What is a Framework Laptop?

A Framework laptop is a product developed by a company called Framework. Their primary mission is to create laptops that are both repairable and customizable. To summarize this review briefly: if you’re a tech enthusiast, you will love this laptop, and even if you’re not, it’s still worth considering. The company was founded in 2019 and has since released different models, including 13-inch and 16-inch laptops.

Ordering the Laptops

You can customize your order as desired. I opted for the 13-inch model, and I assume the process is similar for the 16-inch version. You can choose between a pre-built system or a DIY kit. I chose the DIY kit, which saved me about $300. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get the Ryzen CPU, but I managed to obtain a 13th gen Intel processor. I also purchased 32GB of RAM, 1TB of storage (I recommend getting 1TB just in case—you never know with laptops), no OS (which is great if you’re a Linux user), and all the expansion cards except the storage one. The total cost was about $1K, and it took about a week to arrive.

Building the Laptop

This section will be brief, but overall, the assembly is very straightforward. You’ll need to install the RAM, storage, keyboard, expansion cards, and possibly the Wi-Fi card, though I’m not certain about the last component. It took me about 5 minutes. If you’re looking to save money and want to build it yourself, the instructions are very detailed. Additionally, EVERY SINGLE part has a QR code on it to show you where to install it in the laptop. It even came with extra screws, which are color-coded.

Performance

This laptop performs really well for basic tasks, emulation, and running VMs. I can run two Windows VMs (one Windows client and one Windows server) plus a Linux server, and still have a couple of web browsers open without any issues. Note, if you don’t get Windows pre-installed and you want to install it yourself, you will need drivers to enable functionalities like Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth, and other features. So, have the drivers ready on a USB drive or similar—it’s not a big deal.

Overall Feelings

I am a huge fan of old ThinkPads—I own about five—and while the Framework laptop is somewhat more prone to breakage, it’s incredibly easy to repair or upgrade. For example, if you break your charger and the connector is stuck in the port, on other laptops you might need to fish it out, bring it to a repair shop, or buy a new laptop. With Framework, it’s just a $9 part that anyone can install. Regarding the ports, I wish every laptop was designed like this. Need HDMI? There’s a port for that. What about DisplayPort? Same thing, and it’s super easy to swap out—just hold a button and pull the port out (the first time might be a bit tricky). I wish other companies would follow in Framework’s footsteps—cough Apple cough. This approach not only empowers users but also promotes a sustainable future for consumer electronics. I would love the hear your experiences with framework or if you have any questions