Framework Laptop 13 (2025) assessment: getting higher with age

On the skin, Framework’s new Laptop 13 appears to be like about the identical because it has for the previous 4 years. But the modular, upgradable, easily-repairable laptop computer has modified loads the place it counts: on the within. It’s getting a chip bump for 2025, which might usually be fairly boring for every other laptop computer. But for the Framework, an enchancment for brand new customers can also be an improve for anybody who’s purchased one since 2021.

That’s the great thing about a Framework: A brand new mannequin means a complete new processor and major board you may drop into the pc you already personal.

Now outfitted with AMD Ryzen AI 300-series chips, the Laptop 13 continues to ship on a longshot promise Framework made years in the past, providing a laptop computer that permits you to choose your ports and exchange practically each part — from RAM and the SSD to a special keyboard, small beauty touches, and even a brand new display screen. Its design could also be practically unchanged, however the place different laptops make us really feel fortunate to get a user-accessible M.2 SSD slot, the Framework 13 permits you to construct to your individual spec.

The greatest change for the 2025 Framework Laptop 13 is its AMD chip choices, which now begin prebuilt with the Ryzen AI 5 340 for $1,099, the Ryzen AI 7 350 beginning at $1,529, and the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 from $2,099. The mainboards are additionally accessible individually, for individuals who have already got a Framework 13; at $449 for the Ryzen 340, $699 for the 350, and $999 for the HX 370.

Our assessment unit is a DIY Edition with the AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 chip, 32GB of RAM, 1TB SSD, an non-obligatory 120Hz 2880 x 1920 matte show, and a pair translucent bezels (I opted to put in the inexperienced one for a contact of Halo vibes). The Laptop 13 has 4 growth card slots, and my assessment unit got here with 5 swappable playing cards: two USB-C, one USB-A, DisplayPort, and an ethernet jack that juts out from the skinny chassis.

Aside from some new coloration choices for the bezel and the growth playing cards, the laptop computer appears to be like similar to earlier generations. It has some tiny updates: Wi-Fi 7, a brand new thermal cooling system with a bigger heatpipe, and a tiny refinement to the keyboard stopping longer keys from buzzing when blasting the audio system. The Framework’s audio system are mid at finest, however anyone have to be jamming out sufficient to get the friggin’ keys rattling. My assessment unit additionally consists of updates Framework launched with its Intel Core Ultra mannequin final yr, just like the 120Hz display screen and an improved webcam, each accessible as upgrades for current laptops.

Like the last-gen AMD mannequin, the brand new Framework 13’s 4 USB-C-based growth slots aren’t all the identical velocity. The rear two slots help USB4 whereas the entrance two are USB 3.2. All 4 help DisplayPort, although the left entrance one is DP 1.4 whereas the remainder are 2.0. So, sure, you may probably push video out to 4 shows. The Intel mannequin doesn’t have these limitations; all 4 of its growth slots help USB4.

I like to recommend the DIY Edition, even if you happen to’re not the tinkering kind. It’s cheaper and offers you extra configuration choices. It’s additionally the most affordable strategy to get the 120Hz display screen — the prebuilts solely include the 60Hz show.

Setting up our DIY assessment unit was easy and enjoyable. It took me round half-hour to open it up, clip within the RAM, screw within the M.2 SSD, and connect the keyboard deck and magnetic bezel. Even if you happen to’re fully new to this, Framework’s step-by-step guides, with clear footage and video clips, make it a breeze. It took longer to arrange Windows 11 the best way I prefer it.

The new Framework stays a good-looking little laptop computer. Its 3:2 display screen side ratio is nice for productiveness, providing you with extra vertical area than the extra frequent 16:9 and 16:10 screens, and its battery lasts by a full eight-hour work day. It feels simply as snappy because the last-gen Intel and AMD fashions, with a contact of added smoothness at 120Hz when plugged in (by default, Windows bumps you right down to 60Hz on battery, although you may override this).

Its trackpad stays squarely within the passable-to-fine vary, nevertheless it nonetheless feels ripped from a less expensive laptop computer. I by no means had any points with rattling keys on the previous-gen fashions (I assume I used to be by no means cool sufficient to pump the audio system loud sufficient), however I proceed to benefit from the Framework’s keyboard. It has 1.5mm of key journey that feels good general, although a contact spongier than I’d choose.

I hardly ever hear the fan utilizing Slack and Google Docs with dozens of Chrome tabs open, and it simply will get a bit of heat to the contact on its underside. (The fan additionally doesn’t appear to spin up randomly as usually because the Intel mannequin does.)

The eight-core AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 chip is as much as 22 p.c quicker than the final Framework fashions in multicore CPU efficiency, although it falls a bit of brief for graphics work as a result of its much less highly effective built-in GPU. The 350 chip’s Geekbench 6.4 GPU rating is 34 p.c decrease than the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H mannequin, and 23 p.c decrease than the last-gen AMD mannequin with Ryzen 7 7840U. But the Framework 13 can also be accessible with the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 for $430 extra; that’s the identical Strix Point chip we’ve seen within the Asus Zenbook S 16, amongst others, with a way more highly effective built-in GPU than both of the previous Frameworks.

The Ryzen AI 350 is highly effective sufficient for light-duty Photoshop and Lightroom Classic work, however the Framework 13’s display screen — whereas satisfactory — is just a bit too washed out for color-dependent duties. I really like that this 2880 x 1920 matte panel is 120Hz, however the coloration and distinction are lackluster, like Framework’s authentic 60Hz, 2256 x 1504 show that’s nonetheless the one possibility for prebuilts. The 2880 x 1920 panel will get fairly vivid at 500 nits, however coloration high quality is squarely within the mediocre vary.

Framework’s configurator costs our assessment unit at $ 1,781 (not counting a Windows 11 license). That’s properly into entry-level M4 MacBook Pro territory and about the identical as an even bigger Asus Zenbook S 16 with the HX 370 CPU; Framework prices $2,099 for a prebuilt with that chip.

The $999 M4 MacBook Air blows the Framework 13’s chips out of the water in single-core efficiency, has a nicer display screen, and lasts for much longer on battery. But there’s no upgrading something in a MacBook after you order it — ever.

If you worth repairability and upgradability in a laptop computer, there’s no competitors for the Framework 13. I’m an enormous fan of what this firm stands for, and with the Framework 13, it continues to ship on its promise of a modular, repairable, upgradeable laptop computer.

Sure, a number of the elements within the Framework 13 are middling for the cash. But no different laptop computer maker launches new fashions alongside standalone components that current house owners can purchase to improve their laptops. Imagine if Apple let M1 MacBook Air house owners purchase simply the M4 mainboard when it launched, as an alternative of an entire new laptop computer?

What started as an unproven startup in 2021 has matured into an intriguing and viable various to the massive laptop computer manufacturers and a standard-bearer for the correct to restore. The Framework Marketplace was as soon as a ghost city, however now it’s brimming with substitute components and at-the-ready upgrades.

The Framework Laptop 13 is a confirmed platform now. The fates of the corporate’s upcoming Desktop and funds 12-inch laptop computer are much less clear. Will they be enduring hits just like the Laptop 13 regardless of ongoing tariff chaos? Or will they be ongoing, unproven experiments, just like the Laptop 16? I can’t say but, however the extra modular, the merrier.

Photography by Antonio G. Di Benedetto / The Verge