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Framework Laptop 12 Review: Fun, Versatile, and Easy to Repair

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The newest addition to the modular and repairable PC lineup from Framework ventures into the challenging realm of 2-in-1 devices with an engaging 12-inch laptop featuring a touchscreen and a 360-degree hinge.

This latest model supports the company’s innovative expansion cards that allow for various port configurations on the sides, aligning with the Framework 13 and 16 offerings. Additionally, it can be easily opened to access and replace memory, storage, and internal components using just a few screws.

The Framework 12 is available in a DIY configuration starting at £499 (€569/$549/$909). It slots in below the £799-and-up laptop 13 and the £1,399 laptop 16, making it the most compact and affordable option from the company.

Compact notebooks come in a variety of two-tone color options, not limited to just grey and black. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

While the laptop 13 exudes a premium look, the laptop 12 stands out with its robust build, featuring extra plastic components for enhanced impact resistance. It is designed to comply with the MIL-STD-810 standard, typical for rugged electronics. Rather than appearing as a flimsy DIY assembly, it presents a sturdy impression.

The glossy 12.2-inch display is bright and relatively sharp, though it is quite reflective, framed by a sizable black bezel that limits color range compared to more vibrant displays. It’s adequate for productivity tasks, but not the best choice for photo editing. The touchscreen can pivot back, converting the laptop into a tablet, tent mode, or managed parallel to the keyboard. It supports a wide variety of first and third-party styluses for drawing and note-taking, which is a great asset in educational settings.

The DIY version offers a vibrant selection of colors, enhancing its appeal for students. The 1080p webcam positioned at the top is decent but doesn’t compare to higher-end models, alongside a physical privacy switch among the microphones. The stereo speakers deliver a loud and clear sound, although they lack deep bass.

The keyboard is well-spaced, relatively quiet, and quite comfortable for typing, though it lacks backlighting. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

Weighing in at 1.3kg, the laptop 12 is not ultra-light, but its compact design allows it to fit easily into bags and snug spaces. The ample mechanical trackpad is responsive and functions well. However, the laptop lacks fingerprint or facial recognition, requiring a PIN or password entry each time it opens or when accessing secure applications like password managers.

Specifications

  • Screen: 12.2in LCD 1920×1200 (60Hz; 186ppi)

  • Processor: Intel Core i3 or i5 (U Series, 13th Gen)

  • RAM: 8 or 16GB (up to 48GB)

  • Storage: 512GB (up to 2TB)

  • Operating System: Windows 11 or Linux

  • Camera: 1080p front

  • Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6e, Bluetooth 5.3, Headphone jack + 4 port selection: USB-C, USB-A, HDMI, DisplayPort, Ethernet, MicroSD, SD

  • Size: 287 x 213.9 x 18.5mm

  • Weight: 1.3kg

Modular Ports and Performance

The expansion module can be swapped at any time by sliding it into the socket beneath the laptop. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

The Laptop 12 offers two options for Intel 13th Generation U-Series processors, featuring a power-efficient chip from previous years. In testing with the mid-range i5-1334U, it may not have set raw performance records, but it handled tasks beyond basic computing without issues. For everyday tasks, it feels responsive, but struggles with more demanding applications like video conversion.

Due to the older chip, battery life tends to be on the lower end of 2025 standards, lasting around 7-8 hours with light office applications such as browsers, word processors, note-taking apps, and emails. Using more intensive applications can reduce that time significantly. The battery can be fully charged in about 100 minutes using a USB-C power adapter rated at 60W or more.

You can install four expansion cards simultaneously, and swap them in and out without needing to power off the laptop. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

Port selection is highly customizable, featuring a fixed headphone jack and four expansion card slots. Available options include USB-A and USB-C, HDMI, DisplayPort, as well as MicroSD and SD card readers. Other cards can add storage of up to 1TB, with USB-C cards available in various vibrant or semi-transparent colors to enhance the appearance. This is a fantastic system, but it’s important to note that the laptop 12 is limited to USB 3.2 Gen 2; the more advanced USB4/Thunderbolt connectivity found in newer devices is not present here.

Sustainability

The high-quality plastic body, designed with over-molded sides, is durable and well-constructed. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

The framework claims the battery will retain at least 80% of its original capacity for a minimum of 1,000 full charge cycles. It can be easily replaced, along with other components including RAM and SSD.

Framework sells replacement parts and upgrades through their marketplace, while also supporting third-party components. Many laptop components include recycled plastic materials.

Price

The DIY version of the Framework 12 starts at £499 (€569/$549/$909). A pre-built model begins at £749 (€849/$799/$1,369) running Windows 11.

For context, the DIY Framework 13 is priced at £799 while the DIY Framework 16 is £1,399. Similarly, comparable 2-in-1 Windows devices begin at around £500.

Verdict

Just like previous Framework devices, the laptop 12 illustrates the possibility of having a repairable, upgradeable, and adaptable computer that functions well, appealing to both tech enthusiasts and casual users. It brings fun to the process in ways that many mid-range PCs do not.

The keyboard is solid, the trackpad performs admirably, and the speakers deliver clear, crisp sound. Modular ports are a standout feature that every PC manufacturer should consider adopting, as the ability to easily repair or upgrade is still quite rare. The absence of biometric authentication is a drawback, while the touchscreen, though bright, lacks brilliance; fitting older processors may result in reduced performance for demanding tasks, and battery life could be better by modern standards.

