Framework Laptop 12

What hackers pick instead

• Apple MacBook ProApple Silicon models stay fast for years, have long battery life, practical ports and enough memory to run local AI models; some dislike macOS and find the 16-inch heavy.928recommend
• Apple MacBook NeoAn affordable Mac with snappy performance and better build, display and trackpad than similarly priced Windows laptops, though many say its 8GB of RAM is limiting.707recommend
• MacBook AirA light, silent, fanless laptop with long battery life and enough everyday performance for years, though it throttles under sustained heavy loads and base RAM and storage feel tight.633recommend
• Apple MacBookRecommended for long battery life, excellent trackpad, screen and build quality, and fast, quiet Apple Silicon performance; critics cite soldered, hard-to-repair parts and past keyboard problems.499recommend
• Lenovo ThinkPad X1 CarbonOwners praise its light body, comfortable keyboard, trackpoint and strong Linux support; critics say battery life and heat are weak points.77recommend

Every quote

The 40 most detailed of 156 comments. Each links to the original.

1. repairability and not being in the apple ecosystem are two things I value enough that it makes sense for me to go with Framework

   Recommends · May 2026 · in “It's hard to justify buying a Framework 12”

2. Being able to have parts on hand that can easily be swapped out sounds a lot better/easier than dealing Apple repair practices.

   Recommends · Mar 2026 · in “Apple Introduces MacBook Neo”

3. Now that maintainability and customizability does come at a compromise to at least one of cost, bulk, or performance.

   Mixed · May 2026 · in “It's hard to justify buying a Framework 12”

4. Framework supports Linux and is still providing hardware/software upgrade paths for their old machines.

   Recommends · Apr 2026 · in “When the cheap one is the cool one”

5. Modular hardware is a great concept, but local model development lives and dies by memory bandwidth.

   Mixed · May 2026 · in “It's hard to justify buying a Framework 12”

6. Would love to see a haptic trackpad one day, as well as a screen that covers a larger color space.

   Mixed · Aug 2026 · in “Framework Refreshes 12" Laptop”

7. the Framework 12 allows you to upgrade components including a DDR5 SODIMM, 2230-sized NVMe SSD

   Recommends · May 2026 · in “It's hard to justify buying a Framework 12”

8. it's really hard to justify the cost of a Framework compared to a similarly priced Macbook

   Mixed · Jun 2026 · in “It's hard to justify buying a Framework 12”

9. you really, really, really want to be able to separately repair the screen and the ports

   Recommends · May 2026 · in “It's hard to justify buying a Framework 12”

10. It's hard to justify the price unless you put value to Framework's gimmicks and mission.

    Mixed · May 2026 · in “It's hard to justify buying a Framework 12”

11. the tinkerability and repairability win over raw specs for what I actually use it for

    Recommends · May 2026 · in “It's hard to justify buying a Framework 12”

12. The point of the Framework is to run Linux, and not to be part of Apple's ecosystem.

    Recommends · May 2026 · in “It's hard to justify buying a Framework 12”

13. You buy a Framework for repairability, flawless Linux support, ability to tinker

    Recommends · May 2026 · in “It's hard to justify buying a Framework 12”

14. the framework 12 is perhaps the best convertible Linux laptop in its price range

    Recommends · May 2026 · in “It's hard to justify buying a Framework 12”

15. It is a real option, in fact the only option for many who can't tolerate macOS

    Recommends · May 2026 · in “It's hard to justify buying a Framework 12”

16. which I don't mind in exchange for repairability and hassle-free Linux install

    Recommends · Oct 2026 · in “The Curse of Soldered RAM”

17. it is a touchscreen, has a 360° hinge, and is more repairable and upgradeable

    Mixed · May 2026 · in “It's hard to justify buying a Framework 12”

18. I have a Framework 12 and I absolutely love it. It's cute and super portable

    Recommends · May 2026 · in “It's hard to justify buying a Framework 12”

19. The piece the Framework 12 and Neo are missing is the weight and thickness

    Mixed · May 2026 · in “It's hard to justify buying a Framework 12”

20. Linux friendly and you get software updates until the hardware dies?

    Recommends · Mar 2026 · in “Apple Introduces MacBook Neo”

21. they've gotten pretty close to a tablet with the Framework Laptop 12

    Recommends · Apr 2026 · in “Framework Laptop 13 Pro”

22. 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.

    Criticizes · May 2026 · in “It's hard to justify buying a Framework 12”

23. VRR does not and so the panel can't clock down to save battery life when you're just idling staring at a terminal

    Criticizes · May 2026 · in “It's hard to justify buying a Framework 12”

24. The 12's base specs and more than that the experience is pretty bad. The screen and speakers are terrible.

    Criticizes · May 2026 · in “It's hard to justify buying a Framework 12”

25. Tiny screens. Imagine running a browser on a 13" screen, where part of screen space is used by taskbar

    Criticizes · May 2026 · in “It's hard to justify buying a Framework 12”

26. Just because you can upgrade a Framework laptop it doesn't make it a better value over the long term.

    Criticizes · May 2026 · in “It's hard to justify buying a Framework 12”

27. I don't see the value in the Framework 12 over a MacBook Neo if someone isn't choosing by OS first.

    Criticizes · May 2026 · in “It's hard to justify buying a Framework 12”

28. It's actually the same size and weight as the 13 so there's no real reason to use it when traveling

    Criticizes · Apr 2026 · in “When the cheap one is the cool one”

29. So it's reasonable to ask $300 extra dollar (on top of $500) for using the free linux over macOS?

    Criticizes · Jun 2026 · in “It's hard to justify buying a Framework 12”

30. yikes that in a minimal configuration costs ~700 euros or whatever the currency is by default.

    Criticizes · Jul 2026 · in “Reviving a 15-year-old netbook with Arch Linux”

31. It's still a 6 on the scale, and parts pairing, third party restrictions are still in place.

    Criticizes · May 2026 · in “Jeff Geerling: The Framework 12 is dead. Apple killed it [video]”

32. If people like us who understand the long term value of having these things available don't buy (and encourage others to buy), then we can't have nice things.

    Recommends · May 2026 · in “It's hard to justify buying a Framework 12”

33. There are things I dislike about it (placement of Airplane Mode key, if not its very existence), but I can still call it my favorite laptop ever.

    Mixed · Nov 2025 · in “Laptops with Stickers”

34. I have bought multiple Framework computers and I continue to be a fan, not because it is the best in any single category.

    Recommends · May 2026 · in “It's hard to justify buying a Framework 12”

35. You will get the most out of it if you spend time customizing it, altering it, upgrading it, understanding it, etc.

    Recommends · May 2026 · in “It's hard to justify buying a Framework 12”

36. It gives a real-computer experience, with some compromises for size, but I'm pretty sure that's a net win.

    Recommends · May 2026 · in “It's hard to justify buying a Framework 12”

37. Framework will be recurring excitment when your Godson gets to switch to a brand spanking new component

    Recommends · May 2026 · in “It's hard to justify buying a Framework 12”

38. It is such a shame, too, because what Framework has achieved at this pricepoint should be commended.

    Mixed · May 2026 · in “It's hard to justify buying a Framework 12”

39. The framework 12 is comparable in cost to a macbook neo, plus can work with a stylus as a tablet.

    Recommends · Apr 2026 · in “Framework's new Linux laptop is selling faster than its Windows one”

40. Framework has it's value for ppl that are afraid dropping their laptops/ breaking the screen.

    Mixed · May 2026 · in “It's hard to justify buying a Framework 12”