Framework Laptop 13 AMD 2.8K review: AMD and Linux is a modular match made in heaven

AMD is the current reigning champion in the chip space, though its mobile offerings have often fallen short of what Intel has been able to bring to market. The AMD Ryzen 7000 series is about as good as you can get from AMD for notebooks and inside the Framework Laptop 13 we have for review is the 8-core AMD Ryzen 7 7840U. It’s not the fastest mobile processor around but it doesn’t need to be. With the efficiency of Linux, this 13-inch Framework laptop is a perfect mix. A long-lasting battery with performance when you require it, and the ability to service the laptop? Sign me up!

About this review: Framework supplied the Laptop 13 for this review but the company had no input in its contents.

Framework Laptop 13 (2024)

The Framework Laptop 13 has been refreshed for 2024 with a new 2.8K display, making it an enticing proposition for those seeking a premium notebook with the choice of AMD or Intel and Linux or Windows.

CPU

Intel 13th Gen, Intel Ultra 100, AMD Ryzen 70400

GPU

Intel Arc graphics, Radeon 700M Graphics

Display (Size, Resolution)

13.5 2256 x 1504, 13.5 2880 x 1920

RAM

DDR5-5600 8GB-96GB

Storage

250GB – 4TB NVMe SSD

Battery

55Wh, 61Wh

Ports

USB-C, USB-A, HDMI, DisplayPort, Ethernet, SD, MicroSD

Operating System

Linux, Windows

Webcam

1080p, 60 FPS

Wi-Fi connectivity

Wi-Fi 6E

Bluetooth

Bluetooth 5.2

Dimensions

15.85 x 296.63 x 228.98 mm

Weight

1.3 kg

Speakers

2W stereo

Pros

• Amazing customization options
• Completely user-serviceable
• 2.8K display is stunning
• Excellent build quality and design

Cons

• Not the best value compared to other laptops
• Does get a little warm under load

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Price, specs, and availability

The Framework Laptop 13 AMD starts from $799 as a DIY edition. A fully assembled version costs $949 with Windows installed and ready to go. Two processors are available for configuring, the 6-core AMD Ryzen 5 7640U and 8-core Ryzen 7 7850U. RAM tops out at 96GB and storage can hit 4TB. You can easily spend more than $2,400 on this laptop.

The model we received for review included an AMD Ryzen 7 7840U CPU, 16 GB of DDR5-5600 RAM, 250GB Western Digital Black NVMe SSD, 60W power adapter, and a handful of USB adapters. Everything comes to $1,482, which doesn’t make the Framework Laptop 13 AMD an affordable laptop. But this is with the fancy new (optional) 2.8K display and more bells and whistles than you likely require. Going for the baseline specs and pricing will land you a decently powerful laptop with a great battery and the same Linux experience. And being a modular Framework laptop, you can always upgrade later.

What I like

Modular laptops are user-friendly

Framework’s 13-inch 2024 laptop with its 2.8K display is gorgeous once fully assembled. The sleek metallic modular design not only looks good, but it’s also serviceable without going through third-party channels. Need more system memory? Swap out the old modules for new ones and you’re done. Taking apart the Framework laptop is painless. Once the five primary screws have rotated enough times, the entire chassis can be pulled apart. The bezel is attached to the display using magnets and Framework clearly labels everything with QR codes. Future upgrades are possible, allowing you to keep using all other parts.

Want a better, more recent processor? Simply pick up a new board and you’re good to go. The same goes for the display. Other parts, such as the SSD, RAM, and wireless card can be replaced with aftermarket components. The ability to do so helps your wallet and environment. But it’s the swappable adapters that really set this laptop apart from the competition, especially within the Linux space. The four USB-C adapter bays can take any of the available adapters, allowing you to configure your dream port array. Go with three USB ports, ethernet, or video output, the choice is yours.

Once using a modular laptop, I find it difficult to look at another model the same way. Knowing that if something goes wrong with a specific part, I’d have to contact support and enter the dreaded RMA process. With a Framework Laptop, should a component cease to function correctly (or at all), you can simply buy a replacement part and install it in minutes. But let’s switch back to that IPS display as it’s gorgeous to gaze at. We’re looking at 70% and 99% coverage for DCI-P3 and sRGB, respectively. Maximum brightness was recorded at 492 nits, just below the 500 nits specification. The 120Hz refresh rate is great for general usage and media consumption.

