Framework Laptop 12 pre-orders start at $549 in the US

By now, you’ve probably heard of Framework, the company that’s been shaking up the laptop world with its modular, repairable designs. They’ve been on a mission to make computers that don’t end up as glorified paperweights after a couple of years, and earlier this year, they set their sights on the entry-level market with the Framework Laptop 12. It’s their first 12-inch laptop, their first 2-in-1 touchscreen device, and—true to form—it’s designed to be tinkered with, upgraded, and loved for the long haul. But here’s the catch: “entry-level” doesn’t always mean “cheap,” and with new U.S. tariffs throwing a wrench into the works, Framework’s latest offering is hitting the market with a price tag that might make you pause.

Let’s break it down. Framework just kicked off pre-orders for the Laptop 12 in the UK, Europe, and Canada, with prices starting at £499, €569, and $719 CAD. And as of today, April 10th, 2025, U.S. pre-orders are live too, starting at $549. That’s a far cry from the $1,000+ starting prices of Framework’s bigger Laptop 13 or Laptop 16 models, which makes it their most affordable machine yet. But—and this is a big but—that $549 gets you the bare bones. No storage, no RAM, no ports, no operating system. Just the chassis, the screen, and the promise of endless customization. If you want a prebuilt version that’s ready to roll out of the box, you’re looking at £749, €849, or $1,079 CAD. Suddenly, we’re creeping closer to the price territory of Framework’s other laptops—and a good bit higher than the sub-$300 Chromebooks or budget Windows machines you can snag online.

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So why would anyone shell out that kind of cash for the Laptop 12? For starters, it’s not just a laptop—it’s a statement. Framework’s whole deal is about repairability and longevity, and they’ve got a track record to back it up. Unlike the big-name brands that glue and solder their machines shut, Framework builds laptops you can actually fix. Cracked screen? Swap it out. Need more power five years from now? Pop in a new motherboard. They’ve even made good on letting owners upgrade their original Intel-based laptops with shiny new AMD guts. It’s the kind of thing that appeals to tinkerers, sustainability buffs, and anyone who’s ever cursed a “disposable” gadget. Plus, the Laptop 12’s got a playful side—its 2-in-1 design means the screen flips all the way back, and it comes in fun colors like mint and pink (though you’ll need to go DIY to get those hues).

But let’s talk specs, because that’s where things get interesting. The base $549 (£499/€569) model rocks a 13th Gen Intel Core i3-1315U—a six-core chip from 2023 that’s solid but not exactly cutting-edge. Want something with a bit more oomph? You can bump up to a 10-core i5-1334U for an extra £150 or so. The prebuilt version, starting at £749, comes with the i3, 8GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD—perfectly respectable for everyday tasks like browsing, streaming, or light productivity. If you want the i5 and 16GB of RAM, though, you’re shelling out another £200. It’s a modular machine, sure, but Framework’s betting you’re okay with older tech in exchange for that touchscreen versatility.

Oh, and about that touchscreen—this is a 2-in-1, so it’s built for stylus action. Framework teased a color-matched stylus with a removable battery when they first showed off the Laptop 12, but it’s not ready yet. They say it’s coming “soon” and will be sold separately. In the meantime, they’ve got you covered with compatibility for any USI 2.0 or MPP 2.0 stylus, and it’ll play nice with both Windows and Linux. It’s a small detail, but it’s classic Framework: flexible, open, and a little DIY.

Now, about those colors. If you’re picturing a mint-green or bubblegum-pink laptop to match your vibe, you’ll need to opt for the DIY edition, where you assemble most of it yourself (don’t worry, it’s not as scary as it sounds—Framework ships it mostly prebuilt). The prebuilt models, at least for now, are only available in sleek, safe black. It’s a bummer if you were hoping to flex some personality right out of the gate, but it’s a minor gripe in the grand scheme of things.

Shipping-wise, Framework’s aiming to get the first DIY batches out in June 2025, with prebuilt models following in July. That’s a few months away, but it’s par for the course with Framework—they’re a small outfit, and they’ve had to navigate supply chain hiccups before. Speaking of hiccups, those new U.S. tariffs under the Trump administration have already caused some headaches. Framework briefly paused pre-orders for the Laptop 12 in the U.S. and even halted sales of their other budget-friendly options, like the Factory Seconds laptops that start under $500. The fact that they’re pushing forward with a $549 starting price now suggests they’ve found a way to make it work, but it’s a reminder of how global trade can mess with even the best-laid plans.

So, is the Framework Laptop 12 worth it? If you’re the kind of person who just wants a cheap laptop to check email and watch Netflix, probably not—there are plenty of $300 options out there that’ll do the trick. But if you’re into the idea of a machine you can repair, upgrade, and maybe even pass down someday, Framework’s got something special here. It’s not the fastest or the flashiest, but it’s built to last in a way most laptops aren’t. And in a world where tech companies love to lock you in and throw away the key, that’s a pretty compelling pitch.

For now, pre-orders are live, and the clock’s ticking if you want to snag one of the first batches. Whether you’re a DIY diehard or just curious about a laptop that flips and fixes itself, the Framework Laptop 12 might just be the entry-level experiment you didn’t know you needed.