Skip to main content

I upgraded my Framework Laptop’s CPU in under 15 minutes

The Framework Laptop had quite an ambitious premise upon release — a “modular” laptop that was made to be tinkered with and upgraded. After using the device myself, I walked away convinced that Framework was onto something. At least, in theory.

The true test would come when it was time for a major upgrade, when the clever design and sustainable practices of a fully upgradable laptop could shine. And a year later, I’ve received the Intel 12th-gen Mainboard upgrade, and I’m more sold on Framework’s philosophy than ever before.

Recommended Videos

Digging in

Upgrading the Framework Laptop with the components on a table.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

My first venture with the Framework Laptop wasn’t the DIY edition, which required assembling the parts. My original review unit from 2021 came with everything in place other than the RAM and the swappable expansion ports. I was impressed already, but hadn’t gone through the full process of taking out the entire Mainboard.

The process of trading out the Mainboard was astonishingly easy. My goal was to upgrade from Intel’s 11th-gen chips to its 12th-gen, and on the Framework Laptop, that means swapping out the entire motherboard — or Mainboard, as the company calls it. My part uses the top-of-the- line option, the Core i7-1280P. This is Intel’s 25-watt CPU, found in many of the other flagship 13-inch and 14-inch laptops you’re able to buy in 2022.

The two boards look almost identical side by side. Everything is labeled beautifully, with specs and QR codes printed right on the components. It’s gorgeous.

When it comes to actually upgrading, Framework has made it a lot simpler than you might imagine. The only components that need to be removed are the RAM, SSD, and keyboard lid, though you’ll have to disconnect a handful of components too. These include the Wi-Fi module, the webcam, the display, the audio board, and the speakers. That list might sound daunting if you’ve never cracked open a laptop before. After all, it’s a lot of delicate wires to be tampering with.

The Intel 12th-gen Mainboard upgrade for the Framework Laptop.
Digital Trends

Fortunately, Framework has put together excellent instructions for every step along the way that include photos and videos. With how small these parts are, it’s helpful to know which connections involve a click or a gentle push. I never felt like I was on the verge of breaking something.

With the Framework screwdriver in hand, I was able to go step by step and pull out the old Mainboard and replace it with the new one in just under 15 minutes. That speed is not because I’m some kind of master PC builder — it’s because Framework has made this easier than I ever could have imagined.

Now, that’s not to say this doesn’t involve some care. If you have any experience building or upgrading your own PC, all of this will be easy. I didn’t run into anything that tripped me up, but there are a few very small tabs and connections (the speakers, in particular) that do require a steady hand. There are a couple of screws that also need to come out, and the rest involves the careful disconnecting of wires.

But really, I’m convinced that the average person on the street could probably sit down with the Framework Laptop and upgrade it themselves. The instructions and simplified process really are that good.

The promise holds true

 

So yes, upgrading the Framework Laptop from one generation of processors up to the next is incredibly easy. But it’s the larger vision that matters here.

The Framework Laptop was created, from what I can tell, to disrupt the current system of creating and buying laptops. By the time someone is considering upgrading their laptop, the majority of the components of the device are still intact. Maybe it’s the processor that got out of date, or maybe the old battery doesn’t hold a charge quite how it did. As I experienced with upgrading to the 12th-gen Mainboard, that vision is being realized.

Of course, that’s not the situation Framework probably imagines. Upgrading your processor every year is probably a waste of money, but if you want to upgrade it three or four years down the road, that’ll represent a meaningful bump up in performance.

Remember — the Framework Laptop is a product meant to last much longer than your average laptop, allowing you to upgrade it à la carte through the Framework marketplace. Being able to easily swap out processors feels almost magical, and it’s only the beginning. If someone bought the Framework Laptop in 2021, it’s not hard to imagine happily holding on to it many, many years from now.

The Framework Laptop on a white table.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The only real problem is the price. The Core i7-1280P Mainboard costs $1,049, which is already the price of a laptop on its own. And remember, that’s on top of the initial cost of the laptop. For my money, I’d opt for the Core i7-1260P, which is $349 cheaper. These aren’t exactly high-performance processors anyways, so I doubt you’d notice that different in performance in your daily workflow. These high prices do make upgrading a harder pill to swallow. If it costs almost the same to upgrade as it does to buy a brand new laptop, the Framework Laptop ecosystem is going to be a harder sell.

But based on the premise alone, it’s hard not to cheer for the Framework Laptop. I don’t expect it to save the world, but if it even inspires some of the bigger players in the space to find new ways to cut down on e-waste, I’ll count it as a victory.

Luke Larsen
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Luke Larsen is the Senior Editor of Computing, managing all content covering laptops, monitors, PC hardware, Macs, and more.
The Framework Laptop 16 is officially my most anticipated laptop
A top down view of the Framework Laptop 16 against a blue backdrop.

Framework has announced a new addition to its lineup of modular, repairable laptops -- the Framework Laptop 16. It's far from just a larger version of the Framework Laptop 13, though. It takes the idea of modularity to the next level, adding a number of new expansion systems that can be customized to your heart's content -- especially for those who need more powerful graphics.

Before we get to those neat expansion systems, though, just take a look at this design. The two-tone design takes the best of an Alienware gaming laptop and a MacBook Pro, while still feeling totally fresh. I dig it.

Read more
Intel’s 24-core laptop CPU might outclass desktop i9 processors
A render of Intel's H-series mobile processors.

Intel is pushing laptop CPU core counts to places they've never been before. The company announced its 13th-gen Raptor Lake mobile processors at CES 2023, including the flagship Core i9-13980HX which includes a massive 24 cores that could top the list of the best Intel processors.

That sounds insane considering even AMD's desktop Ryzen 9 7950X only comes with 16 cores. But Intel's cores aren't all built equally. Like the previous generation, 13th-gen mobile Raptor Lake processors include a combination of performance (P) cores and efficient (E) cores. The most powerful chips in the range come with 24 cores, but they're split across eight P-cores and 16 E-cores.

Read more
CPU confusion made buying a laptop in 2022 a nightmare
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 top down view showing vPro label.

There's nothing wrong with creating stratification whereby products are designed and priced to meet specific user needs. Automakers are masters of it, with less expensive cars meeting basic needs and luxury cars for those with the means to enjoy the best automobile technology has to offer. In 2022, however, CPU manufacturers blew it, creating a confusing mess that made choosing a laptop more difficult than it should have been. And by "CPU manufacturers," we primarily mean Intel.

Don't misunderstand me: Intel's 12th-gen product lines themselves make sense on paper. There are low-power chips to save energy and costs and high-power chips to maximize performance at a premium price. But when placed in actual laptops, the distinction was far less clear than it should have been.
It's so complicated

Read more