Framework Laptop 12 Review: Fun, Flexible and Repairable

So here’s the thing—if you’ve ever peeled apart a gadget just to see what makes it tick, the Framework Laptop 12 is gonna feel less like buying a laptop and more like adopting a wild, little pocket-sized science project.

And yeah, I say that with love. Because for some of us (guilty), the joy of modular computing isn’t just about the ability to fix things—it’s about freedom. The kind of tech freedom that big brands usually hide behind glue, proprietary screws, and silent warranties.

When Framework, a tiny but noisy name in sustainable tech, dropped their new 12-inch 2-in-1 laptop, I didn’t expect to be as smitten as I was. But here we are, many sleepless coffee-fueled nights later, with screwdrivers in hand and an embarrassingly wide smile on my face.

This is not just a compact laptop. It’s a rebellion in a magnesium shell.

Table of Contents

Designed to Be Tinkered With: Modular is the Mood

Framework’s whole thing is being the antithesis of sealed boxes. The Framework Laptop 12, like its older siblings—the Framework Laptop 13 and even the powerhouse Framework Laptop 16—continues their sacred mission of right to repair, user-serviceable parts, and good old-fashioned “let me do it myself, thank you.”

And y’know what? It actually works.

Pop off the magnetic keyboard (yes, magnetic) and you’re staring at a clearly-labeled map of your laptop’s innards. RAM slots, SSD, battery, Wi-Fi card—all of it, just… there. No shouting at YouTube tutorials. No weird screwdrivers from 1993. Just access.

Expansion cards let you pick your own port configuration. Like playing Tetris, but with USB-C, USB 3.2 Gen 2, HDMI, microSD, or even storage modules.
You can pick color-matching bezel kits or slap on a funky one that screams, “I build PCs and eat cereal at 2AM.”
It’s a DIY laptop you can fully customize and upgrade as you go. Need more expandable storage next year? Just drop in a new module. No throwing away the whole dang thing.

Honestly, it’s weirdly emotional. In a world of locked-down slabs, the Framework Laptop 12 whispers, “You still got control.”

Yes, It’s a Convertible: Touchscreen With a Twist

Here’s the fun part: this baby’s not just smart, it’s bendy. The 360-degree hinge turns the whole setup into a budget 2-in-1 laptop, great for students, artists, developers, or casual Netflix zombies.

You get a touchscreen that supports stylus input, though you’ll need to bring your own pen (Framework’s stylus is sold separately—meh). Still, writing notes or doodling sketches on a fully repairable device? That’s kinda sci-fi.

The panel is sharp, 3:2 aspect ratio, 2256×1504 resolution
Bright enough indoors, kinda meh in sunlight (it’s glossy)
Touch response? Fast. Smooth. Feels like butter on a hot pan.

And the best part? It feels solid. Framework somehow packed all this into a chassis that meets MIL-STD-810 ruggedness levels. That’s military-grade durability, if you’re counting acronyms.

Under the Hood: Not a Beast, But Not a Slouch Either

Alright, let’s talk specs. You get a choice of Intel Core i3 or i5, both from the 13th gen U-series. These are tuned more for efficiency than speed demons, but they handle daily workloads fine.

Think:

Web browsing with too many tabs? Yup.
Zoom calls, school work, coding, YouTube, Spotify, VS Code? No problem.
Playing Cyberpunk 2077 on ultra with ray tracing? LOL no. Go outside.

But here’s the trade: those chips sip power like a polite guest at a tea party. Battery life, though? Ehhh… it’s about average. Around 6–8 hours, depending on what OS you use. Speaking of…

Windows or Linux? You Choose, Friend

This is a laptop for developers, students, tinkerers—and guess what? It’s not married to Windows 11. If you want to run Linux (Ubuntu, Fedora, Arch if you hate happiness), it’ll just work.

There’s full Linux support out the box. Drivers install cleanly, no screaming into forums at 2AM (usually). Plus, Framework has documentation that’s actually helpful. Wild, right?

