Framework Laptop 13 Pro: The 'MacBook Pro for Linux Users' Has Landed

What's new: A complete redesign

The Framework Laptop 13 Pro moves away from the extruded-aluminum look of previous models. It's the first Framework laptop built from a solid block of CNC-machined 6063 aluminum, available in anodized black or silver .

Key changes include:

• Processors: Intel Core Ultra Series 3 (Panther Lake) on the Intel 18A node, or AMD Ryzen AI 300 series .
• Display: A custom 13.5-inch 3:2 IPS touchscreen at 2880×1920, with a 30–120 Hz variable refresh rate, 700 nits brightness, and factory color calibration .
• Touchpad: Framework's first haptic touchpad, replacing the mechanical trackpad of earlier models .
• Battery: A 74 Wh unit — 22% larger than the previous 61 Wh. Framework claims over 20 hours of Netflix 4K streaming, and the battery is rated for 1,000 charge cycles to 80% capacity .
• Memory & Storage: Modular LPCAMM2 LPDDR5X memory (upgradeable to 96 GB) and a PCIe Gen 5 SSD (up to 8 TB) .
• Ports: Four expansion card slots (USB-C/Thunderbolt 4), 3.5 mm headphone jack, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 .
• Weight: 1.4 kg (3.17 lbs) .

Ubuntu certification and Linux-first focus

This is the first Framework laptop to receive official Ubuntu certification, meaning it ships with Canonical's guarantee of hardware compatibility out of the box. Framework also supports firmware updates via LVFS (Linux Vendor Firmware Service) and has contributed patches upstream. Pre-orders of Ubuntu-preloaded configurations outsold Windows versions early on .

Pricing: DIY vs. pre-built

Framework continues its two-tier sales model:

Note: DIY Editions ship without RAM, storage, or an OS. You supply those yourself. The original starting price for a pre-built Intel system was $1,499, but that increased to $1,599 after memory cost adjustments .

Shipping delays and the touchpad problem

Originally slated for June 2026, first-batch shipments were delayed by about a month. Framework disclosed two manufacturing issues: a grounding problem in the haptic touchpad circuit and a display firmware bug .

Framework aimed to begin Batch 1 shipments by the end of July, with some deliveries slipping into early August. As compensation, customers who ordered a 500 GB SSD configuration were upgraded to 1 TB at a lower price .

The 'RAMageddon' cost crunch

Just before shipping, Framework announced that its LPCAMM2 memory supplier had more than doubled costs. This forced the company to adjust configurations and pricing for new orders. The Verge called it "RAMageddon," noting that a higher-end review unit that was meant to cost $2,299 was now priced at $3,099 after the increases .

The base pre-built Intel configuration went from $1,499 to $1,599. Framework said it would honor existing pre-orders at the original price, but new orders faced the higher rates .

Critical reception: High praise, real caveats

Reviewers largely agree: the Framework Laptop 13 Pro is the most refined laptop the company has ever built. The praise centers on the build quality, display, and the haptic trackpad, which several outlets call the best non-Apple trackpad available .

• The Verge called it "my new favorite laptop," praising the haptic trackpad as "the best not made by Apple" and the build as "impeccable" — but flagged the RAM pricing as a major drawback .
• ZDNet said it has "the most crowd appeal of any Framework device to date" with a dramatically sleeker design, and highlighted its Linux-first approach as a standout .
• Tom's Hardware titled their review "It cleans up nice," noting strong performance from the Intel Core Ultra Series 3 and excellent build quality .
• PCWorld described it as "a legitimate Windows threat" and said the DIY Edition is easy to build, though supply issues remain a pain point .
• TechRadar reported community reception as "genuinely stellar" aside from the RAM cost shock .

The bottom line

The Framework Laptop 13 Pro delivers on its promise of a premium, repairable, Linux-first machine with strong battery life, a great display, and a build quality that finally rivals the MacBook Pro. The shipping delays and the LPCAMM2 price volatility, however, are real frustrations — especially the sudden "RAMageddon" that raised costs at the last minute. If you're a developer or power user who values long-term ownership and modularity, the DIY Edition at $1,199 remains an excellent value, assuming you can stomach the current memory-market uncertainty.