Framework Laptop 13 Pro brings replaceable LPDDR5X RAM

On the table is not an ordinary silver office laptop, but Framework's 2026 Laptop 13 Pro, available in black for the first time. The device comes with a matte 3:2 touchscreen with a 120 Hz refresh rate, a long-lasting battery, quiet cooling and replaceable LPDDR5X RAM. Heise tested the Windows and Ubuntu versions.

Framework's concept focuses on the internals. According to the company, the motherboard dimensions do not change when a new processor generation arrives. Individual parts are available from the manufacturer's online shop. As a result, a defective component or the desire for more computing power should make it possible to buy a specific replacement, rather than automatically replacing the entire laptop.

That explains why Framework has become so visible in the Linux community. The company also sells its devices without a Windows installation and supports users running Linux. It additionally works with popular distributions to improve hardware support. According to Heise, Framework laptops now appear more frequently at community meetups and conferences than former favorites such as Lenovo's ThinkPad T series or Dell's XPS 13 Developer Edition.

So what does this change in practice? Buyers can choose between Windows and Ubuntu with this model and have the option of purchasing individual components later. This makes repairs and upgrades more predictable, provided the required parts remain available. The current test demonstrates the specifications and modular design; it does not yet show how long a single device can actually remain in use through several upgrades.

The laptop therefore remains a product for people who want to keep their hardware longer and adapt it themselves. The practical advance lies less in any individual component than in the combination of a consistent motherboard format, available replacement parts and Linux support.