Dual-booters? You’re welcome here. Minimalists? Linux and go. Gamers? Stick to Windows 11 and tweak your expectations.

Privacy & Quirks: Not Everything’s Perfect, But It’s Honest

Look, not gonna sugarcoat it: some things are missing, and you’re gonna notice if you’re picky.

No biometrics—no fingerprint reader, no face ID. You’re typing that password like it’s 2004.
There’s a privacy switch for camera and mic though, which is an actual physical toggle. Kinda cool. Kinda hacker-core.
Speakers are mid. Not terrible, not great.
Webcam is decent (1080p), but not flagship-tier.

Also… no fan noise most of the time. It’s passively cool in light use, but warm under pressure.

Sustainability: Saving the Planet, One Screw at a Time

Framework’s mission isn’t just about geeky joy—it’s about hardware sustainability.

This thing is made with recycled plastic, eco-friendly tech, and designed to not be thrown out after three years. You can swap almost everything. The Framework Marketplace even lets you buy replacement parts, new modules, and upgrade kits.

This is the future we were promised when Captain Planet showed up on Saturday mornings. Less waste, more dignity.

Perfect for Students, Developers, and Curious Humans

Whether you’re buying a student laptop for back-to-school season or a tech for classrooms device that won’t crumble after one drop, the Framework Laptop 12 kinda nails it.

Kids can fix it with supervision (there’s literal QR codes on the internals)
Developers can dual-boot, expand ports, and tweak everything
Artists can sketch on it (with stylus support)
And folks like me? We get to enjoy our gadgets again.

One of my favorite stories comes from a high school teacher in Michigan who bought five Framework 12s for her robotics club. After one broke a port, the student disassembled it, replaced the expansion card, and had it working in 30 mins. “They felt like they had superpowers,” she said.

What Samuel Gibbs Thinks: A Voice Worth Hearing

We’d be remiss not to mention Samuel Gibbs, tech editor at The Guardian, who’s reviewed Framework’s laptops multiple times. His take on the Framework Laptop 12?

“It feels like the right kind of weird. Compact, truly repairable, and fun to use—it makes you question why every laptop isn’t like this.”

Honestly, couldn’t have said it better myself.

Drawbacks That May Bug Ya

Let’s not pretend it’s flawless. Here’s the laundry list of “meh”:

Battery life ain’t MacBook level.
Glossy screen = annoying in sunlight.
No biometric login (weird in 2025).
Not the fastest processor out there.
Stylus not included.

But, compared to most ultrabook alternatives or convertible laptops, these feel more like quirks than deal-breakers.

How to Write a Custom Message (or Why You Should)

If you’re buying this as a gift—or recommending it to someone—you might wanna go the extra step and personalize the note. A few ideas:

Include a repair guide with a cheeky note like, “May your screws be few and your ports be plenty.”
Gift it with a toolkit and say, “Here’s a laptop and a legacy. Build it your way.”
Share a little tech origin story: “This isn’t just a laptop, it’s a philosophy with a keyboard.”

Creative Ways to Deliver Your Review or Recommendation

If you love it, share it weirdly. Tweet your build experience. Blog your DIY upgrades. Leave handwritten notes inside the expansion card case. Heck, gift someone a spare bezel in their favorite color just because.

Because this isn’t just another slab of metal and pixels. It’s a conversation starter. A protest sign. A laptop that dares to care.

Final Thoughts

The Framework Laptop 12 is not the fastest, not the cheapest, and definitely not the flashiest laptop you can buy. But it might be the most honest.

It says, “I respect you enough to let you inside.” It hands you the screwdriver. It gives you choice. Control. Even some chaos.

In a world full of glued-shut gadgets and disappearing headphone jacks, the Framework Laptop 12 is a weird little lighthouse blinking across the dark sea of disposable tech.

If you believe in modular, repairable, and custom-built laptops—and if you’re a sucker for a laptop that can grow with you—this might just be the one you’ve been waiting for.

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