Latest news with #Framework13
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Framework Stops Selling Base-Model Laptops, Citing Trump's Taiwan Tariffs
PCMag editors select and review products independently. If you buy through affiliate links, we may earn commissions, which help support our testing. In a sign of how Trump's tariffs will affect the PC industry, Framework Computer says it has no choice but to temporarily discontinue the base models of its upgradable laptops in the US. The company cites Trump's reciprocal tariffs on Taiwan, where its laptops are manufactured. "We priced our laptops when tariffs on imports from Taiwan were 0%. At a 10% tariff, we would have to sell the lowest-end SKUs at a loss,' the San Francisco-based company tweeted. Framework's US website has hit pause on offering the base-model Framework 13 laptop with an Intel Ultra 5 125H or AMD Ryzen 5 7640U, which previously started at $899 and $999, respectively, for the prebuilt edition. In a Reddit post, Framework said six models are temporarily discontinued. Its website now shows the base model for the prebuilt editions start at $1,099 for AMD and $1,399 for Intel. Framework faces more cost pressures. Taiwan's tariff rate is set to rise to 32% on Wednesday, when the reciprocal tariffs go into effect. Framework didn't immediately respond to a request for comment, so it's unclear if the company is considering price increases. In the meantime, the vendor claims that rival PC makers are also delisting lower-priced products in response to Trump's tariffs. 'Other consumer goods makers have performed the same calculations and taken the same actions, though most have not been open about it,' Framework said, without naming vendors. So far, the larger PC vendors, including Dell and HP, have been quiet on the potential tariff impact. But smaller boutique shops and analysts say price hikes are inevitable since PC parts are largely made and imported from Asia. Meanwhile, Nintendo has delayed preorders for the Switch 2 in the US to assess the tariff impact. Much of the company's hardware is made in Vietnam and Cambodia, which are facing a tariff rate at 46% and 49%, respectively.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Framework takes aim at 'janky, locked-down, disposable, underpowered, and frankly, boring' entry-level laptops with its new 12-inch touchscreen
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. What's in an inch? We've already got the great Framework 13 laptop, so why does the company believe the world needs a Framework 12 laptop as well? Well, it's not just a smaller version of its current machine, this is a new touchscreen convertible notebook, but one that's been specifically created to be an entry level laptop for "students and young people around the world." Traditionally, affordable, entry-level machines can feel cheap and not always particularly cheerful. And Framework is particularly excoriating about this category of PC. "We build products to fix what we see as a broken industry," reads the new Framework blogpost, "and few categories are as emblematic of the problems with consumer electronics as entry-level laptops. "They tend to be janky, locked-down, disposable, underpowered, and frankly, boring machines. Shamefully, these are the products that PC brands market for use by students and young people around the world. Instead, we believe these are the people who most need thoughtfully designed, long-lasting computers." The idea then is to bring Framework's design ethos into a smaller, cheaper, "more flexible" shape, and one that also comes in a range of colors, too. I will say, I'm into the pastel tones of these new little laptops; the bubblegum one is my jam. It's not just a pretty facade, either, with the two-tone look the result of an over-moulding process which improves the durability of the device using "shock-absorbing TPU over rigid PC/ABS with an inner metal structure for robustness." Image 1 of 2 Image 2 of 2 It's also claimed to be the company's "easiest product ever to repair" but right now we don't exactly know what that means. So far, we only have this small preview about the new touchscreen machines, so there's no images detailing what's inside them, but presumably Framework will be re-using the same mainboard design to keep costs down. It has said it will be fitting 13th Gen Core i3 and Core i5 chips into these machines, which ought to make them pretty powerful devices despite being a few generations old. Along with that there will be support for up to 48 GB of DDR5-5200 and 2 TB SSDs, with a 12-inch 1920 x 1200 touchscreen display with an impressive 400 nits peak luminance. And you can have your choice of Windows 11 or Linux, too. Pre-orders for the Framework 12 open in April, and we'll likely get a better idea of what's inside the machines as we get closer to that date, with deliveries expected to be in the summer of 2025. Best gaming PC: The top pre-built gaming laptop: Great devices for mobile gaming.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Yahoo
Framework updates its 13-inch laptop with AMD's Ryzen 300 AI series chips
It's a little weird to talk about Framework 'launching' a new laptop given it just makes the same machine over and over again. That, of course, is the point, since it's building a fleet of modular, upgradeable and repairable machines that eliminate unnecessary e-waste. Let's agree that while launching isn't the right word, it is how we'll describe the advent of the updated AMD edition of the Framework 13, which now comes with the Ryzen AI 300 on board. Naturally, the big news is the fancier AMD unit welded to the mainboard, which boasts dramatically improved AI performance for Microsoft Copilot+. But Framework has made its usual series of nips and tucks, adding Wi-Fi 7, a new thermal system, improved keyboard and new color options. As usual, all of these features can be bolted onto any existing Framework 13 when required. One of the biggest issues for every Framework 13 so far has been the cooling — the tiny fans have to work overtime whenever the system gets taxed. So the advent of the new mainboard also sees a(nother) attempt at keeping the silicon far cooler than it has been before. Open this up and you'll find a new single 10mm heat pipe paired with Honeywell's PTM7958 thermal paste which, it's hoped, will ensure you can hear yourself think over your laptop. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. If you recall from the previous AMD Framework 13, there was an issue with what standards each port supported. The situation is a little clearer here, since the rear ports support USB 4, while the forward ones both have USB 3.2 plus DisplayPort. We explored this in greater detail at the time, but the situation remains mildly annoying if you forget what can go where. Framework has also very gently tweaked the keyboard to address an issue with rigidity with the wide keys, like shift and the spacebar. If you buy a Windows 11 model, you'll also have a Copilot key printed on it — but Framework reminds you it's possible to buy a DIY edition without one, too. Rounding out the changes is the advent of injection molded packaging, which enables Framework to sell you transparent hardware. It will now sell you a transparent bezel, as well as translucent purple, green and black options for greater customization. Plus, you'll be able to pick up many of the expansion cards clad in transparent plastic, too, not just the ethernet expansion card — letting you relive your dream of owning the coolest Game Boy ever made. The new Framework Laptop 13 with AMD's Ryzen AI 300 series starts at $800 for the DIY edition and $1,099 for pre-built. Naturally, that price can go all sorts of places depending on how much gear you choose to throw on top of what comes as standard. Pre-orders are open today with shipments due to begin in April. Plus, the company will sell you the older Ryzen 7040 model for $749 — with CEO Nirav Patel saying this isn't just a while stocks last deal, but as a way to lower the entry price for new buyers.
