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ZDNET’s key takeaways
- Framework’s new Laptop computer 13 Professional is a brand new product with a redesigned chassis.
- It options premium components like a haptic touchpad, an improved battery, and is pre-loaded with Ubuntu.
- It is absolutely modular and backward-compatible, beginning at $1,199 for the DIY model.
Framework, makers of modular, repairable laptops, simply introduced an all-new product: the Framework Laptop computer 13 Professional, a thin-and-light modular laptop computer with a redesigned chassis, Intel Core Extremely Sequence 3 processors, considerably improved battery life, and premium touches like a haptic touchpad.
Dubbed the “MacBook Professional for Linux customers” by Framework CEO Nirav Patel, the Laptop computer 13 Professional comes pre-loaded with Home windows or Ubuntu and breaks from the DIY aesthetic of Framework’s different laptops with a modern, extruded aluminum construct.
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I obtained my first glimpse of the Laptop computer 13 Professional on a video name with Patel, who made clear this laptop computer is the results of six years of consumer suggestions. “The 13 is the final word developer machine,” he mentioned. “It offers you the battery life and efficiency for energy customers, whereas nonetheless being repairable and upgradable.”
And that it’s, whereas pushing a sleeker, extra design-forward construct however making no concessions to Framework’s present mission. It is priced accordingly, beginning at $1,199 for the DIY model, $1,499 for the pre-built with Ubuntu, or $1,699 for the pre-built with Home windows. If you have already got a Framework Laptop computer 13, it is simply $449 for the brand new mainboard.
Modularity, meet battery effectivity
Patel says the largest leap ahead is the 13 Professional’s battery life. I examined Framework’s 12-inch and 16-inch laptops final yr and famous mediocre longevity on the 16-inch mannequin. The 13 Professional units out to alter all that, with a 74Wh battery and Intel’s Panther Lake chips, offering over 20 hours of video playback in its take a look at — longer than a 14-inch MacBook Professional M5.
There are three configurations of the Laptop computer 13 Professional with Panther Lake: Core Extremely 5, X7, and X9, with the highest-performing built-in GPU on a Framework laptop computer, which Framework says allows AAA gaming efficiency in titles like Cyberpunk 2077. In fact, you do not have to decide to an Intel SoC — with the choice for an AMD Ryzen AI 300 sequence.
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One other massive contributor to battery effectivity is the RAM. The Laptop computer 13 Professional makes use of the LPCAMM2 (low-power compression hooked up reminiscence module 2) format, enabling increased reminiscence bandwidth (module speeds as much as 7467 MT/s) in a power-efficient package deal whereas sustaining an upgradeable format.
The laptop computer will are available both a 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB configuration, and crucially, is upgradable down the road — a serious draw as RAM costs proceed to skyrocket.
A greater show, however nonetheless no OLED
Patel mentioned that Framework developed the show totally from scratch, customizing it for programming and productiveness. It is a 13.5-inch touchscreen LCD show with a 2880 x 1920 (3K) decision, 700 nits of brightness, and a 30-120Hz variable refresh charge.
There’s nonetheless no OLED choice, nonetheless, and that is as a consequence of each value and battery life. “We constructed from scratch one of the best trying LCD that we might, that is additionally extraordinarily energy environment friendly,” he mentioned. Noting the $1,699 value of the pre-built with Home windows, this would definitely push it nearer to $2,000.
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The modular nature of Framework’s elements means components may be swapped between gadgets, basically permitting the Laptop computer 13 Professional’s show to be slotted into earlier fashions or vice versa.
The extra delicate touches
Framework’s laptops weren’t precisely recognized for being skinny and light-weight — the Laptop computer 16 is almost 5 kilos — however the Laptop computer 13 Professional weighs three kilos and is 0.6 inches thick. Its aluminum graphite chassis is new and explicitly MacBook-esque, notably the keyboard and an optionally available haptic trackpad, a primary for Framework.
“Home windows laptops have traditionally fallen behind Macs on this space,” Patel mentioned, citing a renewed give attention to mechanical firmware for a extra premium expertise. Customizability is the place Framework differs; nonetheless, with grey and orange colorways out there for the keys, together with a fingerprint reader with Linux help out of the field that breaks up the company black and silver with its signature DIY aesthetic.
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The construct helps different beauty customizations as properly, together with bezel plating across the edges in daring shade choices like orange or translucent. Like older variations, the Laptop computer 13 Professional may also include 4 Thunderbolt 4 interface ports, linked via the enlargement card system that permits you to hand-pick every port and its placement (and shade).
All of those components are appropriate with the present Laptop computer 13 product, regardless of the design overhaul. Each the mainboard and show from the 13 Professional may be dropped instantly into an present system, however the backside cowl is barely bigger because of the improved battery.
It comes with a brand new chassis improve package that features the haptic touchpad, committing to the per-component modularity that permits customers to swap and improve elements piece by piece. Even higher: “Each half is swappable with a single screwdriver,” Patel mentioned.
Different bulletins
Apart from the Laptop computer 13 Professional, Framework additionally introduced upgrades to its Laptop computer 16, which now function an optionally available haptic touchpad, new bezel colours, and an AMD Ryzen 5 3400U processor for a extra accessible beginning value — a critique I had with the present Laptop computer 16, which began at $1,500.
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Moreover, Framework is launching its OcuLink dev package, which incorporates an adapter board, graphics module dock, and PCIe dock that allows using an off-the-shelf PCIe card like a graphics card, 100Gbp/s community playing cards, and video seize playing cards. It features like a package, with 3D-printable designs for deep consumer customization and setup.
