Framework Laptop 13 (2025) vs Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025): Which Laptop Is Better? - RTINGS.com

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Framework Laptop 13 (2025)

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025)

Tested using Methodology v0.9

Updated Jan 23, 2026 08:36 PM

Tested using Methodology v0.9

Updated Oct 31, 2025 08:00 PM

Framework Laptop 13 (2025) Picture

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025) Picture

Size 13.5"

Operating System Windows 11

Size 13.6"

Operating System macOS

Recommended in 9 articles:
Laptops
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6

Our Verdict

Framework Laptop 13 (2025)

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025)

The Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025) and the Framework Laptop 13 (2025) are ultraportable laptops with completely different approaches. The Framework is a modular Windows laptop where every part is replaceable and upgradeable, while the MacBook runs macOS and has all its components soldered down. The MacBook has a fanless design, so it's silent at all times, but it thermal throttles during long sessions. While the MacBook is a better machine to use, the Framework's modularity and repairability make it more flexible, and it's a great option if you support the right-to-repair movement.

Variants

Laptop 13 (Base) (Ryzen AI 5 340/16GB/256GB)
Laptop 13 (Extended Productivity) (Ryzen AI 5 340/16GB/512GB)

MacBook Air 13 (‎‎MW133LL/A) (Midnight - M4 (10-core CPU/10-core GPU)/16GB/512GB)
MacBook Air 13 (MC6C4LL/A) (Midnight - M4 (10-core CPU/10-core GPU)/24GB/512GB)

Review

See Framework Laptop 13 (2025) Review

See Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025) Review

Check Price

Main Differences for

General Productivity

Threshold

0.10

General Productivity

0.0

0.0

JOIN NOW to see main differences

Full Comparison

General Productivity

0.0

0.0

Multimedia

0.0

0.0

Gaming

0.0

0.0

Workstation

0.0

0.0

Design

Style

Style Photo

Framework Laptop 13 (2025) Style Photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025) Style Photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Form Factor

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Build Quality

N/A

N/A

Build Quality Photo

Framework Laptop 13 (2025) Build Quality Photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025) Build Quality Photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Show Text

Hinge

N/A

N/A

Hinge Photo

Framework Laptop 13 (2025) Hinge Photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025) Hinge Photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Range

Lock°

Lock°

Stability

Locked

Locked

One Finger Lift

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Portability

N/A

N/A

Dimensions Photo

Framework Laptop 13 (2025) Dimensions Photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025) Dimensions Photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Size

Lock"

Lock"

Thickness

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

Width

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

Depth

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

Volume

Lock in³ (Lock cm³)

Lock in³ (Lock cm³)

Weight

Lock lbs (Lock kg)

Lock lbs (Lock kg)

Charger Size

Lock in³ (Lock cm³)

Lock in³ (Lock cm³)

Charger Weight

Lock lbs (Lock kg)

Lock lbs (Lock kg)

Serviceability

N/A

N/A

Internals Photo

Framework Laptop 13 (2025) Internals Photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025) Internals Photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Ease Of Access

0.0

0.0

RAM Slots

Locked

Locked

Storage Slots

Locked

Locked

Replaceable Battery

Locked

Locked

Replaceable Wireless Adapter

Locked

Locked

Show Text

In The Box

In The Box Photo

Framework Laptop 13 (2025) In The Box Photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025) In The Box Photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Show Text

Display

Screen Specs

Display Photo

Framework Laptop 13 (2025) Display Photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025) Display Photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Resolution

Locked

Locked

Aspect Ratio

Locked

Locked

Pixel Density

Lock PPI

Lock PPI

Panel Type

Locked

Locked

Touch Screen

Locked

Locked

Screen-To-Body Ratio

Lock%

Lock%

Show Text

Refresh Rate

N/A

N/A

Motion Blur

Framework Laptop 13 (2025) Motion Blur Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025) Motion Blur Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Refresh Rate

