The Framework Laptop
What if you had a laptop you could upgrade indefinitely, without having to purchase a completely new one every 3 years?
I discovered Framework a few years ago through my husband. He works in IT and is constantly seeking out new computers, and when he came across this brand I was so intrigued. According to their website, they believe “the biggest impact we can make is generating less waste to begin with by making our products last longer.” They have a real goal towards sustainability, and in turn, their experience for the consumer has a ton of benefits.
I have owned a lot of devices over the years and as time has gone on, it feels like every device has become less and less modular. Do you remember when you could take the battery out of the back of your phone to reset it? Now you have to resort to crazy key combinations, or taking it into a support store just to have anything serviced. Every piece and port has been fused together making it impossible to upgrade piece by piece - resorting in higher repair bills and more frequent device turnover (aka exactly what the device companies want).
Well, enter Framework. They have taken a new approach to device building and a completely new angle for their consumers. Their devices are entirely upgradeable. Battery goes out? You can buy a new one and swap it out. Your USB port gets broken? Add to cart. It’s an amazing concept - and I think it’s especially beneficial for moms and families.
We all know having kids is a wild ride, and the amount of items they can shove into ports, pour on our keyboards, and smash into our screens is unreal. If you owned a Framework, none of that would be a huge issue - you would simply go online, order the new part from their website, and replace it yourself. It’s crazy how easy it is y’all, and the cost-effective side has my budget loving brain soaring. Even as someone who doesn’t build computers, it’s shockingly easy to switch these parts out. (See my Instagram reel for how quickly my husband built this out of the box!).
Okay, so let’s get into the review here - how practical is this for you and how would it function for your family? Is the cost of the device worth it? What about safety? How does it hold up to its popular competitors? Well, lets chat this all out.
✨ Mom Convenience Check
How easy is this device to put together, and how practical is it to use day to day?
As you can see in my review video on Instagram, this device is wildly easy to put together out of the box, however, you also can order pre-built ones from their website and still have the ability to upgrade as time goes on. If you are ordering a custom device you will have a little bit of setup out of the box, but other than that the setup process is just like any other Windows Laptop.
Day to day, I love the application of this device for families! It feels sturdy and durable and the fact that if pieces break or stops working it can be upgraded is wild to me. Extremely practical, easy to use, and simple to set up.
It’s…
| MomTech Approved ✅
✨ Mom Chaos Test
How does the device hold up to the natural chaos that comes with having kids?
Anyone with kids knows that having kids comes with its own level of chaotic energy. Snacks, spills, stains - you name it. So how does this device hold up against the inevitable fun to come? A laptop is often not a small investment, so if you’re putting hundreds (or thousands) of dollars into something, you want to know that it’s going to last.
Framework having a modular & replaceable part concept makes this one of the best rated laptops I will review in this category. Referencing the Framework 13 laptop specifically, to replace the keyboard would be $39, the battery just $69, and the entire screen $159. Let’s say you have to replace the entire mainboard of the computer itself, they start at just $299. Knowing that as things break and wear down, you can just replace them, allows for your device to last so much longer. You no longer have to look at that thousand dollar price tag for replacement, because you simply can upgrade parts as you go.
It’s…
| MomTech Approved ✅
✨ Mom Value Meter
Is this device worth the value or investment required of it?
As of the time of this blog, Framework has 4 devices - their desktop, the Framework 12, Framework 13, and Framework 16. You can choose to purchase a pre-buit model, or you can opt for a fully customized machine. The cost for their Framework 12 (2-in-1 laptop), with 8GB RAM and 512GB storage (their base specs) prices at $799. For comparison, this Microsoft Pro 2-in-1 Laptop with 16GB RAM and 512GB storage is priced at $899.99. (As a note, the Pro doesn’t come with a keyboard out of the box either, you have to buy that separately for an additional cost). In summary, the Framework is extremely comparable for its competitors - AND it has the advantage of having replaceable parts over time - so you won’t be pushed into purchasing a whole new device every few years, but instead can upgrade the parts that you need to as you need to. This device is big “bang for your buck” as they say.
It’s…
| MomTech Approved ✅
Overall, I am blown away by this laptop. It’s a fun experience, easy to use, practical for everyday, a great cost-value, and will hold up in the chaos of the kids. If you’re in the market for a new laptop this year, take a look at Framework.
