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Article updated on July 22, 2021 at 8:00 AM PDT

Framework Laptop review: A functional and futureproof 13 inches

A poster child for the right-to-repair movement, Framework's modular laptop is one of the smartest designs I've seen in a long time.

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Lori Grunin
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Lori Grunin Senior Editor / Advice
I've been reviewing hardware and software, devising testing methodology and handed out buying advice for what seems like forever; I'm currently absorbed by computers and gaming hardware, but previously spent many years concentrating on cameras. I've also volunteered with a cat rescue for over 15 years doing adoptions, designing marketing materials, managing volunteers and, of course, photographing cats.
Expertise Photography, PCs and laptops, gaming and gaming accessories
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8.5/ 10
SCORE

Framework Laptop

Buy at Framework

Pros

  • Almost completely configurable and upgradable
  • Smart and functional design
  • Practically no performance sacrifices
  • 1,080-pixel, 60 frame per second webcam with camera and mic shutters
  • Opens 180 degrees

Cons

  • Looks relatively generic
  • No Thunderbolt 4 yet

Are you old enough to remember when laptops had removable batteries? Frustrated by mainstream laptops with memory soldered to the motherboard and therefore not upgradable? The 13.5-inch Framework Laptop taps into that nostalgia, addressing one of the biggest drawbacks in modern laptops as part of the right-to-repair movement. It was designed from the ground up to be as customizable, upgradable and repairable as technologically possible. That's a lot of -able, and boy does it deliver.

It features four expansion card slots, slide-in modules that snap into USB-C connectors, socketed storage and RAM, a replaceable mainboard module with fixed CPU and fan, battery, screen, keyboard and more. It's a design that makes the parts easy to access, all while delivering solid performance at competitive prices and without sacrificing aesthetics.

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Lori Grunin/CNET

The laptop's in preorder now for the US and Canada, slated to ship in small batches depending upon the configuration. Core i7-based systems are expected to go out in August, while Core i5 systems won't be available until September. 

Prices for the Framework Laptop start at $999 for the prefab Core i5-1135G7 model with 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD, $1,399 for the Core i7-1165G7 Performance model with 16GB RAM and 512GB storage or a vPro Core i7-1185G7 Professional model with 32GB RAM and 1TB storage. Framework expects to expand into new regions by the end of the year; $999 converts to roughly £730 or AU$1,360.

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The small expansion cards slip into recesses on the sides and connect via USB-C.

Lori Grunin/CNET

You can only buy the entry model with 8GB RAM and a 256GB SSD; if you want 16GB, my recommended minimum for running Windows, you've got to upgrade it yourself. You can buy a 250GB ($69), 1TB ($149) or Micro SD ($19) expansion card if you want an easier way to add storage, but performance won't be as good as the NVMe SSD. 

Framework Laptop

Price as reviewed $2,047
Display 13.5-inch 2,256x1,504 pixels 60Hz
PC CPU 3GHz Intel Core i7-1185G7
PC Memory 32GB DDR4 3,200MHz
Graphics 128MB Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Storage 1TB NVMe SSD, 1x micro SD
Ports 2x USB-C (PD), 1x USB-A, 1x DisplayPort, 1x HDMI
Networking Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201, Bluetooth 5.2
Operating system Microsoft Windows 10 Pro 21H1
Weight 2.3 lbs/1.3 kg

The default pricing on all configurations is for four USB-C modules, but you can mix and match ports from USB-C or USB-A ($9 each) and DisplayPort or HDMI ($19 each). Although the laptop only accommodates four expansion cards, you can buy as many as you need to swap in and out. 

I love being able to switch the side a given port is on based on where the attached cable is; no more winding the USB-C power around because the adapter's on the other side or struggling to gain another inch or two out of the HDMI connection because the monitor's on the left, not the right. Yes, you can hook up to a dock for more ports, but I've run into too many devices that insist on connecting directly to the port.

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Enlarge Image
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The ribbon cable connects the touchpad to the mainboard and automatically detaches when you open the system to prevent accidents.

Lori Grunin/CNET

If you're feeling DIY, prices start at $749, but that basically just gives you the CPU and chassis. If you toss in the entry levels of memory and storage (8GB and 500GB) four USB expansion cards, Wi-Fi, power adapter and Windows. it works out to $1,109. The DIY model adds Linux to the list of operating systems you can install, and doesn't restrict Windows Pro to the vPro model. 

A thing of inner beauty

Modular has been done before, but everything in this system is replaceable, upgradable and repairable. Many laptops let you upgrade memory or storage and replace the screen. With the Framework, in addition to the ports you can swap out the mainboard, touchpad, keyboard, speakers, battery... anything you can think of. Don't feel like doing it yourself? Framework is publishing all the information necessary for a repair shop or IT department to not just swap parts, but to perform repairs.

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The three screws holding the mainboard in place are clearly numbered.

