The Ryzen AI 7 350 is on par with the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus or Intel Core Extremely 7 256V, give or take. It’s barely behind in single-core efficiency, as measured by Cinebench R24, and a half-step forward in multi-core. These processors aren’t identified for being a powerhouse. Relatively, the main target is all on effectivity. Right here’s the place the AMD chip is solidly in final place. Battery life on the Framework Laptop computer 13 is improved from prior fashions, but it surely’s not so long as what you get on a Snapdragon X or Core Extremely Collection 2 PC.
The sunshine battery take a look at I ran on the Laptop computer 13 lasted roughly 11 hours, looping a neighborhood video at max show brightness. That is eight to 10 hours behind a number of the competitors, exhibiting how a lot Intel, Qualcomm, and Apple have raised the bar previously 12 months. For my typical workload, real-time battery life sank to round 7 and a half hours. That’s across the identical as on the unique Framework Laptop computer 13 I examined in 2021. If battery life is your fundamental concern, it could be value ready to see if Framework introduces an Intel Core Extremely Collection 2 Mainboard.
Peripheral Woes
There are some points of the laptop computer you’ll at all times be caught with, particularly, the chassis. Laptop computer designs that take full benefit of the extra environment friendly chips sooner or later ought to end in thinner laptops with out shedding efficiency. We’re already seeing this in impact with thinner gaming laptops than ever.
{Photograph}: Luke Larsen
However it’s additionally value noting that a number of the different elements are considerably outdated as they’re proper now. The webcam is an effective instance. In 2021, when this laptop computer was first designed, 2-MP webcams at 1080p had been an excellent decision to anticipate. Many PCs are shifting to 1440p or larger, just like the latest M4 MacBook Air. Apple has been upgrading the webcam from 720p in 2020 to 1080p in 2022, and now to 12-MP in 2025. The MacBook Air at present prices the identical because the MacBook Air from 2020.
The lower-resolution display screen within the beginning configuration is outdated in comparison with the competitors as properly. My unit has a higher-resolution 2,880 x 1,920 IPS panel with a 120-Hz refresh price, which is greater than sharp, quick, and color-accurate sufficient. The matte end is nice for deflecting glare. However that’s in a configuration that prices over $1,500. For that value, many laptops provide even sharper OLED panels with considerably larger distinction, and perhaps even a touchscreen.
The excellent news is that there is a sturdy probability Framework will provide newer elements to replicate the present normal. The corporate sells webcam modules, speaker upgrades, and show kits for older machines, and there is not any motive to anticipate there will not be newer variations quickly. However these upgrades will price additional, and as soon as once more, you are placing your religion in Framework to ship.
Fortuitously, the Framework Laptop computer 13 continues to be an amazing beginning place, and it’ll be many extra years earlier than it feels actually outdated. At present, it’s greater than only a sensible reply to the issue of digital waste. It’s a very one-of-a-kind laptop computer.
