Framework’s new 13 Pro laptop is the company’s first to ship as certified for Ubuntu, who say you can buy it knowing you’ll get “guaranteed support right out of the box”.
Framework hardware have been popular with Linux users for years, not just for the company’s ethos around upgradeable and repairable hardware but their kernel contributions and financial support for open-source projects and developers.
Specs wise, the new Framework 13 Pro is powered by Intel Core Ultra Series 3 or AMD Ryzen AI 300 series processors. It uses LPCAMM2 memory (modular LPDDR5X), available with up to 64GB (higher densities will come to market in time).
No discrete GPU, but integrated graphics are not as awful as they used to be.
Owners get to gawp at a 13.5-inch (2880×1920) LTPS display (efficient, faster-reacting screen technology) that hits 700 nits, has a 120Hz variable refresh rate and integrated (i.e., in-cell) touch support.
Colours should pop since it covers 100% of the sRGB (what display doesn’t in 2026) and has undergone “per-panel calibration for colour accuracy”.
PCIe Gen 5 SSDs (up to 14,000 MB/s) are supported, and there’s Wi-Fi 7 via Intel BE211 radio. Battery life has doubled thanks to a larger 74Wh capacity battery, which Framework tout as being good for 20 hours of 4K streaming alone.
Ports remain modular and hot-swappable. You can pick your preferred set of 4 during purchase, and then buy additional ones (or reuse ones you already own) as/when you need them.
One notable hardware improvement over its predecessor is the inclusion of a haptic touchpad. This uses motors to simulate the feel of a click, so you can “click” anywhere on the surface with a consistent force.
If you’ve tried a modern MacBook Pro you’ll know how indescribably nice a haptic touchpad is to use. It’s not that mechanical ‘diving board’ touchpads are bad (though most are), more that haptic is somewhat luxurious in comparison.
And mentioning the MacBook Pro is intentional, as Framework say challenged themselves to build a ‘MacBook Pro for Linux users’.
In addition to being Ubuntu-certified, the new models will support firmware updates via the LVFS (which come through the fwupd package, which powers the GUI Firmware Updater app on Ubuntu) to which Framework is now a sponsor.
That said, the laptop does support Windows 11 and is available to buy pre-loaded with Microsoft’s own OS, for those who need or want it.
Framework Laptop 13 Pro Ubuntu Edition Price
Well-built laptops made for nerds, powered by the latest chips and making use of new types of RAM module means, alas, these aren’t budget devices.
The cheapest pre-built Ubuntu edition is priced at £2009, and is powered by a 16-core Intel Ultra X7 358H (up to 4.8 Ghz), has 32 GB LPCAMM2 LPDDR5X 8533 memory and a 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe.
A more expensive AMD-powered edition preloaded with Ubuntu costs from £3009, packing a 12-core Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 (up to 5.2 Ghz), but the same amount of RAM and storage.
To save money you can opt for a DIY edition (you choose RAM, storage and OS). These are cheaper since they offer additional CPU and memory tiers. A DIY Edition with an 8-core Intel Ultra 5 325 costs £1009 without RAM or storage, or £1448 with 32 GB LPCAMM2 memory.
Interested? The Laptop 13 Pro in all its editions and OS preloads are available to pre-order right now, with shipping times starting in July.
