The Framework Laptop 13 Pro offers excellent modularity and Linux support but has poor speaker quality

The Framework Laptop 13 Pro is a highly modular, repairable 13-inch laptop designed with Linux-first compatibility. Powered by an Intel Core Ultra X9 388H processor and LPCAMM2 LPDDR5X memory, the laptop features a 30-120Hz matte touchscreen that reached 822 nits of peak brightness in testing, exceeding its 700-nit rating. It includes four fully customizable Thunderbolt 4 ports, a haptic trackpad, and a 1080p webcam with physical privacy switches. In performance benchmarks, the laptop's 74.45Wh battery lasted 14 hours and 9 minutes during a 1080p video playback test, recharging fully in 1.5 hours via the included 100W USB-C charger. Gaming tests at 1080p showed that while Windows 11 delivers superior frame rates—such as 55 FPS in Cyberpunk 2077 compared to 36 FPS on CachyOS—Linux gaming remains highly usable. However, the side-firing 2x 2W speakers delivered poor audio quality. The DIY kit tested is priced at $2,354 with 16GB of RAM, though memory shortages currently limit retail configurations.

Tech4K StaffVideo report

The Framework Laptop 13 Pro is a highly modular, repairable 13-inch laptop designed with Linux-first compatibility. Powered by an Intel Core Ultra X9 388H processor and LPCAMM2 LPDDR5X memory, the laptop features a 30-120Hz matte touchscreen that reached 822 nits of peak brightness in testing, exceeding its 700-nit rating. It includes four fully customizable Thunderbolt 4 ports, a haptic trackpad, and a 1080p webcam with physical privacy switches. In performance benchmarks, the laptop's 74.45Wh battery lasted 14 hours and 9 minutes during a 1080p video playback test, recharging fully in 1.5 hours via the included 100W USB-C charger. Gaming tests at 1080p showed that while Windows 11 delivers superior frame rates—such as 55 FPS in Cyberpunk 2077 compared to 36 FPS on CachyOS—Linux gaming remains highly usable. However, the side-firing 2x 2W speakers delivered poor audio quality. The DIY kit tested is priced at $2,354 with 16GB of RAM, though memory shortages currently limit retail configurations.

The Framework Laptop 13 Pro features an Intel Core Ultra X9 388H processor and supports up to 64GB of fast LPCAMM2 LPDDR5X memory. The 13-inch matte touchscreen supports a 30-120Hz variable refresh rate and achieved a peak brightness of 822 nits in testing.

In battery endurance testing, the laptop's 74.45Wh battery lasted 14 hours and 9 minutes during continuous 1080p video playback. Gaming benchmarks at 1080p showed Windows 11 outperforming CachyOS, yielding 55 FPS versus 36 FPS in Cyberpunk 2077.

The laptop features four fully modular expansion card slots that support Thunderbolt 4 connectivity on the Intel chipset. The side-firing dual 2W speakers were noted as a weak point, delivering poor audio quality during media playback.

Physical privacy switches are built into the bezel to completely disconnect the 1080p webcam and dual microphones.

Chapter guide

Unboxing and DIY KitDMS unboxes the Framework Laptop 13 Pro DIY kit and examines the included components.Chassis and Modular PortsA look at the aluminum chassis, haptic trackpad, and the four modular Thunderbolt 4 expansion ports.Internal Components and LPCAMM2DMS opens the laptop to inspect the motherboard, SSD storage, and the new LPCAMM2 memory module.Linux Installation and DisplayInstalling CachyOS via USB and evaluating the 120Hz matte touchscreen's brightness and color gamut.Sponsor - Plaud AIA sponsored segment showcasing the Plaud AI NotePin S wearable voice recorder and transcription tool.Battery Life and SpeakersTesting the 74.45Wh battery life, charging speed, and the performance of the side-firing speakers.Webcam and Privacy SwitchesTesting the 1080p webcam, microphone quality, and the physical hardware privacy switches.Gaming BenchmarksComparing 1080p gaming performance between CachyOS and Windows 11 across multiple titles.Conclusion and PricingFinal thoughts on the laptop's build quality, pricing, and comparison to other premium laptops.

Worth noting

  • Linus Sebastian (owner of Linus Media Group, which operates ShortCircuit) is an investor in Framework Computer, Inc.
  • The video contains a paid sponsorship for the Plaud AI NotePin S.
  • Due to global memory shortages, Framework is temporarily shipping these laptops with 16GB of RAM instead of the 64GB tested in this video.
  • Linux gaming benchmarks were conducted on CachyOS, and performance may vary across other Linux distributions or system configurations.

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