Framework Laptop 13 (2023)
Framework Laptop 13 (2023)
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GENERAL USE: Very Good—8.7/10
GAMING/AI: Fair—6.7/10
ENG/DESIGN: Very Good—8.2/10
SOFTWARE DEV: Very Good—8.5/10
CONTENT CREATION: Very Good—8.4/10
PORTABILITY: Very Good—8.8/10
BATTERY: Good—7.7/10
OVERALL SCREEN QUALITY: Good—7.5/10
OVERALL PERFORMANCE: Very Good—8.4/10
SIZE: 13.5"
The Framework Laptop 13 (2023) offers ample storage and high RAM, paired with an Intel i7 processor and integrated Iris Xe graphics, making it suitable for demanding applications and multitasking. Its 13.5-inch IPS display with a 3:2 aspect ratio and high resolution provides sharp visuals but lacks a touchscreen. While not specifically engineered for gaming, its good general performance still allows for casual gaming. The device has a moderate battery life, is lightweight, and offers good portability. It has a premium build, a backlit keyboard, fingerprint reader, and is known for being repairable and customizable, with available RAM and storage slots for upgrades. The laptop is pre-installed with Windows 11 Pro and scores well in heat management and build quality. The port selection is versatile, including USB-C with Thunderbolt 4. It lacks a dedicated number pad and hardware ray tracing, indicating it's not primarily a gaming system but is very capable for engineering and general use. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Evaluation
Pros
- Highly repairable and customizable
- Good performance for general use
- Portable and lightweight
- Backlit keyboard included
Cons
- Not marketed as premium business laptop
- Average battery life
- Integrated GPU may limit certain tasks
- Limited color accuracy on screen
Ratings by Category
Portability:4.7
PerfectRec’s portability rating takes into account the volume and thickness of the laptop as well as its weight.
General Use:4.6
The Framework Laptop 13 (2023) excels for general use with its powerful Intel i7 processor and substantial 32GB of RAM, enabling smooth multitasking and fast application performance. It's also highly portable due to its light weight and compact dimensions, and the 8.5-hour battery life coupled with a high-resolution IPS screen makes for a solid combination of mobility and visual quality.
Software Development:4.6
PerfectRec’s Software Development Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for software development.
In addition to a strong emphasis on overall performance, this score also places very high importance on screen quality. Heat management, storage, keyboard and speaker quality are also incorporated, with fan noise rounding out this score.
Keyboard Quality:4.6
The Keyboard Quality score is based on the PerfectRec experts’ assessment of tactile feedback, typing comfort, keyboard reliability and typing noise.
Engineering & Design:4.5
The Framework Laptop 13 (2023) excels for engineering and design use with its high-performance CPU, substantial RAM, capable integrated graphics, and a high-quality IPS screen that provides good color coverage and brightness. While being quite portable, its above-average battery life also supports mobility for such demanding tasks.
Content Creation:4.5
PerfectRec’s Content Creation Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for photo editing, and video editing work.
In addition to a strong emphasis on overall performance, this score also places very high importance on screen quality. Heat management, storage, keyboard and speaker quality are also incorporated, with fan noise rounding out this score.
Battery Life:4.3
PerfectRec’s Battery Life rating is based on hours of battery life in typical usage scenarios.
General Use Screen Quality:4.3
The general use screen score is based on the screen technology, contrast ratio, resolution, brightness, color gamut and color accuracy. This score does not take into account specialized display features for specific use cases, such as high refresh rate for gaming.
Build Quality:4.3
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, chassis rigidity, and overall reliability.
Our assessment of build quality includes many details that are difficult to quantify.
Our laptop experts use their best judgment to produce the final score.
Operating Noise:4.2
PerfectRec’s Operating Noise Score is based on fan noise measurements. Laptops with a fanless design, such as Macbooks, receive the maximum score.
Gaming & AI:3.8
The Framework Laptop 13 (2023) is equipped with an Intel Iris Xe GPU which, though integrated, can handle many gaming and 3D tasks effectively. Its screen offers a solid IPS panel with a decent resolution, providing a clear and vivid display for gaming visuals, but a standard 60Hz refresh rate which may not be ideal for high-end gaming where higher refresh rates are preferred.
Full Specs
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
| Price | $2,099 | ||
Release Date | May 1, 2023 | ||
Overall Dimensions | 11.7'' x 9'' x 0.62'' | ||
Weight | 2.95 lbs | ||
Width | 11.7" | ||
Depth | 9.01" | ||
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | Intel i7-1370P | ||
RAM | 32 GB | ||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | ||
RAM Slots | 2 | ||
Storage | 1024 GB | ||
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | 8.5 Hours | ||
Battery Capacity | 61 Wh | ||
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | 13.5" | ||
Display Technology | IPS | ||
Resolution | 2256 x 1504 | ||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | ||
Display Brightness | 472 nits | ||
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score  | 7.8/10 | ||
Portability Score | 8.8/10 | ||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | ||
Premium Business Laptop | No | ||
Fan Noise Score | 7.5/10 | ||
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | 8.5/10 | ||
Speaker Quality Score | 8/10 | ||
Webcam | 1080p | ||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | ||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | ||
Number Pad | No | ||
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | 1 | ||
USB-C ports | 2 | ||
USB-C Charging | Yes | ||
Display Outputs | 2 | ||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | ||
Framework Laptop 13 (2023)
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Dig into reviews and images
Wired
Scott Gilbertson | July 2023
"If you’re thinking of investing in your first Framework, now is the time. The kinks and rough edges have all been smoothed out and this is a very nice machine with a bright, upgradable future. The only reason I can think of to wait is the AMD model, which I’ll be sure to test as soon as I can get my hands on one."
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