Lock Hz

Lock Hz

Variable Refresh Rate

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Contrast

N/A

N/A

Contrast Photo

Framework Laptop 13 (2025) Contrast Photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025) Contrast Photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Native Contrast

Lock : 1

Lock : 1

Show Text

Brightness

N/A

N/A

Maximum Brightness

Lock cd/m²

Lock cd/m²

Minimum Brightness

Lock cd/m²

Lock cd/m²

Show Text

Reflections

N/A

N/A

Reflections Photo Off

Framework Laptop 13 (2025) Reflections Photo Off Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025) Reflections Photo Off Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Reflections Photo Max

Framework Laptop 13 (2025) Reflections Photo Max Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025) Reflections Photo Max Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Screen Finish

Locked

Locked

Total Reflections

Lock%

Lock%

Indirect Reflections

Lock%

Lock%

Calculated Direct Reflections

Lock%

Lock%

Show Text

Black Uniformity

N/A

N/A

Black Uniformity Photo

Framework Laptop 13 (2025) Black Uniformity Photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025) Black Uniformity Photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Uniformity (Std. Dev.)

Lock%

Lock%

Show Text

Out-Of-The-Box Color Accuracy

N/A

N/A

White Balance Screencap

Framework Laptop 13 (2025) White Balance Screencap Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025) White Balance Screencap Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Gamma Curve Screencap

Framework Laptop 13 (2025) Gamma Curve Screencap Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025) Gamma Curve Screencap Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Color Screencap

Framework Laptop 13 (2025) Color Screencap Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025) Color Screencap Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Avg. White Balance dE

Lock

Lock

Avg. Gamma

Lock

Lock

Avg. Color dE

Lock

Lock

Avg. Color Temperature

Lock K

Lock K

Show Text

Color Gamut

N/A

N/A

Gamut SDR

Framework Laptop 13 (2025) Gamut SDR Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025) Gamut SDR Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

sRGB xy

Lock%

Lock%

sRGB uv

Lock%

Lock%

Adobe RGB xy

Lock%

Lock%

Adobe RGB uv

Lock%

Lock%

Gamut HDR

Framework Laptop 13 (2025) Gamut HDR Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025) Gamut HDR Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

DCI-P3 xy

Lock%

Lock%

DCI-P3 uv

Lock%

Lock%

Rec. 2020 xy

Lock%

Lock%

Rec. 2020 uv

Lock%

Lock%

Show Text

Flicker

N/A

N/A

Flicker Graph

Framework Laptop 13 (2025) Flicker Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025) Flicker Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Flicker-Free

Locked

Locked

Flicker Frequency

Locked

Locked

Flicker Active Below

Lock%

Lock%

Show Text

Interface

Keyboard

N/A

N/A

Keyboard Photo

Framework Laptop 13 (2025) Keyboard Photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025) Keyboard Photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Typing Quality

0.0

0.0

Numpad

Locked

Locked

Backlighting

Locked

Locked

Key Switch Actuation Graph

Framework Laptop 13 (2025) Key Switch Actuation Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025) Key Switch Actuation Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Operating Force

Lock gf

Lock gf

Actuation Force

Lock gf

Lock gf

Pre-Travel

Lock mm

Lock mm

Total Travel

Lock mm

Lock mm

Show Text

Touchpad

N/A

N/A

Touchpad Photo

Framework Laptop 13 (2025) Touchpad Photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025) Touchpad Photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Tracking Quality

0.0

0.0

Size

Lock in² (Lock cm²)

Lock in² (Lock cm²)

Material

Locked

Locked

Dedicated Buttons

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Speakers

N/A

N/A

Frequency Response Plot

Framework Laptop 13 (2025) Frequency Response Plot Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025) Frequency Response Plot Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Max Volume

Lock dB SPL

Lock dB SPL

Standard Error @ Normal Vol. (65 dB)

Lock dB

Lock dB

Slope @ Normal Vol. (65 dB)

Lock

Lock

Bass Extension (Low-Frequency Ext.)

