Framework has updated its entry-level Laptop 12 with Intel鈥檚 Core Series 3 chips, new configuration options, and improved battery life. The company announced the refreshed hardware ahead of an October shipping window, with pre-orders opening now. The upgrade targets the colorful 12.2-inch model that originally launched as a compact companion to the company鈥檚 larger laptops.
The new Laptop 12 comes in pre-built versions with three chip tiers: a Core 3 with 8GB of RAM, a Core 5 with 16GB, and a Core 7 with 32GB. Framework says the chips bring similar efficiency gains to those seen in its Laptop 13 Pro, which uses Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processors. The company specifically notes that the Core 5 model showed 70 percent better battery life during Netflix streaming compared with the original Core i5 version. The base 8GB memory configuration may reflect the industry-wide RAM shortage affecting computer makers, and buyers can upgrade to as much as 48GB for an additional $659.
The new processors also add support for Thunderbolt 4 on two of the laptop鈥檚 four hot-swappable Expansion Card ports, plus faster DDR5 memory. The display itself remains unchanged, but Framework now offers a backlit keyboard and a fingerprint reader as optional upgrades. In pre-built Core 5 and Core 7 configurations running Linux, both features come standard. DIY builders can mix and match those options as they prefer.
Framework is also leaning further into Linux support, noting that over 80 percent of original Laptop 12 owners run the open-source operating system. As a result, the new model ships pre-installed with Fedora, while Windows 11 is available as a $100 add-on. The company says it has already seeded the new hardware to other Linux distributions so their support will be ready when the laptop reaches customers.
Pricing starts at $699 for a pre-built Linux model in green, while the DIY version begins at $549 in black, gray, light purple, pink, or green. The DIY option provides the most flexibility for customizing specs, including the keyboard and fingerprint reader. The Laptop 12鈥檚 original model was praised for its charm but criticized for its price, and this refresh aims to address performance and feature gaps without changing the base cost structure.
The announcement follows Framework鈥檚 recent introduction of a high-end 13-inch model, showing the company is now balancing its premium lineup with a more affordable option. The Laptop 12鈥檚 October launch will put the updated hardware in the hands of U.S. buyers who want a compact, repairable machine with modern Intel connectivity. Whether the battery and port upgrades are enough to justify the price remains up to individual buyers, but the spec bump is substantial for the entry-level tier.
