Aside from the groundbreaking Desktop Framework that has made waves in the hardware industry, Framework Company has introduced not one, but two new laptops simultaneously. Introducing the Framework Laptop 12, a compact notebook with a 12.2″ touchscreen display, the first of its kind by the company (previously only available in 13″ and 16″). This convertible laptop-to-tablet features an Intel Core 13th Gen i3/i5 CPU, up to 48GB DDR5-5200 RAM, 2TB NVMe storage, Wi-Fi 6E support, a 1920×1200 resolution display with 400 nits brightness, and the option to run either Windows 11 or Linux OS.
Framework has compacted the 13″ notebook to fit into a smaller chassis using TPU material to reduce impact force on the exterior. They have opted for brighter, more vibrant color options to attract the student market, offering the Framework Laptop 12 in 5 different colors. The pricing for the Framework Laptop 12 has yet to be announced, but pre-orders are set to open in April with deliveries expected mid-2025.
On the other hand, the Framework Laptop 13 featuring an AMD Ryzen AI 300 CPU continues the legacy of Framework Laptop 13, released in 2021 with 11th Gen Intel Core processors. This latest version is considered the 7th iteration of the Framework Laptop 13. The new chassis design has improved heat dissipation systems, a revamped keyboard, and new color options. The exterior appearance remains largely unchanged, while users can now choose from Ryzen 5, Ryzen 7, and the high-end Ryzen 9 HX 370 CPUs, supporting up to 96GB DDR5-5600 RAM and 8TB storage, with an upgrade to Wi-Fi 7.
The keyboard of the Framework Laptop 13 is a second-generation design that resembles its predecessor (manufactured by Lite-On). The key travel distance remains at 1.5mm, but the mechanics of wider keys like spacebar/shift have been adjusted to reduce noise and add a Copilot key, which can be used without the logo if desired. Existing users can upgrade internal modules as per Framework’s repair and upgrade concept that focuses on easy repair and upgrades.
The Framework Laptop 13 starts at $899 for the DIY Edition, which includes incomplete components, and $1,099 for the fully assembled version. The new motherboard is sold separately starting from $449.
TLDR: Framework introduces the new Framework Laptop 12 with a 12.2″ display and the Framework Laptop 13 featuring the latest AMD Ryzen AI 300 CPU, offering powerful performance in compact designs with customizable options and easy upgrades.
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