Kurumi writes

We build electronics that are easy to repair, last longer, and minimize environmental impact. (frame.work)

Having to buy a brand-new laptop just because some hardware components became obsolete has always frustrated me, so when I first heard about Framework Laptops, I was immediately drawn to their mission. The promise of a laptop that could be easily upgraded and repaired, rather than becoming obsolete after a few years, was incredibly appealing.

After much research, I decided to purchase the Framework Laptop 13 DIY Edition (AMD Ryzen™ 7040 Series). Over the past three months, I’ve used it daily, and in this post, I’ll share my experiences—from the initial DIY assembly to its performance in my daily life. Hope you enjoy my review!

Customization 💻

Here’s how I customized my Framework Laptop:

Component	Details
Laptop Model	Framework Laptop 13 DIY Edition (AMD Ryzen™ 7040 Series)
Processor	AMD Ryzen™ 7 7840U
Memory	32GB DDR5-5600 (1 x 32GB)
Storage	2TB WD_BLACK™ SN770 NVMe™ M.2 2280
Bezel	Red Framework Laptop 13 Bezel
Keyboard	Blank ISO Input Cover Kit with QMK firmware support2345
Expansion Cards	Two USB-C Expansion Cards, One USB-A Expansion Card, One HDMI Expansion Card
OS	Windows 11 Home

In total, it was $2,350.40 (CAD)¹ It’s 255,684 JPY as of Jan 4, 08:04 UTC when I ordered it in August 2024. I don’t think it’s overpriced, but for comparison, here’s a price list of the similar specs’ laptops:

• 14-inch Macbook Pro: $2,599.00 (CAD)
  • 10-Core CPU
  • 10-Core GPU
  • 24GB Unified Memory
  • 1TB SSD Storage
• Surface Pro, Copilot+ PC: $2,399.99 (CAD)
  • Snapdragon® X Elite (12 Core), with OLED display
  • 16GB RAM
  • 1TB SSD
• ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 Aura Edition (14ʺ Intel) Laptop: $3,449.00 (CAD)
  • Intel® Core™ Ultra 7 258V Processor
  • Memory: 32G LPDDR5x 8533MT/s soldered, dual channel
  • Up to 2TB PCIe Gen 5 SSD

Please note that my Framework Laptop does not have a GPU. While Framework Laptop 13 does not offer space for

Why I Chose These Specs👩‍💻

Memory

• I initially considered going for a higher specification.
• However, I decided on 32GB of DDR5-5600 memory for now because it is still possible to add more memory later (as the Framework Laptop 13 has two DDR5 SO-DIMM sockets for memory upgrades) or swap it for a better one, if my needs change.

Appearance

• The Framework Laptop also allows customizations for the appearance.
  • The bezel is a frame of the screen, and I opted for the Red bezel. 
  • While it’s worth noting that the color is more of a mix of orange and red than a pure red, I’m satisfied. 
  • Also, I decided to go with the Blank ISO Input Cover Kit.
    • I like using a blank keyboard because people think I’m like a super smart person as soon as they see it, haha. 
    • They support a variety of languages, and as far as looking at the online discussion here, the Japanese keyboard seems legit although I didn’t try (I live in Japan!)

OS

• You can install Ubuntu, Windows, or any other OS that you can get the driver. 
• I personally chose Windows and bought the license.
  • I wanted to have Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) for development

GPU

• Framework Laptop 13 cannot install GPU. I do not work on graphic-intensive activities, so this is fine for me.
• If you want a GPU, you can get Framework Laptop 16, and get this module: https://frame.work/products/16-graphics-module-amd-radeon-rx-7700s

When customizing your setup, it’s important to clearly define your use cases. For example, if you plan to play graphics-intensive games or edit videos, the Framework Laptop 16 with an added GPU module might be the better choice. Since I was certain I wouldn’t use this computer for gaming, I opted for the Framework Laptop 13. As for memory, I was unsure if I’d engage in memory-intensive tasks, like working on a large codebase in an IDE. To allow for flexibility, I decided to leave the second memory slot open for future upgrades.

