Framework Laptop 13 AMD Edition (2023) Review

About the Framework Laptop 13 AMD Edition

The Framework Laptop 13 is a 13.5-inch laptop that’s completely customizable. Every single part, from the mainboard to the Wi-Fi antenna, can be swapped out and replaced or upgraded as needed. Because of this, the Framework Laptop 13 has one chassis to share among its Intel and AMD variants. The DIY version of both laptops starts at $849, and the prebuilt versions start at $1,049.

Framework Laptop 13 AMD Edition specs

• Price as configured: $1,546 (not including port expansion cards)
• Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 7840U (8-core CPU at 3.30GHz, 4 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores)
• Graphics: AMD Radeon 780M (integrated)
• Memory: 16GB DDR5-5600 (2 x 8GB)
• Storage: WD_Black SN770 NVMe M.2 2280 1TB SSD
• Display: 13.5-inch, 2256 x 1504, 400 nits max (rated), 441 nits max (measured), 100% sRGB
• Webcam: 1080p 60fps
• Ports: 4 interchangeable ports, with option for USB-C 4, USB-A 3.2 Gen 2, HDMI 2.0b, 2.5 Gbps Ethernet, DisplayPort, and Micro-SD
• Connectivity: AMD RZ616 Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2
• Battery: 61 Wh battery
• Weight: 2.86 pounds
• Dimensions: 11.65 x 9.01 x 0.63 inches
• Warranty: 1-year limited warranty

What we like

Framework didn’t fix what wasn’t broken

Since its inception, Framework has had one goal: make laptops you can upgrade and repair on your own. The AMD Framework is no different, and it’s exactly the same as the Intel Framework save for the mainboard and memory options (AMD only supports DDR5, whereas Intel still supports both DDR4 and DDR5). Existing Framework owners just have to buy a mainboard to access the AMD edition’s new features and higher power performance.

If you’re new to Framework laptops, then you may be happy to discover that every single computer piece is modular and easy to replace. That includes not only the usual ones like memory and storage slots, but also Wi-Fi connectivity cards, audio boards and drivers, the display, and even the main processor.

Additionally, the Framework has port cards. It allows you to swap out any of the four ports depending on your immediate needs instead of being stuck with the original chosen four. The only major downside is that the cards aren’t included with the laptop—you’ll have to pay between $9 and $39 for each one.

Great ergonomics and build quality

The Framework’s modularity wouldn’t mean much if the parts themselves were dinky. Thankfully, every part of the Framework laptop is sturdy and good at its job (it’s simple but important praise). The chassis is made of stiff metal that feels like it can take a couple tumbles. Better yet, this construction quality does not come at the cost of accessibility—disassembling the Framework is a fast and easy process with a T5 screwdriver (which Framework includes with every laptop).

Compared to something like a MacBook Pro or a Dell XPS, the Framework’s aesthetic is nondescript, but it’s nonetheless a pleasure to look at with its oversized Framework gear logo on the lid.

The keyboard and mouse are a treat to use. The backlit keyboard has deep keys that quickly respond to light touches without feeling squishy. The trackpad is about the same size as a MacBook Air’s trackpad, and its surface is just as smooth. Combined with the sub-3 pound weight and 0.7-inch thickness, the Framework is one of the coziest laptops to use when space is at a premium.

Big performance bump from the Intel version

Compared to Intel Core i7-1360P laptops (the rough equivalent of our Framework laptop’s AMD Ryzen 7 7740U processor), the Framework is notably more powerful in just about every metric. The Ryzen 7’s single core performance is the only major exception, where there wasn’t a notable difference in benchmark results between the Ryzen 7 and Intel Core i7 laptops.

