Video summary

I Wanted to Love the Framework 13 Pro...

Main summary

Key takeaways

Product Review

Framework 13 Pro — key points from the video

Overall positioning

  • Reviewers were initially very excited because the Framework 13 Pro “solves a lot of the issues” they had with prior Framework 13 models.
  • It’s positioned as a more mainstream-appealing, premium-feeling Framework laptop, with standout modularity as its core differentiator.

Main features highlighted

Build, design, and feel

  • More premium chassis than the previous Framework 13:
    • Looks/feels better built with less flex around the keyboard deck and lid
    • New sleek black color
      • Silver was more fingerprint-resistant; black picks up fingerprints (but less than some competitors like the Blade 16)
    • Sharper/front edge can be noticeable when resting wrists without arm support (e.g., on planes/trains)
  • Slight trade-off:
    • Heavier than most 13-inch laptops, though the increase is described as minimal for the size.

Input

  • New haptic trackpad
    • Smooth, accurate tracking
    • No palm rejection issues (rare on Windows laptops, per reviewers)
    • Click feedback is soft/minimal by default; you can tune it
      • Preferences differ: one reviewer likes more click, another prefers less resistance

Display

  • Same base panel characteristics are emphasized, with improvements:
    • 13.5” 2880×1920 IPS, 3:2
    • 120 Hz variable refresh rate
    • Now brighter and includes touchscreen
  • Main downside to touch:
    • Screen-door effect due to the coating (more visible on white content with colored pixels peeking through)
    • Otherwise the matte/non-reflective panel is considered a plus
  • Strong praise:
    • Reviewers call it one of the best screens they’ve seen
    • Brightness + resolution + aspect ratio make it great for coding and spreadsheets (more visible lines/rows than expected)

Ports (major selling point)

  • Called “best in the entire industry”:
    • Four hot-swappable ports
    • Wide variety of options mentioned (e.g., full-size or microSD reader, 10Gb Ethernet, DisplayPort, HDMI, etc.)
    • Headphone jack always included (doesn’t consume a port slot)
  • Mechanism change:
    • Port release changed from button to switch
      • red = unlocked, black = locked
    • Locking isn’t clearly better/worse than last year, but leaving ports unlocked can cause occasional issues (port detaching due to the charger)
  • Missing capability:
    • No Thunderbolt 5, but all ports support up to Thunderbolt 4 speeds
    • Supports 140W USB-C charging

Performance & thermals (Intel Series 3 emphasis)

Config options / what to buy

  • Recommended value config:
    • Intel Ultra 5 + 16GB RAM prebuilt around $1,600
    • Includes the laptop’s “premium features”
  • Alternatives:
    • AMD option: described as more expensive and worse battery life
    • Intel Ultra 7 / X7 config:
      • Best performance option, around $2,900
      • Still constrained by power limits for battery/thermals
  • Benchmarks and comparisons (numbers mentioned):
    • X7 vs Ryzen 7
      • ~16% better Geekbench multi-core
      • Single-core around the same
    • Cinebench
      • ~27% improvement vs last year’s AMD Framework chassis
  • Power limit concern:
    • Framework power limit: 30W sustained (~35W average with bursts)
    • Compared to others:
      • ThinkPad X1/P915P feeds the same CPU about 15W more and performs better
      • Some HP Omnibook Ultra configurations don’t feed enough power, so they don’t beat Framework much

Cooling behavior

  • Biggest limitation:
    • Framework keeps single-fan cooling like prior years
    • Core temps get very high under intensive loads (e.g., Cinebench), too hot for lap comfort
  • Positive nuance:
    • Intel 13 Pro runs fans lower/quieter than competitors
    • With tuning (Framework Control), raising fans earlier:
      • laptop gets louder
      • only slightly cooler
      • no real performance improvement
  • Performance-by-workload feel:
    • Not-maxed-out tasks: “almost dead silent,” mildly warm at most
    • Heavy workloads: stays warm/hot despite fan curve tweaking

Gaming & creator workload outcomes

Gaming

  • Intel iGPU gaming is described as:
    • Better than the AMD model (expected due to the stronger B390 iGPU)
    • Still not competitive with higher-power gaming laptops
  • Comparison:
    • vs Omnibook at ~30W: Omnibook “consistently performs better”
  • Real-world examples:
    • Cyberpunk: “barely playable”
    • Forza: doesn’t do great even at lower resolutions
  • Recommendation:
    • Stick to lighter titles / lower settings

Creator tasks

  • Not recommended as a creator laptop:
    • Smaller screen + underwhelming hardware performance for the price
    • MacBook Air outperforms it in editing (even Photoshop mentioned)
  • But not useless:
    • Reviewers used it for simpler Premiere Pro work by lowering playback resolution; still “far from ideal”

Battery life (major pro)

  • Battery claims by Framework:
    • 20 hours streaming
    • 17 hours active web usage
    • 11 hours video conferencing
  • Real test result:
    • Office tasks until empty at 300 nits
    • Actual: ~15.5 hours (described as strong / closer to claims than expected)
  • Why it likely does well:
    • Battery is about 10W bigger than prior years
    • Intel Series 3 efficiency
    • VRR down to 30 Hz helps
  • Interesting anecdote:
    • Even when accidentally using best performance mode instead of power efficiency mode, it still hit ~13 hours
  • Limitation:
    • Under sustained loads it can still underperform vs some competitors (notably ThinkPad), but it throttles less than expected

