Framework is Rethinking Laptops and Mini-PCs With Customization and Power – Hands-on Impressions

We often see tech companies try to think outside the box to innovate, and to varying degrees of success – sometimes steps in that direction end up being variations on the same thing. So, when something genuinely does rethink the tech we’re used to, it’s a fascinating prospect even if it doesn’t necessarily revolutionize things. The relatively new PC maker Framework had done this in 2021 with its debut in the Framework Laptop 13 and a follow-up in 2023 with the Framework Laptop 16, both of which are modular and customizable high-performance laptops. The company recently revealed that it’s expanding its catalog with a second generation of the Laptop 13, as well as two new products: the compact tablet-inspired Laptop 12, and the Framework Desktop, which shares a similar design philosophy for a mini-PC that packs a serious punch.

I was able to get my hands on all of Framework’s new PCs at a recent reveal event, and even benchmarked the mini PC and played Cyberpunk 2077 and Counter-Strike 2 to get a feel for its capabilities. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t impressed – not only do the AMD Ryzen AI chips that power these machines put up great frame rates at reasonable graphics settings like a true gaming PC, they stay cool and quiet, too. However, like many of these enthusiast-level boutique products, you’ll be paying a premium for them, especially the deeper you get into customizing your final build. Still, this is a unique take on melding the PC-builder’s mentality with sleek portable systems, whether you need a workstation or competent gaming machine – or both in the same package.

The New Framework Laptop 13 and Laptop 12

The Framework philosophy is one of modularity and upgradability, and the original Framework Laptop 13 and Laptop 16 were great examples of the brand’s distinction from typical laptops – these have mainboards with powerful APUs, but with configurable RAM, storage, and operating systems (either Linux or Windows). Smaller touches like keyboard positioning, having a number pad, and which ports make up the six expansion slots are things you just don’t see in other laptops. Most importantly, if/when the time comes, you can swap out the mainboard as a way to upgrade your internals without having to get an entirely new system. In other words, it’s a laptop that’s intended to be modular in the same way a custom-built PC is. All of this is done with proprietary parts that either snap into place or are held together by small screws – all you need to swap or change out parts is the small screwdriver the laptop comes with.

All of that applies to the upcoming second-gen Framework 13. This time, you can choose between the Ryzen AI 5 340, Ryzen AI 7 350, Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 starting at $899, $1,299, and $1,669, respectively, for the DIY kit. Prices go up based on what you choose to add onto it or upgrade, otherwise you’ll have to supply your own memory, SSD, and operating system. Packing a Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 in a compact 13-inch laptop (even as the high-tier option) is pretty wild as it is a powerful CPU and has GPU performance that’s nothing to scoff at; we’ve reviewed beefier laptops that use the same chip, and even those results were impressive. But again, it’s not cheap. Still, getting hands-on with the early build at the Framework showcase proved that this is a premium laptop that has the performance, cooling, and small footprint that few laptops offer. As of now, the next Framework Laptop 13 batch is available for preorder with estimated shipping window of May 2025.

The Framework 12 serves a bit of a different purpose while still being as configurable as its larger counterparts. It’s more compact of course, but has a capacitive touchscreen and the keyboard can fold all the way back to have it function like a tablet (and you get a stylus along with it). It’s also built with durability in mind as it’s supposed to be a low-cost solution for those who need a capable work or school laptop. I was able to mess around with it and that proved this thing is not fragile – the rubberized casing helps protect the laptop as well. They’re not up for preorder yet, but will begin rolling out sometime in mid-2025.

The Mini-PC That Could: The Framework Desktop

Although the main appeal of Framework is the modular laptop design, it extends similar principles to its mini-PC. Think of it as a middle ground between an actual mini-ITX PC you could build, but with the motherboard, CPU, GPU, memory, and cooling solution relegated to a single mainboard. It’s a bit odd to think that Framework’s desktop debut is somewhat less modular than its laptops, but the primary goal here seems to be offering the most power possible in the smallest form possible.

Framework decided to make a compromise when it came to memory – the desktop’s LPDDR5x RAM is soldered onto the board and it cannot be swapped out or upgraded once you choose which memory configuration you want when customizing your build for purchase. Framework says this allows for a full 256Gb/s memory bandwidth, which results in better performance. It also saves space by not having to wedge typical RAM sticks into the board. It’s not that big of a deal to me, although it would push me to futureproof the machine by choosing a higher memory capacity upon purchase.

The pure performance, however, makes this an impressive little machine. That’s mostly thanks to the AMD Ryzen AI Max chip (16 CPU cores at 5.1GHz boost clock, discrete-level Radeon 8060S graphics) running at its full potential fed by a 400W power supply. Yes, Ryzen AI Max is designed for laptops, but with more robust cooling solutions designed by Cooler Master and Noctua specifically for Framework’s desktop, it’s afforded the headroom to run with much less compromise (120W sustained and 140W boosted) since thermals are not as much of a bottleneck.

Having played Cyberpunk 2077 on the Framework Desktop, it’s comparable to a modern console experience. I played about 30 minutes using 1440p resolution and the High settings preset with FSR set to Quality (and no ray tracing), and was able to stay well above 60 fps with a few dips to around 50 fps in heated action. I also ran the in-game benchmark and got 82 average fps with those same settings; and that’s without frame generation. Going up to 4K brought the system to its knees, though (even with FSR set to Quality) – the benchmark got a 14.52 fps average, and there’s likely some kind of threshold that prevents the hardware from properly handling high-fidelity 4K gaming altogether. Regardless, those kinds of results at 1440p with High settings in one of the more demanding PC games, while staying cool and quiet, is outstanding.

I was also able to physically get my hands on the Framework Desktop as well, breaking it down and putting it back together to get a feel for how intuitive and easy it is to configure. The case itself is comprised of five magnetic panels: front, back, top, and both sides. And the base holds the frame together for which the mainboard is screwed onto. On the mainboard, you’ll find two m.2 slots for SSDs (one on each side of the mainboard). And there are a number of small touches like an optional carrying handle you can screw into the top of the panel and colorful little square tiles you can snap onto the front panel to personalize its look.

Like the laptops, there are several options to choose from before making your purchase, and nearly every part (outside of what’s built onto the mainboard) can be swapped out and bought separately from Framework. The three base configurations of the Framework Desktop are built with the Ryzen AI Max 385 with 32GB RAM, Ryzen AI Max 395+ with 64GB RAM, and Ryzen AI Max 395+ with 128GB of RAM – these start at $1,099, $1,599, and $1,999 respectively. You will need to either choose one of Frameworks available options for SSD storage, operating system, CPU fan, and port expansion cards or provide your own.

Is a Framework Laptop or Desktop Worth It?

I really like that Framework is rethinking how laptops and mini-PCs can still fulfill the DIY spirit of PCs while making it as easy as possible with a smart modular design. And PC hardware has gotten to the point where you can get a ton of power in such a small package – just look at my aforementioned Cyberpunk 2077 benchmark results. But something has to give in this equation, and it’s pricing. Framework’s stuff isn’t cheap, which goes against the DIY ethos a bit – one of the biggest reasons why we gravitate towards custom-built gaming PCs is to save money. However, I’ve yet to see a manufacturer do things quite like Framework, and I suppose that demands a premium.