Back in April, Framework Computer announced the Framework Laptop 13 Pro as a ground-up re-design of their modular/upgradeable laptop. This new Framework Laptop 13 Pro features a much larger battery (74Wh), LPCAMM2 memory support, a full CNC aluminum chassis, haptic touchpad, and a new power-optimized touch display. Paired with the very efficient Intel Core Ultra Series 3 “Panther Lake” SoCs, the Framework Laptop 13 Pro ends up being an incredible offering from the hardware perspective.
Framework Computer recently sent over a review sample of the Framework Laptop 13 Pro. The review embargo lifts today and while I’ve only had about a week so far to test it out, since the moment of unboxing it, it became clear how significant of a hardware upgrade this was over the prior generation Framework Laptop 13 generations. The CNC’ed aluminum chassis has a very nice feel to it and akin to the older ThinkPad laptops or the feel of an Apple MacBook Pro. The chassis is machined out of 6063 aluminum while keeping the same outer dimensions as prior Framework Laptop 13 models and weighing just 1.4 kilograms. As with past Framework Computer products, open-source CAD files are available of the hardware designs.
The new Framework Laptop 13 Pro is still just as upgradeable as prior laptop models but the hardware quality is now at the next level thanks to the new chassis manufacturing. The new display was another very nice quality of live improvement when powering on this new laptop compared to prior Framework Laptop models.
With the LPCAMM2 memory with the new Panther Lake mainboard, Framework Computer is offering 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB options at 7467 MT/s speeds.
One other important item to note is that while there is the brand new Framework Laptop 13 Pro chassis, Framework Computer is maintaining cross-generation compatibility with their components. The new Panther Lake based mainboard as well as the Display Kit and other components all follow the form factors and interfaces of their earlier units, thus the older laptops can still be upgraded with these new components if not wanting to opt for the brand new chassis at this time. Or if you want to upgrade your chassis now while keeping the same hardware components until memory/storage prices and the like drop.
With the new 74 Wh battery plus the power-optimized display and the low power consumption of Intel Panther Lake SoCs, Framework Computing is touting up to a 20 hour battery life with this laptop. While I refrain from publishing battery numbers due to the many variables at play and many different user workflows leading to wildly different outcomes, the Framework Laptop 13 Pro was definitely lasting several hours longer than prior Framework Laptop 13 models like with the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 or Ryzen 7 7840U configurations.
Setting up the Framework Laptop 13 Pro was the same process for those that have worked with prior Framework Laptop assembly for DIY builds. Very easy and straight-forward. I encountered no issues and was a very smooth process. Framework Computer continues supporting LVFS/Fwupd for making system and component firmware updates straight-forward.
The Framework Laptop 13 Pro is designed with great Linux compatibility in mind. Those running modern Linux distributions like Ubuntu 26.04 LTS, Fedora Workstation 44, Arch Linux, and others should be in great shape for a great out-of-the-box Linux experience on this new Panther Lake powered laptop.
Most of my testing has been on Ubuntu 26.04 LTS given the limited time with this laptop so far. Ubuntu 26.04 LTS worked great out-of-the-box with this Panther Lake powered Framework laptop on the Linux 7.0 kernel. The Panther Lake SoC with Arc B390 integrated graphics, the new display kit, the new haptic touchpad, and all other components were working out fine.
The only muisance I ran into with the Framework Laptop 13 Pro was finding that using an alternative 150W USB-C charger with the laptop hadn’t behaved as expected. I was finding the Core Ultra X9 388H consuming 6 Watts or less and thus leading to much lower performance. Due to frequently benchmarking different laptops, I typically use the same high wattage USB-C charger at my desk and it’s worked fine with every laptop I have ever tested it on — dozens. But with the new Framework Laptop 13 Pro, the power draw of the SoC was capped at 6W. Once wondering what was going on and ultimately switching over to the official Framework USB-C charger, everything was behaving as expected. So it was an odd USB-C charger issue and something I hadn’t encountered with prior Framework laptops or with any other laptop with this Anker charger. Due to the limited time I don’t know all the intricacies if other chargers/brands have any similar issues, but long story short using the included Framework USB-C charger worked out fine. Just be aware in case you use alternative chargers and then find suddenly lower performance, but hopefully this is an area Framework Computer can improve upon with a USB-C power delivery firmware update.
Aside from that charger nuisance, everything else has been running smooth — and fast — with the Framework Laptop 13 Pro on Linux.