The main disadvantage is its price, as it is approximately £150 to £200 higher than similar spec-based closed models. Unless you already have spare components like storage or RAM, the cost reflects the benefits of a modular and open system.

Pros: Swappable ports, repairable and upgradeable, engaging and durable design, compact size, a variety of color options, strong keyboard and trackpad, solid performance for daily tasks.

Cons: Below-average battery life, a bright but slightly dull screen, absence of biometric authentication. Pricier than competitors, utilizes older processors, waits for purchase fulfillment.

Ports can be mixed and matched for creative combinations. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

Source: www.theguardian.com

Advertisers abandon corporate responsibility framework after Musk lawsuit | X

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A global coalition of advertisers has paused its corporate responsibility program following a lawsuit filed by Elon Musk’s X against the coalition, alleging it orchestrated a “massive advertiser boycott.”

The World Federation of Advertisers (WFA) announced to its members that the Global Alliance for Responsible Media (GARM) will be suspended in response to the legal action by X (formerly Twitter) as reported by Business Insider. Garm, a non-profit initiative within the WFA, helps brands avoid advertising on and monetizing harmful content.


The social media company brought an antitrust lawsuit against WFA members Unilever, Mars, CVS Health, and other advertisers for allegedly conspiring to withhold “billions of dollars in advertising revenue” from X.

Following the news, X CEO Linda Yaccarino expressed on Twitter: “What gets monetized shouldn’t be monopolized by a small group. This is an important recognition and a necessary step in the right direction. Hopefully, it means an ecosystem-wide shake-up is on the way.”

Rumble, a popular online video platform among the American right, also joined the lawsuit, filing its own complaint against WFA over Garm with similar allegations.

After Musk acquired the company in 2022 and swiftly disbanded the social network’s content moderation team, X’s advertising revenue plummeted sharply, leading to a surge in anti-Semitic content on X, including ads alongside pro-Nazi posts. X sued the watchdog group over a report on the proliferation of offensive content on the platform.

In a strongly worded statement, Musk warned advertisers to steer clear, labeling the policy changes as “blackmail.” Company X is now seeking unspecified damages and a court injunction to halt the alleged conspiracy of withholding advertising dollars.

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The WFA stated that it would release a statement shortly in response to a comment request. Unilever, Mars, and CVS Health did not immediately respond to comment requests. Check the ad The lawsuit is expected to further drive advertisers away from the platform.

“We all understand that advertising on X poses a risk for advertisers,” said Claire Atkin, co-founder of Check My Ads. “The positive aspect of today’s news is that advertisers will no longer depend on Garm and will take more direct responsibility for where their ads are placed.”

In July, a congressional committee held a hearing on “Collaboration in the Global Alliance for Responsible Media,” targeting advertising companies for alleged “anti-competitive collusion in online advertising.”

In response to the developments, the X account of a Republican member of the House Judiciary Committee posted, “Big win for the First Amendment. Big win for oversight.”

Invited to testify before Congress, Unilever USA President Herish Patel defended the company’s right to advertise wherever it chooses.

“Unilever alone controls our advertising spend,” stated Patel. “No platform has a monopoly on our ad spend.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

Review of the Framework Laptop 16: The Apex Modular Computer

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Framework is back with the new, bigger and more powerful Laptop 16, its most ambitious device yet. Highly modular and upgradable 16-inch machine that lets you change layout and power in minutes. It’s completely different from anything else on the market.

Packed with hot-swappable components, the laptop can be customized in countless ways, transforming it from a fast and quiet workhorse by day to an LED-studded gaming PC by night.

Priced from £1,399 (€1,579/$1,399/AU$2,319), this 16-inch machine improves on the ideas that made its smaller sibling, the Laptop 13, a huge hit. In fact, everything inside your laptop can be disassembled and replaced with varying degrees of ease.




Expansion cards simply click into slots on the side of your laptop to instantly add USB-C, USB-A, HDMI, DP, Ethernet, microSD slots, expandable storage, or a headphone jack. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

Featuring the same great port expansion system as its sibling, simply snap in place up to six small cards to use any combination of ports, card readers, or expandable storage on the side of the machine. Most cards cost less than £20, so they’re cheap enough to slide in and out as needed and keep a collection of cards for different tasks.

Additionally, the keyboard, numeric keypad, trackpad, LED module and spacers are easily attached in place by magnets on the top deck. Without tools, you can position your trackpad or keyboard to the left, right, or center, add another number pad or macropad on each side, or move your keyboard to another position, even when your laptop is running. Completely swap languages ​​and layouts in seconds.

Diving inside, you can remove components of the framework such as memory, storage, and wireless cards with a single screwdriver. Unlike many other laptops, where parts are soldered in place, you can expand the storage and RAM yourself, and even upgrade bits.




Simply plug the AMD Radeon RX 7700S graphics card module into the back of your machine to instantly add power to your laptop. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

However, the framework’s biggest feature is the large expansion module that sticks out behind the screen. More powerful upgrades are available, including modules that include the AMD Radeon RX 7700S discrete graphics card.

Source: www.theguardian.com