Framework Laptop 13.5 Intel 12th gen review: Like the Microsoft Surface, but actually repairable

[Redaktion]

When the original Framework Laptop launched last year, one of its key promises was the ability for owners to upgrade to newer processors with just a simple swap of the motherboard. The manufacturer is standing firm on its claims with the 2022 refresh.

https://www.notebookcheck.net/Framework-Laptop-13-5-Intel-12th-gen-review-Like-the-Microsoft-Surface-but-actually-repairable.633893.0.html

[Missing Data]

The benchmark data seems to be missing from most of the graphs. There are results for 11th gen Framework, but no 12th gen.

[Missing Data]

The benchmark data seems to be missing from most of the graphs. There are results for 11th gen Framework, but no 12th gen.

" No Specs found for the Notebook with the ID 330751 "

[DOC_]

Framework is a nonstarter.

Instead of the silly "modular" ports, just include a good standard set of ports.

2x USB-C on each side for TB and charging
1x USB-A
1x 3.5mm
1x HDMI
1x microSD

That'll made for a more rigid chassis that looks 10x better.

Also, when will we get an XPS 15 competitor with at least a 3060 tier GPU?

[Zaracane]

The speaker test is from the macbook pro? Don't get it...

[BobSmith]

I feel like the Framework laptops are really made to appeal to tech journalists, not users.

Most users aren't going to continually upgrade a laptop but rather swap out one set of components for another several years later, which is easier as a laptop replacement than as a "replace all the parts" job.  So you're creating a more mediocre laptop now to enable hypothetical future upgrades that probably won't happen.  While locking in first-gen design decisions that might not be optimal.

But tech journalists love the series for being something different to cover while checking off the "right to repair" buzzword box.

Meanwhile, the rest of us can just look for models that allow swapping out the parts that we care about, like RAM, battery, or WiFi card.

[lhl]

I feel like the Framework laptops are really made to appeal to tech journalists, not users.

I think you're not giving the repairability angle enough credit. Spilling drinks or otherwise having some keyboard keys or touchpad go out are some most common issues with otherwise perfectly functioning laptops, and now you can easily get a replacement and swap it out yourself for $40. Same for bad hinges, speakers that blow out, a bent cover, or battery replacements (that sadly, can be harder to find the exact replacement than they should be for many models).

As for other replacement parts, I don't think design lock-in is much of an issue. I'm looking forward to the eventual AMD motherboard upgrade - as long as it has the same mounting and doesn't exceed the current dimensions, it should be fine. Same for a better display (higher color gamut and refresh, please). In the meantime, with fully published mechanical specs, I know that when I do upgrade, I can 3D print or buy an enclosure for my old board and use it (or sell it) as a NUC or other DIY project. Something I've never done with any of my previous laptops.

It may not be for everyone (certainly all this appeals to someone that is a bit of an enthusiast, or at the very least, into repairability), but I think the audience certainly is a lot broader than tech journalists. I'm not one, and I've been excited since their initial release, and ordered a DIY edition 12th-gen version once I was satisfied that most of the teething problems (Linux compatibility, sleep and other battery drain issues) were being dealt with.

[Seth]

I won't touch this laptop with a along pole until they offer a touch screen. Until then my 2nd Gen Surface book will continue to rule !

[Vivian]

The biggest problem here is Intel CPU. Why should you start with more expensive, worse efficiency CPU

[Jakob P]

In terms of swappable ports, I feel like Framework could have much of the benefit with less waste of space if they grouped two ports together into a single expansion card. Then offer a slightly larger but still workable set of cards - USB-C + USB-A, 2x USB-C + power, 2x USB-A, USB-C + HDMI, USB-C + Ethernet, and a storage expansion with actual space for storage. Make it large enough to fit three small ports or two large ones, use USB hub functionality to mux the ports if necessary.

This review should really mention (PROMINENTLY) the extreme power draw on standby, which is going to chew through a full battery in less than a day. Even fully turned off, it draws almost as much power as most competitors' standby modes, and won't last more than a few days unless plugged in. Framework will have to put some serious work into this, especially given their sustainability angle.

Notebookcheck imho should dedicate a small paragraph to the practical experience of standby and turned-off power draw in every review. And compare it against competitors. The small bar with numbers isn't enough to provide the necessary context for people, but discharge when stowed away is also an important part of the laptop experience and should be treated as such.

[Marky Mark]

Notebookcheck imho should dedicate a small paragraph to the practical experience of standby and turned-off power draw in every review. And compare it against competitors. The small bar with numbers isn't enough to provide the necessary context for people, but discharge when stowed away is also an important part of the laptop experience and should be treated as such.

Since Microsoft introduced the idiotic Modern Standby, where the laptops really don't sleep and various background apps can do their tasks even in standby, it's impossible to do this.
What they can do instead is to test if a device has true standby (S3, S1) or the stupid "modern standby".

[Cloud]

Downgrading to the Core i5-1240P option from our Core i7-1260P is expected to entail a 45 percent multi-thread performance deficit [...]

Could you elaborate on this? Having looked at a few benchmarks in your database comparing the i5-1240P to the i7-1260P, this can't be right in my eyes..