When deciding between the Framework Laptop 16 and the LG Ultra 13, consider that the Framework tends to offer more power and upgradeability, which is excellent for demanding tasks and future-proofing but comes at a higher cost and may have reduced battery life compared to the LG Ultra 13. The LG, on the other hand, is more budget-friendly and lightweight, making it suitable for everyday use and travel, but it may not handle intensive applications as well and typically won't be as customizable as the Framework. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Framework Laptop 16 (2023)
Very good for general use
Very good for engineering and design
Very good for software development
Very good for content creation
Very good overall display quality
Very good overall build quality
Best in class speakers
Very good keyboard
Advantages of the LG Ultra 13
Excellent portability
Very good battery life
Key differences
General Use
8.0/10
7.2/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
490.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
300.0 nits
9.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
10.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
7.3/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.3/10
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) is very good for general use, while the LG Ultra 13 is good.
The Framework Laptop 16, with its higher-end CPU and RAM, offers better performance for multitasking and demanding applications, coupled with a larger, higher-quality screen suited for productivity and entertainment, but it's less portable and has shorter battery life compared to the LG Ultra 13. The LG Ultra 13, while still delivering satisfactory performance for everyday tasks through its capable CPU and sufficient RAM, excels in portability and longer battery life, making it ideal for on-the-go use, albeit with a smaller screen.
Gaming and AI
6.8/10
6.1/10
4.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.0/10
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) and LG Ultra 13 are both only fair for gaming and AI, though the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) is somewhat better.
The Framework Laptop 16, with its dedicated GPU and higher screen refresh rate, provides smoother visuals for gaming and 3D applications compared to the LG Ultra 13, which, while offering decent performance with its CPU, might not match up due to a presumably weaker integrated graphics solution and lower refresh rate. However, the LG Ultra 13 might compensate with a better screen quality offering sharper and more vibrant images, which is also beneficial for these activities, but doesn't outweigh the importance of frame rates in gaming and 3D tasks.
Engineering and Design
8.1/10
6.6/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.7/10
4.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) is very good for engineering and design, while the LG Ultra 13 is only fair.
The Framework Laptop 16 offers high processing power and ample memory, making it suitable for demanding engineering applications, and its high-quality screen and GPU are excellent for design work, but it's less portable than the LG Ultra 13. The LG Ultra 13, while also good for engineering and design due to its capable CPU and RAM, trades off some performance for increased portability, and its screen quality is competitive, though it may fall short in GPU performance for the most intensive tasks.
Content Creation
8.1/10
7.2/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.7/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) is very good for content creation, while the LG Ultra 13 is good.
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, video editing and other content creation tasks.
Software Development
8.0/10
7.2/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.7/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) is very good for software development, while the LG Ultra 13 is good.
PerfectRec’s Software Development Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for software developers.
Screen Quality
8.4/10
6.9/10
16.0in
SIZE
13.3in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
490.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
300.0 nits
The Framework Laptop 16 has a better screen than the LG Ultra 13 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
If you prioritize sharp visuals and comfortable viewing for tasks like web browsing or document editing, the Framework Laptop 16's higher resolution and bright display make it superior for general use. When it comes to engineering and design work where accurate colors are crucial, the same laptop offers broader color coverage, making it better for professional color grading or graphic design. However, for activities that demand smooth motion, like gaming or animation, the lower refresh rate on both laptops might not suit fast-paced visuals as well as models specifically designed with higher refresh rates for these purposes.
Portability
Good
Excellent
16.0in
SIZE
13.3in
4.6 lbs
WEIGHT
2.1 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The LG Ultra 13 has excellent portability, while the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
8.0/10
7.4/10
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) has very good build quality, while the LG Ultra 13 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,699
$529
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) has a price of $1,699 and the LG Ultra 13 costs $529.
"The trend towards thinner and lighter laptops is made possible by fusing more and more components onto the mainboard. The main drawback to this approach is that it limits repairability as even a small fault may require replacing entire boards. Framework is one of the only manufacturers looking the other way in an attempt to improve end-user customization and servicing. There's no question that the Laptop 16 is more user-friendly to service than any alternative, but this lucrative feature comes at the cost of size and weight as individual components must be easily replaceable."
"The 13.3-inch LG Gram is a fine fit if you need to travel as light as possible for as long as possible without spending a fortune to do it. It might not be particularly sturdy or have an eye-catching design and its webcam is less than ideal, but with its sharp touch display, comfortable backlit keyboard, responsive touchpad and a fingerprint reader for extra security, the Gram makes a respectible everyday laptop for business or school work."
Get a great deal on the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) or the LG Ultra 13
About Framework
Framework is a new American laptop manufacturer, specializing in modular and repairable laptops with the goals of promoting longevity and reducing electronic waste. They are a strong proponent of the right to repair movement. Framework laptops have replaceable RAM, storage, ports, keyboards, display bezels, mainboards, and more, making them a great choice for repairability-oriented individuals.
About LG
LG is a South Korean conglomerate company. While LG is mainly known for various products outside of technology, LG also develops laptops. Within the laptop industry, they are known for their thin-and-light Gram series, as well as their value-oriented Ultra series. LG laptops offer very thin and light laptops with phenomenal battery life, and are often on sale.
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec laptops team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest laptop information and makes it digestible for you.
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