The Framework Laptop 13 Proves Upgradable Laptops Are the Future

WIRED

20-04-2025

The Ryzen AI 7 350 is on par with the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus or Intel Core Ultra 7 256V, give or take. It's slightly behind in single-core performance, as measured by Cinebench R24, and a half-step ahead in multi-core. These processors aren't known for being a powerhouse. Rather, the focus is all on efficiency. Here's where the AMD chip is solidly in last place. Battery life on the Framework Laptop 13 is improved from prior models, but it's not as long as what you get on a Snapdragon X or Core Ultra Series 2 PC.
The light battery test I ran on the Laptop 13 lasted roughly 11 hours, looping a local video at max display brightness. That's eight to 10 hours behind some of the competition, showing how much Intel, Qualcomm, and Apple have raised the bar in the past year. For my typical workload, real-time battery life sank to around 7 and a half hours. That's around the same as on the original Framework Laptop 13 I tested in 2021. If battery life is your main concern, it may be worth waiting to see if Framework introduces an Intel Core Ultra Series 2 Mainboard. Peripheral Woes
There are some aspects of the laptop you'll always be stuck with, namely, the chassis. Laptop designs that take full advantage of the more efficient chips in the future should result in thinner laptops without losing performance. We're already seeing this in effect with thinner gaming laptops than ever.
Photograph: Luke Larsen
But it's also worth noting that some of the other components are somewhat outdated as they are right now. The webcam is a good example. In 2021, when this laptop was first designed, 2-MP webcams at 1080p were a good resolution to expect. Many PCs are moving to 1440p or higher, like the recent M4 MacBook Air. Apple has been upgrading the webcam from 720p in 2020 to 1080p in 2022, and now to 12-MP in 2025. The MacBook Air today costs the same as the MacBook Air from 2020.
The lower-resolution screen in the starting configuration is outdated compared to the competition as well. My unit has a higher-resolution 2,880 x 1,920 IPS panel with a 120-Hz refresh rate, which is more than sharp, fast, and color-accurate enough. The matte finish is great for deflecting glare. But that's in a configuration that costs over $1,500. For that price, many laptops offer even sharper OLED panels with significantly higher contrast, and maybe even a touchscreen.
The good news is that there's a strong chance Framework will offer newer components to reflect the current standard. The company sells webcam modules, speaker upgrades, and display kits for older machines, and there's no reason to expect there won't be newer versions soon. But those upgrades will cost extra, and once again, you're putting your faith in Framework to deliver.
Fortunately, the Framework Laptop 13 is still a great starting place, and it'll be many more years before it feels truly outdated. Today, it's more than just a practical answer to the problem of electronic waste. It's a truly one-of-a-kind laptop.