Lock Hz

Lock Hz

Treble Extension (High-Frequency Ext.)

Lock kHz

Lock kHz

Dynamic Range Compression @ Max Vol.

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Webcam & Microphone

N/A

N/A

Webcam Video Sample

Framework Laptop 13 (2025) Webcam Video Sample Sample

SAMPLE

for videos & test results

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025) Webcam Video Sample Sample

SAMPLE

for videos & test results

Video Quality

0.0

0.0

Resolution

Locked

Locked

Position

Locked

Locked

Privacy Cover

Locked

Locked

Face Unlock

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Connectivity

Ports

N/A

N/A

Ports Photo

Framework Laptop 13 (2025) Ports Photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025) Ports Photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

USB-A Ports

Locked

Locked

USB-C Ports

Locked

Locked

Thunderbolt

Locked

Locked

USB-C Charging

Locked

Locked

USB-C Display Out

Locked

Locked

HDMI

Locked

Locked

DisplayPort

Locked

Locked

3.5mm Jack

Locked

Locked

Card Reader

Locked

Locked

Ethernet

Locked

Locked

Proprietary Port

Locked

Locked

Security Lock

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Wireless Communication

Wi-Fi

Locked

Locked

Bluetooth

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Configuration

CPU

Brand

Locked

Locked

Model

Locked

Locked

Core Count

Lock

Lock

Thread Count

Lock

Lock

Show Text

GPU

Brand

Locked

Locked

Model

Locked

Locked

Dedicated/Integrated

Locked

Locked

VRAM Size

N/A

N/A

GPU Total Graphics Power (TGP)

N/A

N/A

Show Text

RAM

Capacity

Lock GB

Lock GB

Modules

Locked

Locked

Type

Locked

Locked

Speed

Lock MHz

Lock MHz

Show Text

Storage

Advertised Capacity

Lock GB

Lock GB

Usable Capacity

Lock GB

Lock GB

Drive 1

Locked

Locked

Drive 1 Type

Locked

Locked

Drive 2

Locked

Locked

Drive 2 Type

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Performance

CPU/RAM Performance

N/A

N/A

Cinebench 2024 - Single Core

Lock points

Lock points

Cinebench 2024 - Multi Core

Lock points

Lock points

Geekbench 6 - Single Core

Lock

Lock

Geekbench 6 - Multi Core

Lock

Lock

Blender - CPU (Avg)

Lock samples/min

Lock samples/min

PassMark PT - CPU Mark

Lock

Lock

PassMark PT - Memory Mark

Lock

Lock

PassMark PT - Memory Mark (Android)

N/A

N/A

Mozilla Kraken

Lock ms

Lock ms

Low Tier Graphics

N/A

N/A

Geekbench 6 - GPU Compute

Lock

Lock

Basemark Web 3.0

Lock

Lock

PassMark PT - 2D Mark

Lock

N/A

PassMark PT - 2D Mark (Android)

N/A

N/A

PassMark PT - 3D Mark

Lock

N/A

PassMark PT - 3D Mark (Android)

N/A

N/A

Novabench 5 - GPU

Lock

Lock

mprep - Stress My GPU

Lock

Lock

High Tier Graphics

N/A

N/A

3DMark - Steel Nomad (DX12)

Lock

N/A

3DMark - Steel Nomad (Vulkan/Metal)

Lock

Lock

Basemark GPU (DX12)

Lock

N/A

Basemark GPU (Vulkan/Metal)

Lock

Lock

GFXBench - High Level Test (Vulkan/Metal)

N/A

Lock Frames

Professional 3D (GPU Accelerated)

N/A

N/A

Blender - GPU (Avg)

