ZDNET Highlights
- The Framework Laptop 12 is a modular, DIY laptop that you build yourself, starting at $549.
- It’s portable, durable, and Linux-friendly, making it a great choice for anyone building their first laptop or looking to get the most out of a stock laptop.
- Its modest hardware is best for everyday tasks, and its display isn’t the brightest.
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There are a growing number of capable, budget-friendly Windows alternatives in 2025, but one of my top recommendations is framework laptop 12A modular, DIY 2-in-1 that you can build yourself, supporting Linux or Windows out of the box.
No matter which OS you choose, the modular nature of Framework 12 allows for a higher level of customization than a stock laptop. In addition to the brand’s distinctive colors, unique construction and good durability, you can choose your own hardware, I/O ports and even how to place them on the chassis.
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This kind of practical customization is at the heart of the Framework’s Laptop Design: challenging the assumption that laptops “need” to be built a certain way, and that it’s possible – easy, even – to shake up the status quo.
But it’s not just about customization; Framework’s laptops are designed for easy repair, with replaceable individual components contributing to the longevity of the device, rather than having to “get a new one” because your HDMI port is clogged.
Each individual part inside the laptop is marked with a QR code that links to a detailed video and/or how-to article explaining how to replace it as part of the framework’s robust library of support materials.
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Such accessible guides do much to empower users to repair their own devices, especially those who are not necessarily “computer people” but do not want to be forced to buy a new device every few years because something breaks (or an operating system ceases to be supported).
The Framework Laptop 12 is an ultraportable, heavy-duty laptop with a unique build and minimal mid-range hardware for a price that’s affordable. $549 $688 for a DIY version without an operating system (or with Windows).
If you choose the DIY version, your laptop will come unassembled, meaning you’ll need to put together all the physical components, including memory and storage, the keyboard, and all input/output ports. You’ll also need to install your own OS (which I’ll expand on shortly).
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As far as internal hardware goes, you can choose between an i3-1315U or i5-1334U CPU, two 13th Gen Intel Core processors designed for lightweight, power-efficient laptops that are geared towards everyday tasks rather than demanding, performance-driven workloads.
But, if you don’t want to go to the trouble of assembling the laptop yourself, you can opt for a pre-built model, which comes in either a “Base” or “Performance” configuration (aligned with the two processors listed above) and has the rest of the hardware pre-selected – 8GB in the Base, and 16GB in the Performance.
However, if you go with pre-made, you will miss out on the great colors, which are only available in the DIY version.
Along with the processor, you can configure the Framework Laptop 12 with 8GB of RAM up to 48GB (with additional cost, of course) and a 2TB SSD. If you have your own, you can remove these components from the bill altogether, reducing the total cost.
The 2-in-1 form factor is an added plus, allowing even more flexibility in terms of use, especially in tablet mode with a stylus or as a practical entertainment laptop in tent mode. In that sense, the Framework Laptop 12 makes a durable, customizable laptop for kids, students, or as a travel device, with the added bonus of customization and the benefits of a DIY approach.
Out of the box, the Framework laptop comes with all the components needed to get your laptop up and running and the previously mentioned components Startup Guide They are very helpful in breaking the process into digestible steps. Even if you’ve never assembled a computer before, I’m confident you can assemble a Framework laptop.
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Once things are up and running, the next step is to install your chosen operating system. If you went with Windows, I recommend including an Ethernet port among the other ports you choose. This way, you can plug your laptop directly into your modem to install and update Windows without worrying about Wi-Fi drivers.
If you want to install Linux on a Framework Laptop 12, Framework has a library Installation Guides For many distributions including Mint, NixOS, Fedora and Ubuntu. I recommend that you research ahead of time what distro you want, and familiarize yourself with the basics before jumping into a brand new laptop.
I’m a big fan of the physical build of the laptop, which measures 11.3 inches and feels durable and useful, but with a typical portable body. The MIL-STD-810 durability rating means it’s flexible enough to handle drops and bumps.
The 12-inch HD display is about average, although it sits behind some thick bezels that contribute to a slightly more budget look – I hope Framework might consider building in a more premium visual component in the future.
That said, it matches its intended use case as an ultraportable 2-in-1 for everyday tasks, especially for kids or in educational settings where it can handle a good amount of interaction.
The 50W battery life is quite good. For normal use, it can easily handle a whole day’s work on a single charge. During my testing, I got about 10 hours of battery life with Wi-Fi on, but more careful power management would increase that number.
This puts the laptop in the same company as devices like Lenovo’s 11-inch Chromebook Duet — another highly portable 2-in-1 I recommend for students — but it’s half the price and runs ChromeOS instead of a full Windows or Linux OS.
So, yes, there are plenty of competitive Windows alternatives around the same price as the Framework Laptop 12. The Lenovo Chromebook Plus, for example, is one of my favorite Chromebooks this year. Acer’s Chromebook Plus Spin 514, with a similar 2-in-1 form factor and a starting price of $549, appeals to a similar consumer.
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These stock laptops may be easy to start with out of the box, but the Framework Laptop 12 plays the long game with easy repairability, extending their life cycles, reducing e-waste and empowering the consumer in the process.
ZDNET’s shopping advice
framework laptop 12 A durable, portable small laptop with a utilitarian build. Its affordable starting price of $549 makes it a great option for anyone taking their first steps away from a stock factory laptop and/or the Windows ecosystem.
Although its display isn’t exactly the most premium, it’s still fine for its intended use case. The Framework Laptop 12 is the most portable, budget-friendly in the brand’s lineup, with modest hardware for everyday tasks, students, or as a secondary travel device. If you’re looking for a DIY laptop with more performance-driven hardware, check out this framework laptop 13Or framework laptop 16,
