Engadget gave the repairable 2-in-1 8.4 out of 10 after the 2026 upgrade fixed its biggest flaw.
A note on this page: Savvy VibeZ did not test this laptop. This is our summary of another outlet's review. The score below is Engadget's, not ours.
Framework builds laptops you can repair and upgrade yourself. Engadget's Daniel Cooper reviewed the 2026 upgrade of its 12-inch 2-in-1 and scored it 8.4 out of 10, saying new Intel Core Series 3 chips fix a key flaw of the earlier model.
What changed in the Framework Laptop 12
- New Intel chips: the tested unit used a Core 7 350, with Core 3 304 and Core 5 320 also offered.
- Maximum memory rises to 64GB, and the rear expansion slots now support Thunderbolt 4.
- A fingerprint reader and backlit keyboard are added, along with a Framework-made USI 2.0 stylus.
Framework Laptop 12 prices listed in the review
- $799: Core 3 304, 8GB RAM, 512GB storage, four USB-C expansion cards.
- $1,199: Core 5 320, 16GB RAM, 512GB, Windows 11 Home.
- $1,549: Core 7 350, 32GB RAM, 512GB, Windows 11 Pro (the tested configuration).
- Choosing Fedora Linux instead of Windows saves $100.
What worked, according to the review
Performance is strong for the class, and the new chips largely resolve the thermal bottleneck of the first generation. The reviewer played Fortnite, Hardspace: Shipbreaker and Cyberpunk 2077 (on its lowest settings) smoothly. The design remains modular and repairable: swapping the mainboard took him about 14 minutes, plus roughly 32 minutes of Windows and driver setup. He advises downloading Wi-Fi drivers first or using an ethernet adapter.
What did not work, according to the review
- Prices are high, which the review attributes to the RAM market.
- The 8GB base model is a real limitation, especially with Windows.
- The underside gets very hot during sustained gaming on a table, within about ten minutes, so it is not a lap-top gaming machine.
- Battery life is roughly five hours of light work and under three hours under heavy load.
The review's verdict: the new chips make the Laptop 12 capable beyond basic tasks, and it is still a strong choice for people who value repairability, provided you pay attention to configuration and avoid demanding work on your lap.
