ZDNET’s key takeaways
- The Framework Laptop computer 12 is a modular, DIY laptop computer you construct your self, beginning at $549.
- It is moveable, sturdy, and Linux-friendly, an awesome possibility for anybody constructing their first laptop computer or seeking to department out from inventory laptops.
- Its modest {hardware} is finest for on a regular basis duties, and its show is not essentially the most dazzling.
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There are a rising variety of succesful, budget-friendly Home windows options in 2025, however one in every of my prime suggestions is the Framework Laptop 12, a modular, DIY 2-in-1 you’ll be able to construct your self, supporting Linux or Home windows out of the field.
Regardless of which OS you select, Framework 12’s modular nature permits for a better diploma of customization than a inventory laptop computer. Along with the model’s standout colorways, distinctive construct, and good sturdiness, you’ll be able to choose your individual {hardware}, I/O ports, and even how they’re positioned on the chassis.
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This sort of sensible customization is on the coronary heart of Framework’s laptop computer design: difficult the notion that laptops “want” to be constructed a sure approach, and that it is potential — straightforward, even — to shake up the established order.
Nevertheless it’s not nearly customization; Framework’s laptops are designed for simple restore, with replaceable particular person parts contributing to machine longevity, as an alternative of “getting a brand new one” simply because your HDMI port is lifeless.
Every particular person half contained in the laptop computer is marked with a QR code that hyperlinks to an in depth video and/or How-To article describing how one can exchange it as a part of Framework’s sturdy library of assist content material.
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Accessible guides like these do rather a lot to empower customers to restore their very own units, particularly those that aren’t essentially “pc folks” however do not wish to be bullied into shopping for a brand new machine each few years simply because one thing breaks (or an working system stops being supported).
The Framework Laptop computer 12 is an ultraportable, extremely sturdy laptop computer with a singular construct and decrease to mid-range {hardware} for the value, beginning at $549 for the DIY model with no working system (or $688 with Home windows).
Should you select the DIY model, your laptop computer will come unassembled, which means you have to to place collectively all the bodily parts, together with the reminiscence and storage, keyboard, and all the enter/output ports. Additionally, you will want to put in your individual OS (which I will increase on shortly).
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So far as inside {hardware} goes, you’ll be able to select between an i3-1315U or i5-1334U CPU, two Thirteenth-gen Intel Core processors designed for light-weight, power-efficient laptops geared in direction of on a regular basis duties as an alternative of demanding, performance-driven workloads.
However, if you happen to do not wish to fiddle with assembling the laptop computer your self, you’ll be able to go for the pre-built mannequin, which is available in both the “Base” or the “Efficiency” configuration (aligning with the 2 processors listed above) and have the remainder of the {hardware} pre-selected — 8GB within the base, and 16GB within the efficiency.
Should you go together with the pre-built, although, you will miss out on the cool colorways, that are solely out there within the DIY model.
Together with the processors, you’ll be able to configure the Framework Laptop computer 12 with 8GB of RAM as much as 48GB (with added price, in fact) and as much as a 2TB SSD. When you have your individual, you’ll be able to take away these parts from the invoice altogether, bringing the entire price down.
The two-in-1 type issue is an added plus, permitting for much more use case flexibility, particularly with the stylus in pill mode or as a sensible leisure laptop computer in tent mode. In that sense, the Framework Laptop computer 12 makes for a sturdy, customizable laptop computer for teenagers, college students, or as a journey machine, with the added bonus of customization and the perks of a DIY strategy.
Out of the field, the Framework Laptop computer comes with all of the parts it’s essential to get your laptop computer began, and the beforehand talked about startup guides are very useful at breaking the method down into digestible steps. Even if you happen to’ve by no means put collectively a pc earlier than, I am assured you would assemble a Framework laptop computer.
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As soon as issues are up and working, the subsequent step is putting in your chosen working system. Should you went with Home windows, I like to recommend together with an Ethernet port among the many different ports you chose. That approach, you’ll be able to plug your laptop computer straight into your modem to put in and replace Home windows with out worrying about Wi-Fi drivers.
If you wish to set up Linux on the Framework Laptop computer 12, Framework has a library of installation guides for a number of distributions, together with Mint, NixOS, Fedora, and Ubuntu. I would advocate doing the analysis forward of time on which distro you need, and familiarizing your self with the fundamentals earlier than going contemporary on a model new laptop computer.
I am an enormous fan of the laptop computer’s bodily construct, which measures 11.3 inches and feels sturdy and utilitarian, however with a distinctly moveable physique. The MIL-STD-810 sturdiness ranking means it is resilient sufficient to deal with drops and bumps.
The 12-inch HD show is about common, though it does sit behind some relatively thick bezels that contribute to a barely extra price range look — one thing I hope Framework can have a look at in future builds for a extra premium visible element.
That mentioned, it matches its meant use case as an ultraportable 2-in-1 for on a regular basis duties, particularly for teenagers or in an academic setting the place it will possibly deal with an excellent quantity of contact.
The 50W battery’s longevity is sort of good. For regular use, it simply nets a full day’s value of labor on one cost. Throughout my testing, I acquired to round 10 hours of battery life with Wi-Fi on, however extra cautious energy administration will enhance that quantity.
This places the laptop computer in comparable firm as units like Lenovo’s 11-inch Chromebook Duet — one other extremely moveable 2-in-1 I like to recommend for college students — however is half the value and runs ChromeOS as an alternative of a full Home windows or Linux OS.
So, sure, there are many aggressive Home windows options across the identical value because the Framework Laptop computer 12. The Lenovo Chromebook Plus, for instance, is one in every of my favourite Chromebooks of this 12 months. Acer’s Chromebook Plus Spin 514, with the identical 2-in-1 type issue and $549 beginning value, speaks to an identical client.
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These inventory laptops could also be simpler to get began with out of the field, however the Framework Laptop computer 12 performs the lengthy recreation with straightforward repairability, extending its lifecycle, decreasing e-waste, and empowering the buyer within the course of.
ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation
The Framework Laptop 12 is a sturdy, moveable little laptop computer with a utilitarian construct. Its reasonably priced beginning value of $549 makes it a incredible possibility for anybody seeking to take their first steps away from inventory manufacturing unit laptops and/or the Home windows ecosystem.
Whereas its show is not precisely essentially the most premium, it is simply tremendous for its meant use case. The Framework Laptop computer 12 is essentially the most moveable, budget-friendly of the model’s lineup, with modest {hardware} for on a regular basis duties, college students, or as a secondary journey machine. Should you’re on the lookout for a DIY laptop computer with extra performance-driven {hardware}, take a look at the Framework Laptop 13, or the Framework Laptop 16.
