Both Tom's Hardware and Engadget reviewed the updated Framework Laptop 12, which swaps the original 13th-gen Intel chips for the new Core Series 3 (Wildcat Lake) processors. The two outlets agree that the new silicon is a significant upgrade: Engadget says it 'fixes a key flaw' by eliminating the thermal throttling that held back the original, allowing games like Cyberpunk 2077 to run smoothly. Tom's Hardware is more measured, describing performance as competitive with other Wildcat Lake laptops but not class-leading.
The reviews also align on the laptop's core identity: it remains highly repairable and modular, with easy access to components and a design that encourages tinkering. But both note the compromises that come with the budget-focused chassis, including a plastic exterior, a 1080p60 display, and a poor webcam. Engadget adds that the 2026 model gains a fingerprint reader, backlit keyboard, and Thunderbolt 4 on the rear expansion slots, plus a first-party stylus, all of which are backwards compatible with the earlier version.
Where the reviews differ most is value. Tom's Hardware argues that a fully configured Laptop 12 costs $200–$300 more than rivals like the MacBook Neo and Dell XPS 13, and questions whether repairability justifies the premium. Engadget acknowledges the 'RAMpocalypse premium' and the painful 8GB base RAM, but still rates the laptop 8.4/10, saying the performance fix makes it a much more compelling machine. Both agree that the $549 starting price (without memory or storage) can balloon quickly, especially in the current memory shortage.