Framework Laptop 13 Review (2023): The Repairable Laptop Gets Even Better

The Framework Laptop 13 is a kind of machines virtually everybody can purchase (if there is a want for a brand new laptop). It’s highly effective, user-serviceable, upgradable, repairable, and extra futureproof than another laptop computer in the marketplace. I might solely provide you with two causes for not shopping for this machine. The first is that you simply’re a video editor or gamer, during which case you desire a devoted video card, which this laptop computer doesn’t supply. The second is that you simply don’t need to spend greater than $1,000 on a laptop computer (the bottom prebuilt model begins at $1,049).

For virtually each different use case I can consider, the Framework Laptop 13 is pretty much as good as its opponents, and it’s repairable, upgradable, and customizable, saving you cash down the highway. It’s not excellent, however this third model of the Framework Laptop 13 is fairly darn shut.

The Perfect Upgrade

To actually check the 2023 model of the Framework Laptop 13, I ought to have saved the mannequin I reviewed final 12 months as a substitute of sending it again to the corporate. That means, I might check the improve course of, which includes swapping out the motherboard for the brand new one. Framework did ship me the DIY equipment once more with the brand new mannequin, which is considerably just like the improve bundle in that it have to be put collectively. (You can go for the prebuilt model, which will likely be fully assembled for you.)

Whether you improve or are a first-time purchaser choosing up a brand new one, there are three issues within the new Framework Laptop 13 that make this a worthwhile improve. The first is the bigger battery, which obtained a bump from 55 watt-hours to 61 watt-hours. I don’t know if it’s purely the battery or the Thirteenth-generation Intel chip (or some mixture of the 2), however battery life is a lot better this time round—even on Linux, however extra on that in a minute.

The second motive to improve is the matte display, as a result of there are matte screens and crap screens, full cease. There’s no annoying glare or reflections. The third enchancment is that there’s now an AMD Ryzen-powered Framework. It’s not transport but, however you’ll be able to preorder the AMD boards, that are slated to ship later this 12 months. You can cross-upgrade from an Intel mannequin to an AMD too, although you’ll have to get new RAM and a brand new Wi-Fi card as effectively, which makes it a bit dearer.

For this overview, I’ll be trying on the Intel i7 mannequin (with the Thirteenth-Gen i7-1360P processor) or the improve equipment in the event you’ve already obtained an older Framework laptop computer. The unit Framework supplied got here with 16 GB of RAM and a 1-TB SSD (a Western Digital SN770, one in all our favourite SSDs). This configuration retails for $1,738.

You can configure your Framework with as much as 64 GB of RAM and use nearly any PCIe Gen4 SSD. A totally maxed-out Framework Laptop 13, with 64 GB of RAM and a 2-TB SSD will set you again $2,018. You can avoid wasting cash if have already got an SSD, or you can begin with a slower chip and improve simply the motherboard down the highway.

After all, that’s the primary enchantment of the Framework—you’re in management. At least, much more than you might be with a laptop computer from a high producer. Every part within the Framework has a QR code on it that can take you to webpages that present you the best way to improve and alter out your SSD, RAM, audio system, motherboard, and extra. I’ve come to suppose that the existence of the MacBook made the Framework inevitable. It is the repairable yin to Apple’s locked-up yang.

I occur to suppose that nothing goes as effectively with repairable, customizable {hardware} as Linux, a user-centric, customizable working system. Last time round I put in Linux on the Framework, however this time, the corporate supplied me with a Windows 11 key. I dutifully put in and used Windows lengthy sufficient to run some benchmarks, carry out a battery drain check, and get a really feel for day-to-day life on a Windows Framework. And then I pulled that drive out, caught my very own in, and put in Arch Linux. Ah, a lot better.