GoKawiilThe Framework Laptop 13 Pro's sturdy design, haptic trackpad, and bigger battery feel like they should have been there all along. This is the definitive version of the system, though it can get warm and is very expensive.
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If you want a Windows or Linux laptop that you can upgrade and repair, you should be looking at Framework. But to maintain that repairability, the company's build quality has always left something to be desired.
The Framework Laptop 13 Pro ($1,199 to start without SSD, RAM, or OS, $1,599 to start pre-built, approximately $3,272 as tested) is the company's attempt to shake that image, with a CNC aluminum chassis, a haptic touchpad, a high-resolution touchscreen, and other premium features that hadn't previously made it into Framework's repair-friendly laptops.
This design is far and away better than its existing chassis, but launching a laptop based on repairability when parts for it are extremely expensive puts the Laptop 13 Pro out of reach for many.
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Design of the Framework Laptop 13 Pro
The Framework Laptop 13 Pro is a big step up in design from its predecessor, the original Framework Laptop 13 . It has a new, blacked-out color scheme as opposed to Framework's go-to silver. But more importantly, it feels like a much more premium product.
The CNC-machined aluminum chassis has significantly less flex than the regular Framework laptop, which would sometimes bend with just one hand. That's not to say there's no bending, specifically around the display, but this is an improvement that made me feel far more confident having the laptop in my backpack.
The chassis has an almost velvety feel. I can't explain it, because this is solid aluminum, but it has some sort of coating that feels unique in my hands. The black color, however, is a fingerprint magnet.
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