Lori Grunin/CNET

Beyond that, though, Framework has put a ton of thought into addressing all the pain points you might encounter in pursuit of upgrades; you could probably change out any part without looking at a manual. It comes with a tool that has screwdriver on one end -- a combo Torx T5 and Philips head -- and a wedge on the other for prying parts apart, plus some spare screws. Many of the screws are captive, an important consideration because they're tiny. Magnets hold the interchangeable screen bezel on.

Nothing is buried under other parts, so everything's easy to get to. Each Framework part has a QR code and short URL to take you to all the info you'll need about it and the labels on the standard parts (memory and SSD) are easy to read.

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Framework gets an "A" for documenting the components.

Lori Grunin/CNET

And Framework has managed this feat without making the laptop thick or unwieldy. It's not the skinniest kid on the block, but it's hardly chunky at 15.9mm (0.6 inches) and 2.3 lbs (1.3 kilograms). The drive to make the thinnest possible laptop is partly responsible for the irreparability we're stuck with today, anyway.

Nor are there compromises on the components, which include fast WD Black SSD, a 1080/60fps webcam -- still not great, but better than most of the 720p models in today's laptops -- a bright sub-QHD resolution sRGB screen (the same one that's in the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Titanium Yoga, albeit without the touchscreen overlay), surprisingly comfortable backlit keyboard and large touchpad. 

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There are physical covers for the mic as well as the webcam.

Lori Grunin/CNET

Though it doesn't yet have Thunderbolt 4 expansion cards, that's not a technology problem. It's got the same dual Thunderbolt controllers as most Intel 11th-gen laptops, along with the PCIe 4 storage and Wi-Fi 6. And it delivers competitive performance for the money.

My biggest reservation about the Framework Laptop is how proprietary many of the modules are. That's technologically necessary, but in the past has choked modular designs. The beauty of this system, though, is that even if you never need to replace a part or find you can't, you're still no worse off than if you'd bought another company's laptop. Nor do I see it posing a significant threat to the bottom line of any of the big laptop manufacturers. But if it can nudge them into rethinking their designs, we're all better off.

Geekbench 5 (multicore)

Framework Laptop 4,871HP Spectre x360 14 4,940Samsung Galaxy Book 360 (15-inch) 5,051LG Gram 16 5,297Lenovo Yoga 9i (14-inch) 5,405Razer Book 13 5,659
Note: Longer bars indicate better performance

Cinebench R23 CPU (single core)

HP Spectre x360 14 1342LG Gram 16 1364Samsung Galaxy Book 360 (15-inch) 1388Framework Laptop 1470
Note: Longer bars indicate better performance

Cinebench R23 CPU (multicore)

HP Spectre x360 14 4,599Samsung Galaxy Book 360 (15-inch) 4,767LG Gram 16 5,173Framework Laptop 5366
Note: Longer bars indicate better performance

PCMark 10 Pro Edition

Framework Laptop 4313LG Gram 16 4,665HP Spectre x360 14 4,835Samsung Galaxy Book 360 (15-inch) 5,027Lenovo Yoga 9i (14-inch) 5,052Razer Book 13 5,077
Note: Longer bars indicate better performance

3DMark Wild Life Extreme

Framework Laptop 3278HP Spectre x360 14 3,698LG Gram 16 3,856Samsung Galaxy Book 360 (15-inch) 5,561
Note: Longer bars indicate better performance

Streaming video playback battery drain test (minutes)

Samsung Galaxy Book 360 (15-inch) 446Framework Laptop 470Razer Book 13 687HP Spectre x360 14 862LG Gram 16 877Lenovo Yoga 9i (14-inch) 885
Note: Longer bars indicate better performance

System configurations

Framework Laptop Microsoft Windows 10 Pro (21H1); 3GHz Intel Core i7-1185G7; 32GB DDR4 3,200MHz RAM; 128MB Intel Iris Xe graphics; 1TB PCIe NVMe SSD
HP Spectre x360 14 Microsoft Windows 10 Home (20H2); 2.8GHz Intel Core i7-1165G7; 16GB LPDDR4x 3,733MHz RAM; 128MB Intel Iris Xe graphics; 512GB Samsung PCIe NVMe SSD
Lenovo Yoga 9i (14-inch) Microsoft Windows 10 Home (20H2); 3GHz Intel Core i7-1185G7; 16GB LPDDR4x 4,267MHz RAM; 128MB Intel Iris Xe graphics; 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD
LG Gram 16 Microsoft Windows 10 Home (20H2); 2.8GHz Intel Core i7-1165G7; 16GB LPDDR4x 4,267MHz RAM; 128MB Intel Iris Xe graphics; 1TB PCIe NVMe SSD
Razer Book 13 Microsoft Windows 10 Home (20H2); 2.8GHz Intel Core i7-1165G7; 16GB LPDDR4x 4,267MHz RAM; 128MB Intel Iris Xe graphics; 256GB PCIe NVMe SSD
Samsung Galaxy Book 360 (15-inch) Microsoft Windows 10 Home (20H2); 2.8GHz Intel Core i7-1165G7; 16GB LPDDR4x 4,267MHz RAM; 128MB Intel Iris Xe graphics; 1TB PCIe NVMe SSD