Framework Laptop 13 Pro launches with Panther Lake chips, touchscreen, and $1,199 starting price

Framework has established itself over five years by offering modular laptops, allowing users unprecedented ability to upgrade and repair components. The company has consistently updated its original Laptop 13 design with six distinct system board versions, alongside improvements like better screens and larger batteries. The Laptop 13 Pro represents a notable design evolution, moving beyond minor component tweaks.

The Framework Laptop 13 Pro integrates Intel's Core Ultra Series 3 processors, known as Panther Lake, providing enhanced computational capabilities. This model also marks the introduction of Framework's first touchscreen display, a new black aluminum finish, and an expanded battery capacity, offering users more features and longer usage times. The DIY version of the Framework Laptop 13 Pro starts at $1,199. This base configuration includes a Core Ultra 5 325 processor but requires users to supply their own RAM, storage components, and operating system. Weighing 1.4 kg (3.09 pounds), the Framework Laptop 13 Pro is slightly heavier than the original Laptop 13's 1.3 kg (2.87 pounds). It maintains a competitive weight profile, remaining lighter than competitor models like the 14-inch M5 MacBook Pro, which weighs 1.55 kg (3.42 pounds).

This release updates the core components available for the Framework platform, supporting its core promise of longevity and adaptability. Existing Framework Laptop owners can acquire the new Core Ultra motherboard, touchscreen display, and larger battery to upgrade their current systems, extending their device's lifespan. This design approach maintains core interchangeability for key components like displays and motherboards, directly facilitating continued user upgrades and reducing electronic waste. The Pro model expands hardware options for consumers prioritizing repairability and future-proofing their technology investments.

Future developments will show how this new iteration influences the modular laptop market and wider consumer adoption of upgradable technology.