Audio, webcam, and Linux experience

Speakers

  • Improved compared to earlier Framework models:
    • Now sidefiring instead of downward firing
    • Louder/clearer
  • Still a con:
    • Not as good as other premium laptops, but “good enough” and not disappointing

Webcam

  • Has a privacy shutter for camera + mic
  • No IR for Windows Hello; uses fingerprint scanner in power button instead
  • Verdict: OK, but other webcams at this price are better

Linux (Ubuntu 26.04)

  • Full install of Ubuntu 26.04 using Framework + Ubuntu instructions:
    • “Everything worked” including brightness, keyboard/backlight, haptic trackpad, touchscreen, Wi‑Fi/Bluetooth
  • Issue encountered:
    • While recording webcam video, the camera app crashes, with some driver-related errors
  • Conclusion:
    • Even with Ubuntu certification, it’s not fully plug-and-play out of the box due to the webcam/camera-recording crash

Price / value & overall recommendation

Biggest con: price hikes

  • Despite big improvements, recent price hikes make it still really expensive
  • Framed as a luxury device for techies, not a mainstream buy

“Who should buy it” guidance and comparisons

  • Reviewers call it:
    • “The best framework laptop by a mile”
    • Worth the extra cost if you value what Framework uniquely offers
  • Competitors mentioned:
    • ThinkPad X1 / X915P
      • better performance
      • feels cooler during performance tasks
      • larger screen
    • MacBook Pro 14
      • more premium feel
      • significantly better performance (reviewers mention getting M5 Pro at the stated price point)

Clear personal purchasing stance

  • Reviewer split:
    • Josh: would buy the MacBook Pro 14
    • Seth: would buy the ThinkPad X915P
    • Main reviewer: would still buy the Framework, likely the DIY version with 16GB RAM
      • The 32GB version is said to be way too expensive after price increases

Unique points mentioned (consolidated list)

  1. Premiumer feel than previous Framework 13; less flex; improved build.
  2. New black chassis looks better; fingerprints are a new downside but not as bad as some competitors.
  3. Slightly heavier than typical 13-inch laptops; still bulkier than XPS 13.
  4. Keyboard deck front edge slightly sharp; noticeable only without arm support.
  5. Ports look more cohesive in black.
  6. Keyboard comfort praised; 1.5 mm key travel; quieter than Lenovo (preferences differ on key resistance).
  7. Option to keep original right control key layout (copilot key replacement on many laptops).
  8. New haptic trackpad is accurate and palm-rejection friendly; click feel can be tuned.
  9. Display: 13.5” 2880×1920 3:2, 120Hz VRR; brighter and touchscreen added.
  10. Touchscreen introduces screen-door effect from coating, especially on white content; matte panel otherwise preferred.
  11. Ports are a standout: 4 hot-swappable, lots of options including 10Gb Ethernet; headphone jack always present.
  12. Port unlock mechanism changed to switch with red/black indicators; leaving unlocked can cause occasional detachment issues.
  13. No Thunderbolt 5, but still TB4 and 140W USB-C charging.
  14. CPU/choice guidance: Ultra 5 16GB (~$1600) recommended; AMD more expensive and worse battery.
  15. X7 vs Ryzen 7: ~16% Geekbench multi-core better; single-core similar.
  16. Cinebench: ~27% improvement vs last year’s AMD chassis.
  17. Power limit: 30W sustained (~35W burst average) holds performance back.
  18. Thermals: single fan; very high temps under Cinebench; too hot for lap comfort.
  19. Intel version is quieter than competitors; tuning increases noise with little cooling/perf gain.
  20. Under light tasks: nearly silent and stays only slightly warm.
  21. Gaming: better than AMD but still not competitive; Cyberpunk barely playable; Forza not great.
  22. Creator work: not ideal; MacBook Air beats it in editing (Premiere/Photoshop).
  23. Battery: strong; office-test ~15.5 hours at 300 nits; close to claimed specs.
  24. Battery advantage due to larger battery, Intel efficiency, and VRR down to 30Hz.
  25. Speakers improved (sidefiring; louder/clearer) but still below other premium laptops.
  26. Webcam: privacy shutter; no IR for Windows Hello; webcam quality only “okay.”
  27. Linux: Ubuntu 26.04 works well overall, but webcam recording causes crashes/driver errors.
  28. Pricing: despite improvements, price hikes make it expensive; more luxury than mainstream.

Speaker-specific views (end)

  • Josh
    • Prefers less resistance on trackpad clicks and keyboard feel
    • Says the display is among the best he’s ever seen
    • Would personally buy the MacBook Pro 14
  • Seth
    • Would personally buy the ThinkPad X915P for better performance and cooler performance
  • Main reviewer (overall voice)
    • Prefers the Framework (especially the DIY 16GB version before price rises)
    • Calls Framework 13 Pro innovative and best Framework by a mile, but not for everyone due to price, thermals, and creator/gaming limitations

Concise verdict / recommendation

Buy the Framework 13 Pro if you strongly value modularity, upgradeability, excellent port selection, and top-tier display/battery—and you can accept higher cost and weaker sustained-performance thermals.

If you mainly want raw performance (gaming/creator work) or the best competitive value, the ThinkPad X915P and MacBook Pro 14 are better choices.

Original video