Lock samples/min

Lock samples/min

Cinebench 2024 - GPU

N/A

Lock points

CPU-Intensive Game Performance

N/A

N/A

Civilization VII - AI

Lock s/turn

Lock s/turn

Civilization VII - Graphics (Avg)

Lock fps

Lock fps

Civilization VII - Graphics (1% Low)

Lock fps

Lock fps

Total War: Warhammer III (Avg)

Lock fps

Lock fps

Baldur's Gate 3 (Avg)

Lock fps

Lock fps

Baldur's Gate 3 (1% Low)

Lock fps

Lock fps

Previous Methodology Score

0.0

0.0

Previous Methodology Score Converted

0.0

0.0

GPU-Intensive Game Performance

N/A

N/A

Cyberpunk 2077 (Avg)

Lock fps

Lock fps

Cyberpunk 2077 (Min)

Lock fps

Lock fps

Assassin's Creed Shadows (Avg)

Lock fps

N/A

Assassin's Creed Shadows (1% Low)

Lock fps

N/A

GTA V (Avg)

Lock fps

N/A

GTA V (1% Low)

Lock fps

N/A

Black Myth: Wukong (Avg)

Lock fps

N/A

Black Myth: Wukong (5% Low)

Lock fps

N/A

Resident Evil 4 (Avg)

Lock fps

N/A

Resident Evil 4 (1% Low)

Lock fps

N/A

Previous Methodology Score

0.0

0.0

Previous Methodology Score Converted

0.0

0.0

Show Text

Ray Tracing Performance

N/A

N/A

Cyberpunk 2077 (Avg)

N/A

Lock fps

Cyberpunk 2077 (Min)

N/A

Lock fps

Assassin's Creed Shadows (Avg)

N/A

N/A

Assassin's Creed Shadows (1% Low)

N/A

N/A

Black Myth: Wukong (Avg)

Lock fps

N/A

Black Myth: Wukong (5% Low)

Lock fps

N/A

Storage Drive Performance

N/A

N/A

Sequential Write Speed

Lock MB/s

Lock MB/s

Sequential Read Speed

Lock MB/s

Lock MB/s

Random Write Speed

Lock MB/s

Lock MB/s

Random Read Speed

Lock MB/s

Lock MB/s

Battery

N/A

N/A

Capacity

Lock Wh

Lock Wh

Battery Life (Web Browsing)

Lock hrs

Lock hrs

Battery Life (Video Playback)

Lock hrs

Lock hrs

Battery Life (Gaming)

Lock hrs

Lock hrs

Charge Time

Lock hrs

Lock hrs

Thermals And Noise

N/A

N/A

Keyboard Temps Picture

Framework Laptop 13 (2025) Keyboard Temps Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025) Keyboard Temps Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Keyboard Temp While Idle

Lock °C (Lock °F)

Lock °C (Lock °F)

Keyboard Temp Under Load

Lock °C (Lock °F)

Lock °C (Lock °F)

Fan Noise While Idle

Lock dBA

N/A

Fan Noise Under Load

Lock dBA

N/A

Power & Fan Control App

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Performance Over Time

N/A

N/A

Performance Over Time Graph

Framework Laptop 13 (2025) Performance Over Time Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025) Performance Over Time Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

CPU Temp (Cinebench)

Lock °C

Lock °C

CPU Perf. Loss (Cinebench)

Lock% loss

Lock% loss

GPU Temp (Heaven)

Lock °C

Lock °C

GPU Perf. Loss (Heaven)

Lock% loss

Lock% loss

Additional Features And Software

Software

Operating System

Locked

Locked

Additional Software

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Extra Features

Biometrics

Locked

Locked

RGB Illumination

Locked

Locked

Touch Pen Support

Locked

Locked

Secondary Display

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Check Price

Framework Laptop 13 (2025)

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025)

Comments

Comparison

• Posted 8 months ago

Framework Laptop 13 (2025) vs Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4, 2025): Main Discussion

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