# Framework Laptop 12 83 Hacker News commenters recommended Framework Laptop 12 and 52 criticized it, November 2025 to November 2026. It was recommended in 9 of 13 months. **Verdict:** Repairable, upgradeable, Linux-friendly convertible that people choose over Apple laptops for repairability and openness. Critics say the price is hard to justify. ## Why people recommend it - Repairable and upgradeable hardware (7 comments): "repairability and not being in the apple ecosystem are two things I value enough that it makes sense for me to go with Framework" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48329459)) "Being able to have parts on hand that can easily be swapped out sounds a lot better/easier than dealing Apple repair practices." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47254509)) "the Framework 12 allows you to upgrade components including a DDR5 SODIMM, 2230-sized NVMe SSD" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48332181)) - Good Linux support (7 comments): "Framework supports Linux and is still providing hardware/software upgrade paths for their old machines." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47918430)) "The point of the Framework is to run Linux, and not to be part of Apple's ecosystem." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48327018)) "You buy a Framework for repairability, flawless Linux support, ability to tinker" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48327784)) - Alternative to Apple's ecosystem (3 comments): "repairability and not being in the apple ecosystem are two things I value enough that it makes sense for me to go with Framework" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48329459)) "The point of the Framework is to run Linux, and not to be part of Apple's ecosystem." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48327018)) "It is a real option, in fact the only option for many who can't tolerate macOS" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48347488)) - Compact, portable touchscreen convertible (4 comments): "the framework 12 is perhaps the best convertible Linux laptop in its price range" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48329465)) "it is a touchscreen, has a 360° hinge, and is more repairable and upgradeable" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48324579)) "I have a Framework 12 and I absolutely love it. It's cute and super portable" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48325415)) ## What people warn about - Price hard to justify (6 comments): "it's really hard to justify the cost of a Framework compared to a similarly priced Macbook" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48356008)) "It's hard to justify the price unless you put value to Framework's gimmicks and mission." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48334180)) "Just because you can upgrade a Framework laptop it doesn't make it a better value over the long term." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48325141)) - Compromises on size and performance (4 comments): "Now that maintainability and customizability does come at a compromise to at least one of cost, bulk, or performance." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48327585)) "Modular hardware is a great concept, but local model development lives and dies by memory bandwidth." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48339425)) "The piece the Framework 12 and Neo are missing is the weight and thickness" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48325089)) - Weak screen, speakers and battery (4 comments): "VRR does not and so the panel can't clock down to save battery life when you're just idling staring at a terminal" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48339385)) "The 12's base specs and more than that the experience is pretty bad. The screen and speakers are terrible." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48324623)) "Tiny screens. Imagine running a browser on a 13" screen, where part of screen space is used by taskbar" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48329493)) - Repairs depend on parts and pairing (2 comments): "If your Framework laptop dies, you have to debug the problem yourself, wait for parts to arrive, and pray that the part you ordered is the only part you need." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48344932)) "It's still a 6 on the scale, and parts pairing, third party restrictions are still in place." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48330691)) ## Alternatives hackers recommend - [Apple MacBook Pro](https://hackerapproved.com/p/macbook-pro.md): 928 recommend - [Apple MacBook Neo](https://hackerapproved.com/p/macbook-neo.md): 707 recommend - [MacBook Air](https://hackerapproved.com/p/macbook-air.md): 633 recommend - [Apple MacBook](https://hackerapproved.com/p/apple-macbook.md): 499 recommend - [Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon](https://hackerapproved.com/p/thinkpad-x1-carbon.md): 77 recommend ## Where to get it - [Visit the official site](https://frame.work/laptop12) ## Cite as Hacker Approved, "Framework Laptop 12", https://hackerapproved.com/p/framework-laptop-12/ (counts from 1,795,640 Hacker News comments, November 2025 to November 2026).