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AMD + Ubuntu 🤌

Powering the Linux version of the Framework Laptop 13 is … well, Linux but the choice of distribution is down to personal preference. Like many, I’d recommend Ubuntu if you’re newer to the open-source operating system. It’s easy to learn, has a vast collection of resources, is supported by most Linux content, and has a helpful community. If you ever get stuck, you’re only a search result away or a reply on the official Ubuntu forum. Fedora (40), Linux Mint, and Ubuntu (22.04 LTS, 24.04 LTS) are officially supported by Framework and the setup process is painless for both operating systems.

For our Framework 13 AMD Linux laptop review, we’re using Ubuntu 24.10. Everything worked out of the box, including the fingerprint sensor, webcam, microphone, speakers, wireless connectivity, and all included USB-C adapters. No additional drivers were required and the OS performed as expected. Compared to Windows, I’ve yet to encounter something that makes me desire to switch back to Microsoft’s OS. My primary desktop PC has been running Linux for years and this was only delayed because of the lack of gaming support.

Proton solved this and running Linux forced me to consider free alternatives to commercial services and apps, not to mention finally setting up a homelab. The same goes for Linux on laptops, such as this fine-looking Framework 13. The 2.8K display is gorgeous to use and Ubuntu handles it well enough with scaling set to a decent setting by default. There are plenty of apps available for Ubuntu without needing to visit the CLI, though I’d recommend you do so. But if you can’t get on with Linux, you can always load up Windows.

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Enough performance for work and play

Performance is about where we’d expect this AMD processor to be. General computing with word processors, email, multiple chat clients, countless browser tabs, and some music streaming in the background is no trouble for the Framework Laptop 13. The AMD Ryzen 7 7840U has plenty of performance and the battery life isn’t terrible. Gaming isn’t out of the question, but the AMD Radeon 780M will struggle with higher-fidelity gaming, especially with this 2.8K display. It’s not terrible, but this also isn’t marketed as a portable gaming machine.

Linux and chip manufacturers have come a long way in getting as much time out of a battery pack as possible. The AMD Ryzen 7000 series of mobile processors are efficient and can sip power when not running flat out. The same goes for Linux with only a small drain when suspended. It doesn’t quite match what’s possible with my resident Apple MacBook Air M2, but that’s also not as powerful as this Framework configuration. The higher-resolution display also requires additional power from the device. I’ve no complaints and can easily make this thing last 10 hours, if not longer.

What I don’t like

The Framework Laptop 13 with an AMD processor and Linux is excellent with the 2.8K display. This display will suck more power, especially when running at higher refresh rates and brightness levels. And you’ll need that extra nits for bright sunlight, which can even overcome the anti-glare finish. That said, I couldn’t locate anything that irked me about using this notebook. The performance is there, the battery life is acceptable, and it’s got all the latest technologies for getting online. Throw in full support for Linux and Windows and you have a dream dual-boot machine. But all this comes at a cost.

You’ll need to prepare yourself for the total price when factoring in USB expansion cards, the uprated display and CPU, and storage. You can save by going with aftermarket options, especially for RAM, but there’s no avoiding the fact the Framework Laptop 13 is a little on the pricey side. A minor gripe could be the webcam, which is a fixed 2MP unit and while fine for standard video calls, it would be nice to see some form of modularity here.

Should you buy the AMD Framework Laptop 13 with Linux?

You should buy this laptop if:

• You want an easily serviceable laptop running AMD and Linux.
• You don’t mind putting together a notebook yourself.

You shouldn’t buy this laptop if:

• You want the best value 13-inch AMD laptop — this isn’t it.
• You don’t care about servicing and upgrading your laptop.

This is one of the best laptops I’ve used. Not simply the most powerful or most affordable, but the best for what I look for in a notebook. It’s light, portable, powerful enough, lasts a full workday on a single charge, and you can swap out expansion cards on the fly. The best part is the ability to open the Framework Laptop 13 up and swap out RAM, storage, and even the mainboard, enabling system upgrades. Soot, a new revised model has been released since you bought your Framework? No problem, buy the upgrade kit and you’re good to go! That’s fantastic for the environment and the general public.

I’m sure the Intel version of the Framework Laptop 13 would yield similar results, though I know the AMD Ryzen 7040 chips have the upper hand and it showed in my extensive testing. The AMD Ryzen 7840U is a beast with 8 cores and Radeon 700 Graphics. You could get away with some light gaming when not focused on emails. Coffee shops are no problem and neither is your couch for some late-night surfing. This isn’t the best laptop in its class, but if you value control over upgrades, software support, and other aspects of your hardware, you can’t beat Framework.

Framework Laptop 13 (2024)

The Framework Laptop 13 has been refreshed for 2024 with a new 2.8K display, making it an enticing proposition for those seeking a premium notebook with the choice of AMD or Intel and Linux or Windows.