In multicore performance, graphics performance, thermal performance, and efficiency performance, the Ryzen 7 comes out ahead. The Framework laptop was quick to render our test scene in Blender, taking just 3 minutes and 3 seconds to complete the scene. That’s 1 minute and 19 seconds faster than the MSI Prestige 13 Evo, our highest-scoring laptop with an Intel Core i7-1360P processor. Evo: 262 sec

Another notable win for AMD here is its thermal regulation. The Ryzen 7 peaked at 92 degrees Celsius and averaged about 80 degrees Celsius during our stress benchmark. By comparison, laptops running the Intel 1360P tend to average in the 85 to 95 degrees Celsius range with peaks up to 100 degrees Celsius. (Hotter temps are not necessarily a bad thing if the processor stays below its thermal junction to avoid throttling, which both processors do well with most of the time.)

While you can install your own memory and storage into the Framework laptop, Framework directly offers some snappy options, including DDR5-5600MHz memory and a WD_Black SN770 solid state drive with read and write speeds of about 5000 megabits per second. While not the fastest drives or modules on the market, they’re sufficient for most use cases and better than default memory modules and storage drives in laptops.

What we don’t like

Battery life is good but could be better

While running web apps and basic productivity software, the AMD or Intel Framework gets about 8 hours of use on a single battery charge (we got 7 hours and 36 minutes of use time during our battery test). It’s enough to get through the average work day, but it does lag behind other laptops in its price range like the MacBook Air 15 M2 and the Dell XPS 13 9315.

The ports are finicky

On the Intel model, you can use any port in any port bay—all four slots run on Thunderbolt 4. However, the AMD model comes with quirks thanks to its Ryzen 7 7840U processor, which only supports two native USB-C 4 connections at a time.

The rear left and rear right are Thunderbolt 4 ports, but the front right is a USB-C 3 port and the front left is a USB-A 3.2 port despite its USB-C plug. The front two ports consume less energy at the expense of slower data transfer rates, and have a harder time supplying power than the rear ports. Some standards, like Displayport and HDMI, won’t run at all on the USB-A port. We recommend putting a sticky note by each port outlining what it can and can’t do.

The screen feels a step behind its competition

Much like its battery life, the Framework’s display isn’t bad, but it lags behind other productivity laptops in this price range. The Framework comes with a 13.5-inch 2K display that covers the full standard RGB color gamut. This is plenty for most people, but if you want an HDR-capable screen you’re out of luck. Meanwhile, the Framework’s competition such as the HP Spectre, the Lenovo Yoga 9i, and the Asus Zenbook OLED pack 4K displays with full P3 gamut coverage and HDR support.

Similarly, the display’s brightness and contrast are good but not astounding. At a tested maximum brightness of 444 nits, the Framework laptop is bright enough for an office or even under a shaded tree, but it’s not blindingly bright in the way other screens can be. Black levels are somewhat disappointing, as well.

Should you buy the AMD Framework Laptop?

Yes, it’s Framework’s best laptop yet

While the AMD Framework laptop will set you back between $1,000 and $1,500, it’s well worth it. Every component in the Framework laptop is well built and a strong performer, and compared to the Intel version the AMD version is notably faster in more intensive tasks like media editing and gaming. Both models have about seven and a half hours of battery life, and combined with the Framework’s lithe chassis the AMD version makes for an excellent go-to laptop at home and in travel.

Where the Framework shines is in its modularity. The Framework laptop should last you a long time, but if you need to replace anything or you want to upgrade the processor, you can do it yourself by buying the necessary parts on Framework’s marketplace. That’s virtually unheard of for laptops, which usually only let you swap the storage drives and memory modules.

The downside of this clever laptop is its price—you can get a laptop that performs just as well for hundreds of dollars less so long as you’re okay sacrificing the upgradeability and modularity. The Lenovo Yoga 9i, the Acer Swift Go 16, and the 14-inch MacBook Pro M3 each offer similar performance and more battery life than the AMD Framework laptop, and they’re often found on sale.

I’m glad we finally have an AMD edition of the Framework laptop. Its core and graphics performance are both awesome compared to past Framework laptops, but more than anything else I’m happy to say the rest has stayed the same. It’s still the highly flexible, tinker-friendly laptop that we loved all the way back in 2021.