Particle.news
Download on the App Store
3 ARTICLES
·
last wk.

Framework Laptop 13 DIY Kit Refines Modular Design with Improved Thermals and User Experience

The latest iteration of Framework's customizable laptop delivers a fun assembly process and strong performance, though it comes with a premium price and some average components.

Framework Laptop 13 (AMD Ryzen AI 300 Series)
© Kyle Barr / Gizmodo
blank

Overview

  • Framework's Laptop 13 DIY kit offers a refined modular experience, allowing users to assemble components like memory, storage, and expansion cards for a personalized device.
  • New improvements include better thermals that keep fan noise low and a keyboard with 1.5 mm key travel for an excellent typing experience.
  • The laptop's performance, powered by AMD Ryzen AI processors, outpaces competitors like the Dell XPS 13 but lags behind Apple's MacBook Air M4 in benchmarks.
  • Despite its customization benefits, the Framework 13 comes at a high cost, with fully built configurations priced between $1,680 and $2,000, excluding a Windows license.
  • Framework's modular approach is influencing the broader industry, with companies like Asus adopting similar design principles and Intel expressing interest in modular laptops.