“The Framework Laptop 12, a colorful 2-in-1 convertible, blends repairability with a vibrant design aimed at students. Its modular ports and easy upgrades set it apart, but its $799 price and older Intel Core i3 processor struggle to compete with budget Chromebooks and premium laptops like the MacBook Air. Critics praise its ethos but question its value in a crowded market.”
Framework Laptop 12: Balancing Innovation and Price in a Crowded Market
The Framework Laptop 12, launched in June 2025, has captured attention with its vibrant, repairable design and modular ethos. This 12.2-inch touchscreen convertible, available in five two-tone colorways—Charcoal Black, Slate Gray, Lavender & Gray, Bubblegum Pink & Blue, and Sage Green—targets students and professionals seeking a customizable, durable device. Its ABS plastic body, paired with a metal frame, offers robustness, meeting the US Army’s MIL-STD-810 standard, enduring drops from 1.2 meters and rigorous touchscreen tests.
Framework’s signature modularity shines through with its expansion card system, allowing tool-free swapping of ports like USB-C, HDMI, or microSD across its four USB 3.2 Gen 2 slots. The laptop scores a perfect 10/10 for repairability from iFixit, with QR-coded components linking to repair guides and a tool-free keyboard and trackpad removal system. This ease of repair, coupled with upgradeable components like RAM and SSD, positions it as a sustainable alternative to disposable laptops.
However, the Framework 12 faces stiff competition. Priced at $799 for a prebuilt Core i3 model with 8GB RAM and 512GB SSD, or $549 for the DIY version, it’s significantly costlier than entry-level Chromebooks, which often retail for under $500. Reviewers note its 13th Gen Intel Core i3-1315U processor, while capable for daily tasks, lags behind newer CPUs in premium laptops like the MacBook Air or Dell XPS 13, especially for CPU-heavy workloads or graphics. The lack of a backlit keyboard and biometric authentication further dents its appeal.
Battery life is another concern, with reports of less than four hours under demanding apps, and the fans can get loud during heavy use. The 1200p display, while bright, lacks the vibrancy of OLED or mini LED screens, covering only 68% of the DCI-P3 gamut. Framework’s Linux support is robust, but Windows 11 performance has mixed reviews, with some noting the need for better driver updates.
The company’s vision extends beyond laptops. Framework recently teased its second-generation lineup, promising Meteor Lake-N CPUs, dual-channel DDR5, and USB4 ports by late 2025. A unique community-driven mod, integrating Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons via 3D-printed rails, highlights the laptop’s versatility as a tablet-gaming hybrid, though it’s a niche use case. Framework’s upcoming Desktop, showcased at a San Francisco event, further expands its repairable ethos.
Despite its charm, the Framework 12’s price-performance ratio raises questions. Reviewers like those at Engadget and Ars Technica argue it struggles to justify its cost against budget alternatives or high-end competitors. Framework’s CEO, Nirav Patel, positions it as a “non-boring” option, but market realities, including potential tariff-driven price hikes, challenge its positioning as a student-friendly device.
Disclaimer: This article is based on recent news, reports, and reviews from sources like iFixit, Ars Technica, Engadget, and Framework’s official announcements. Information is accurate as of July 7, 2025, but subject to change as new updates emerge.