A Repairable Notebook At The Top Of The Class

Key Points:

• Framework has released the Laptop 13 Pro, aiming to compete with high-end machines like the MacBook Pro by offering a modular, repairable laptop for Linux and Windows users, featuring improved design, performance, and build quality.
• The 13 Pro includes significant upgrades such as a machined aluminum body, a 13.5-inch touchscreen, a new 74Wh battery requiring redesigned parts, a haptic touchpad, and compatibility with Intel's new Panther Lake chips using LPCAMM2 RAM for upgradability.
• Cooling has been notably improved with Intel's assistance and new processor technology, resulting in near-silent operation under normal use and manageable fan noise even under heavy loads like gaming or AI tasks.
• Despite enhancements, some areas like speaker quality and webcam performance remain underwhelming, and the price has surged dramatically due to RAM supply issues, with mid-tier models costing around $3,100—double the typical expected price.
• Framework remains committed to modularity and repairability, allowing users to upgrade components over time, but current market conditions make purchasing a new laptop expensive, leading the company to offer full refunds for pre-orders affected by price hikes.