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 incredible choice for anybody constructing their first laptop computer or trying to department out from inventory laptops.
- Its modest {hardware} is greatest 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 high suggestions is the Framework Laptop 12, a modular, DIY 2-in-1 you may 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 the next diploma of customization than a inventory laptop computer. Along with the model’s standout colorways, distinctive construct, and good sturdiness, you may choose your personal {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 means, and that it is potential — straightforward, even — to shake up the established order.
But it surely’s not nearly customization; Framework’s laptops are designed for simple restore, with replaceable particular person parts contributing to gadget longevity, as a substitute 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 tips on how to exchange it as a part of Framework’s strong 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 gadgets, particularly those that aren’t essentially “laptop individuals” however do not wish to be bullied into shopping for a brand new gadget 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 worth, beginning at $549 for the DIY model with no working system (or $688 with Home windows).
When you select the DIY model, your laptop computer will come unassembled, which means you’ll need to place collectively the entire bodily parts, together with the reminiscence and storage, keyboard, and the entire enter/output ports. Additionally, you will want to put in your personal OS (which I will develop on shortly).
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So far as inner {hardware} goes, you may select between an i3-1315U or i5-1334U CPU, two Thirteenth-gen Intel Core processors designed for light-weight, power-efficient laptops geared in the direction of on a regular basis duties as a substitute of demanding, performance-driven workloads.
However, in case you do not wish to fiddle with assembling the laptop computer your self, you may 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.
When you go together with the pre-built, although, you will miss out on the cool colorways, that are solely obtainable within the DIY model.
Together with the processors, you may configure the Framework Laptop computer 12 with 8GB of RAM as much as 48GB (with added value, after all) and as much as a 2TB SSD. When you’ve got your personal, you may take away these parts from the invoice altogether, bringing the whole value 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 youths, college students, or as a journey gadget, with the added bonus of customization and the perks of a DIY method.
Out of the field, the Framework Laptop computer comes with all of the parts it is advisable 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 in case you’ve by no means put collectively a pc earlier than, I am assured you can assemble a Framework laptop computer.
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As soon as issues are up and working, the following step is putting in your chosen working system. When you went with Home windows, I like to recommend together with an Ethernet port among the many different ports you chose. That means, you may plug your laptop computer immediately 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 suggest 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 a giant 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 score 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 funds look — one thing I hope Framework can take a look at in future builds for a extra premium visible part.
That mentioned, it matches its meant use case as an ultraportable 2-in-1 for on a regular basis duties, particularly for youths or in an academic setting the place it could deal with a very good 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 received to round 10 hours of battery life with Wi-Fi on, however extra cautious energy administration will improve that quantity.
This places the laptop computer in related firm as gadgets like Lenovo’s 11-inch Chromebook Duet — one other extremely moveable 2-in-1 I like to recommend for college kids — however is half the worth and runs ChromeOS as a substitute of a full Home windows or Linux OS.
So, sure, there are many aggressive Home windows options across the identical worth 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 worth, speaks to an analogous 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 inexpensive beginning worth of $549 makes it a improbable choice for anybody trying to take their first steps away from inventory manufacturing facility laptops and/or the Home windows ecosystem.
Whereas its show is not precisely essentially the most premium, it is simply advantageous 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 gadget. When you’re searching for a DIY laptop computer with extra performance-driven {hardware}, try the Framework Laptop 13, or the Framework Laptop 16.
