Framework’s cheapest laptop just got a major spec bump
Framework has updated its entry-level Laptop 12, giving its cheapest and most compact model a substantial hardware refresh. The revamped machine now runs Intel's latest Core Series 3 chips, bringing efficiency gains previously seen on the higher-end Laptop 13 Pro, along with optional extras such as a backlit keyboard and fingerprint reader, addressing key criticisms of the original budget-friendly but underpowered device.
Pre-built configurations come with a Core 3, Core 5 or Core 7 chip paired with 8GB, 16GB or 32GB of RAM respectively, and Framework claims the Core 5 variant offers 70 percent better battery life when streaming Netflix compared with the original Core i5 model, though buyers can pay extra to boost memory up to 48GB. The new chip also enables Thunderbolt 4 on two of the four swappable Expansion Card slots and faster DDR5 memory, while the 12.2-inch screen remains unchanged. Reflecting that over 80 percent of existing owners use Linux, Framework will ship the new model with Fedora pre-installed as standard, with Windows 11 available as a paid upgrade; pricing starts at $549 for a DIY version or $699 pre-built, with pre-orders open now and shipping expected in October.
- Framework Laptop 12 gets Intel Core Series 3 chips and new features
- Battery life improves up to 70% on the Core 5 model
- Starts at $549 (DIY) or $699 (pre-built), shipping October
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Framework is a computer maker known for laptops designed to be repaired and upgraded, including by replacing parts such as memory, storage and ports. The Laptop 12 is its smallest and lowest-priced model, aimed at people who want a compact computer rather than a larger, more powerful machine.
The latest chips are the laptop’s main internal components, handling everyday tasks and affecting speed and power use. Memory helps a computer run several apps at once, while the Expansion Card slots let owners choose which ports to add; the screen size has not changed. These details matter to buyers weighing price, battery life and flexibility, and to existing owners considering an upgrade.
Framework says many Laptop 12 owners use Linux, an alternative to Windows, so the choice of operating system is part of the model’s appeal. Its repairable design also means buyers can weigh a lower-cost do-it-yourself version against one assembled by the company.