferred desktop graphics card and integrate it seamlessly with their Framework Laptop 16, turning it into a formidable gaming or professional workstation when needed, without sacrificing the portability of the laptop itself. This exciting kit is slated to ship later this year, with pricing details still to be announced. Its introduction further solidifies Framework's commitment to providing unparalleled flexibility and performance for its users.
Sneak Peek: The Framework Wireless Touchpad Keyboard
Always pushing the boundaries of modularity, Framework also offered a tantalizing glimpse of its upcoming Wireless Touchpad Keyboard. This innovative accessory is precisely what its name suggests: a compact, highly portable keyboard that includes a built-in touchpad on the right side. It’s a testament to Framework’s attention to detail that this keyboard is being developed in partnership with Lite-On, the same trusted Taiwanese tech manufacturer that has produced Framework’s laptop keyboards for the past five years. This partnership ensures that the wireless keyboard will maintain the same comfortable key spacing and travel that users have come to appreciate on their Framework laptops, offering a consistent typing experience across devices. The integrated touchpad is designed to support multi-finger gestures, providing a fluid and efficient navigation experience, similar to the built-in touchpads on laptops.
Beyond its core functionality, the Wireless Touchpad Keyboard will feature a translucent back cover, showcasing the intricate internal components – a nod to Framework’s transparent and open approach to hardware design. Crucially, it will also include a replaceable battery, aligning perfectly with Framework’s sustainability mission. But the innovation doesn't stop there. Framework is actively developing a clever USB-A Adapter Expansion Card module. The long-term vision is for this module to allow the wireless keyboard to fit snugly and flush inside a Framework Laptop, effectively making it an integrated, yet removable, accessory. Imagine having a full-featured portable keyboard and touchpad that you can slide into your laptop when not in use, and then pull out for desktop use or when connecting to a monitor – it’s a level of modularity rarely seen in consumer electronics.
While this groundbreaking keyboard won't be available until later this year, Framework decided to tease it well in advance. As Nirav Patel explained, this early preview is intended "to give developers an early start on building around it," inviting the creative community to think of new ways to integrate and utilize this unique accessory. Pricing details for the Wireless Touchpad Keyboard are yet to be announced, but its potential for enhancing productivity and versatility for Framework users is immense.
Introducing the Framework Laptop Sleeve: Practical Protection
Finally, Framework is rounding out its product lineup with a practical and much-needed accessory: a new carrying case designed to protect the Laptop 13 Pro, the standard Laptop 13, and the Laptop 12. Priced at an accessible $39, this laptop sleeve offers essential protection and convenient storage for users on the go. It features a padded main pocket, providing a secure and cushioned space for your laptop, safeguarding it against bumps and scratches during transit. Additionally, a separate compartment is included for accessories, allowing you to neatly store your charger, expansion cards, or other small essentials without them scratching your laptop. The sleeve will be available in two classic colors, black and silver, catering to different style preferences. While Framework's website indicated "coming soon" at the time of this writing, its imminent release means Framework users will soon have a dedicated, stylish, and protective option for carrying their modular laptops.
A Future of User Empowerment: Framework's Enduring Vision
The recent announcements from Framework's [Next Gen] Event livestream paint a clear picture of a company not just selling laptops, but building an ecosystem around user empowerment, sustainability, and technological evolution. By introducing the Laptop 13 Pro as a formidable, repairable MacBook Pro alternative for Linux users and power users, Framework is directly challenging the status quo of disposable electronics. The emphasis on high-performance components like Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processors, advanced LPCAMM2 memory, and vibrant touchscreen displays, combined with an industry-leading commitment to battery life and fast charging, demonstrates that repairability does not mean compromising on cutting-edge technology.
Furthermore, the continuous improvements to the Laptop 16, including refined input modules and a powerful OCuLink Dev Kit for external graphics, reinforce Framework’s dedication to advanced users and the DIY community. The preview of the Wireless Touchpad Keyboard, with its ingenious design allowing it to integrate into the laptop itself, showcases a thoughtful approach to accessory modularity. Even the simple yet essential laptop sleeve underlines Framework’s attention to the complete user experience.
Framework's journey since 2020 has been marked by remarkable growth, fueled by a passionate community and a clear vision. They have proven that there is a strong demand for consumer electronics that respect the user's right to repair, upgrade, and customize. As Nirav Patel eloquently put it, they now have "the scale and resources to build the products you want from us and to deliver on our mission of remaking consumer electronics." This isn't just about selling hardware; it's about fostering a culture of longevity, choice, and environmental responsibility in the tech world. By making sophisticated technology accessible and modifiable, Framework is setting a new standard for what a laptop manufacturer can and should be.
For those eager to dive deeper into all the reveals and insights from the event, you can watch the full Framework [Next Gen] Event livestream on the company's official YouTube channel. It's an inspiring watch for anyone interested in the future of sustainable and user-centric computing.
from Mashable
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