The Framework Laptop 13 (2022) is an ultraportable Windows laptop. It replaces the Framework Laptop 13 (2021), and like its predecessor, it has a design that allows you to replace or upgrade the components easily. It also sports a modular port system that lets you swap out the ports on the fly. The 2022 model's design is identical to its predecessor, as it's largely an internal spec upgrade to Intel's 12th Gen platform with Intel P-series mobile CPUs. The Wi-Fi also gets upgraded to Wi-Fi 6E, and there's a new Ethernet expansion card.
You can see our unit's specifications and the available configuration options in the Differences Between Variants section.
The Framework 13 is only available on Framework's website.
Our Verdict
The Framework Laptop 13 is good for school use. It feels very well-built and is easy to carry around. It has a sharp and bright display, a comfortable keyboard, and a large, responsive touchpad. Its Intel CPU performs well and can handle CPU-intensive tasks; however, its integrated graphics aren't powerful enough for graphically demanding workloads, so it isn't ideal for students that require a lot of GPU power. Unfortunately, the battery only lasts about seven hours of light use, meaning you'll have to plug it in at some point to get through a typical 8-hour day.
- Easy to carry around.
- CPU can handle demanding workloads.
- Sharp and bright display.
- Comfortable keyboard and responsive touchpad.
- Modular port system.
- Battery doesn't last a full day.
- Integrated graphics struggles in intensive tasks.
The Framework Laptop is mediocre for gaming. Although its Intel 12th Gen CPU performs well, its integrated graphics aren't powerful enough to handle demanding games. It also has a 60Hz display with a slow response time, making fast-moving scenes look blurry, and it doesn't support variable refresh rate to reduce screen tearing.
- CPU can handle demanding workloads.
- Easy to repair and upgrade.
- Minimal performance loss under load.
- Integrated graphics struggles in intensive tasks.
- Slow response time causes noticeable ghosting.
- No VRR support.
The Framework 13 is decent for media consumption. Its IPS display is sharp and bright but isn't ideal for dark room viewing as blacks look gray, and while its speakers sound natural and clear, they don't get very loud. The battery lasts only around five hours of video playback, so you must bring the charger with you. Thankfully, the laptop and its power adapter are compact and easy to carry around.
- Easy to carry around.
- Sharp and bright display.
- Great color accuracy out of the box.
- Battery doesn't last a full day.
- Speakers don't get very loud.
- Blacks look gray in dim settings.
The Framework Laptop is good for use as a workstation. Its Intel 12th Gen CPU performs very well, making it well-suited for CPU-intensive tasks. However, it's only available with integrated graphics, so it isn't ideal for graphically demanding workloads. Its performance over time is excellent, as it doesn't suffer from significant performance loss when it gets hot. It has a modular port system that lets you swap the ports out to anything you want on the fly, and It's easy to upgrade the components to improve performance.
- CPU can handle demanding workloads.
- Comfortable keyboard and responsive touchpad.
- Easy to repair and upgrade.
- Minimal performance loss under load.
- Modular port system.
- Fast SSD.
- Integrated graphics struggles in intensive tasks.
- No wide color gamut support.
The Framework Laptop is great for business use. It feels very well-built and is very portable, which is great if you travel a lot for work. It has a sharp and bright display, a comfortable keyboard, and a large, responsive touchpad. It also has a great webcam for video meetings, and its modular port system lets you swap out the ports on the fly to adapt to any situation. Its Intel CPU performs well and can handle most productivity tasks like text processing, web browsing, spreadsheets, and presentations. The main downside is that its battery lasts only around seven hours of light use, meaning you'll need to carry the charger with you.
- Easy to carry around.
- CPU can handle demanding workloads.
- Sharp and bright display.
- Comfortable keyboard and responsive touchpad.
- Easy to repair and upgrade.
- Modular port system.
- Battery doesn't last a full day.
Changelog
- Updated Feb 01, 2024: Added mention of the Framework Laptop 13 (2023) as an alternative with a matte display in the Reflections section.
- Updated Dec 07, 2023: Converted to Test Bench 0.8.2.
- Updated Nov 03, 2023: Converted to Test Bench 0.8.1.
- Updated Oct 26, 2023: We've updated the review, as Framework has released new colored bezels, expansion cards, and a larger 61Wh battery.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We tested the Performance pre-configured model of the Framework Laptop with an Intel Core i7-1260P CPU, 16GB of memory, and 512GB of storage. You can get a pre-configured model or a DIY edition; the latter allows you to choose each component individually. Regardless of the configuration you choose, you have the option to add expansion cards (modular ports and storage drives) before checking out. You can see the options in the tables below.
The Framework Laptop is only available on Framework's website.
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| Professional |
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| DIY Edition | Options |
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You can see our unit's label here.
Popular Laptop Comparisons
The Framework 13 is great compared to other ultraportables in its class. It stands out for its sturdy build, modular port system, and excellent serviceability. However, its battery life isn't as good as other similar laptops.
For more options, check out our recommendations for the best laptops, the best business laptops, and the best laptops for college.
The Framework Laptop 13 (2022) and the Apple MacBook Air 13 (M1, 2020) are both 13-inch premium ultraportable laptops. The MacBook Air feels more sturdily built, is more portable, and has longer battery life. It also provides a better user experience with a more comfortable keyboard, a larger and more responsive touchpad, and better-sounding speakers. However, the Framework Laptop has a modular port system that lets you swap the ports out on the fly, while the MacBook Air is limited to two USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 ports. The most significant difference between these laptops is their serviceability. The Framework Laptop is easy to repair and upgrade, and there are easy-to-follow manuals online to help you. The MacBook Air, on the other hand, is hard to repair and isn't upgradeable since nearly all of its components are soldered onto the motherboard.
The Framework Laptop 13 (2022) and the Apple MacBook Air 13 (M2, 2022) are both premium ultraportable laptops. In terms of user experience, the MacBook Air is a little better. It has a keyboard that provides a better typing experience, a larger and more responsive touchpad, and better-sounding speakers. It also has a sturdier build and longer battery life. The most notable difference between these two laptops is their serviceability. The MacBook Air is difficult to repair and isn't upgradeable in any way, as nearly all of its components are soldered onto the motherboard. In contrast, Framework makes it easy to replace nearly every component in the laptop, provides manuals to do so, and uses standard parts that you can get from most PC component retailers. The Framework Laptop also has a modular port system that lets you swap out the ports on the fly, while the MacBook Air only has two USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 ports.
The Framework Laptop 13 (2022) is a newer version of the Framework Laptop 13 (2021). They're identical in design and features, as the newer model is only an internal spec upgrade to Intel 12th Gen. platform. Intel 12th Gen. processors perform significantly better than the 11th Gen., particularly in multi-threaded workloads; however, they consume more power, leading to a much shorter battery life on the 2022 model. The 2022 Framework Laptop also adds Wi-Fi 6E, which provides faster speeds, lower latency, and less signal interference, but you need a Wi-Fi 6E-capable router to benefit from these features.
The Framework Laptop 13 (2022) and the Dell XPS 13 (2021) are both premium ultraportable Windows laptops. The Dell provides a slightly better user experience overall with a brighter display, a more comfortable keyboard, a larger touchpad, and better-sounding speakers. It's also more portable and has longer battery life. However, the Framework has a better port selection, as its modular port system allows you to swap out the ports on the fly. The Framework is also easier to repair and upgrade, as its design allows for easy access, and all its components are replaceable, including the CPU, motherboard, and display.
Test Results
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