For those who have built desktop PCs, customization might seem like a given. However, the fact that the level of customization previously only possible with desktops is now achievable with laptops feels like a true breakthrough of the era.

Initial Setup 🔩

The Framework Laptop 13 DIY Edition lives up to its name, requiring you to assemble it yourself. While the idea of building a laptop might seem daunting at first, the process was surprisingly straightforward.

A lot of people have asked me if I am a “geek” who likes to assemble computers. The answer is no, no, no. I had never assembled a computer before. However, the Framework team provides clear and concise step-by-step video tutorials, so I did not find the assembly process difficult. Rather than “assembling a computer”, it was more like “putting together a puzzle.” It took about 20 minutes, I remember. 

Daily Use and Performance 📈

I’ve been using the Framework Laptop 13 for three months everyday. Here’s my impressions:

• Web Browsing
  • The laptop handles web browsing without any issues. This is expected, as the AMD Ryzen™ 7 7840U processor is strong.
• Intensive Tasks
  • I have trained machine learning models (i.e., XGBoost and Random Forest) with tens of thousands of training data.
  • The models were trained successfully, but the fan’s sound was quite noticeable and the back of the computer got quite hot.
  • The air vent seems not enough and air gets stuck underneath as the laptop isn’t really elevated. My workaround for this is to use a laptop stand to make sure there’s space for air to flow.
  • 
• Gaming
  • I don’t use this laptop for gaming, so I can’t share insights here.

Modularity🧑‍🔧

Modularity is awesome; it literally gives me much more control over my device. For example, I once needed to work in a space where my charger couldn’t quite reach the outlet. Instead of moving furniture around, I simply swapped expansion cards, repositioning the USB-C port from right to left. Problem solved!

Here’s what my expansion kits look like now. You can see that both sides now have the charging port (USB-C). This is much more convenient for me.

Availability in Japan 🗼

Unfortunately, Framework does not currently ship to Japan. (The laptops are assembled in Taiwan though! ²https://frame.work/blog/manufacturing-starts-on-the-new-framework-laptop-in-taiwan) I purchased my laptop while in Canada, but this blog post seems to outline how to order one from Japan.

🎉Good news: the Framework Laptop is Giteki certified, meaning it’s legal to use in Japan! You can find the logo and the numbers on a slot for an expansion card:

I really hope they start delivery to Japan soon.

Overall Impressions

After three months with the Framework Laptop 13, I’m thoroughly happy with my Framework Laptop.

• Beginner-Friendly – Assembling the laptop was way easier than I expected
• Customizability – I’m happy that I can upgrade my memory and etc. when I need it. No need for disposal of the entire computer.
• A breakthrough of the era! – It feels like the dawn of a new age, bringing the level of customization common with desktops to laptops!

I believe the Framework Laptop is far better than any other laptops I have used. While it’s not perfect, it offers significant advantages. As mentioned earlier, I have encountered notable drawbacks, such as heat issues and fan noise during intensive tasks. However, they are not critical in my daily use, and therefore, I’ve never felt the need to give into your causes or fix them right away. Overall, the benefits of modularity and repairability outweigh these drawbacks, and I’m satisfied.

That said, this highlights another potential drawback: the flexibility of the Framework Laptop can make troubleshooting more complex. Performance issues may arise from different configurations, and identifying the root cause can be challenging. For example, thermal performance might vary based on your chosen components or settings, and you may need to use tools like HWMonitor (Windows) to monitor system performance or turn to the active Framework community forums for guidance.

Personally, I find this manageable, but I recognize that for some, this might feel overwhelming. I would recommend the Framework Laptop to those who are looking for an easily customizable laptop alternative and ready to take on the challenge of assembling one themselves. If your priority is a ready-to-use laptop for general purposes, this might not be the best choice. Then, you will not be able to fix your own stuff though.

So, if you’re ready to break away from disposable electronics, and have some familiarity with computers, the Framework Laptop is the perfect choice!

I hope you enjoyed reading my Framework Laptop 13 review.