The new Framework 12 laptop's secret weapon is its battery life courtesy of Intel's Wildcat Lake
Plus some extra goodies like a backlit keyboard.
Framework has unveiled an upgraded version of its Framework 12 laptop, boasting enhanced battery life. Despite retaining the same 50 Wh battery, the new model is powered by Intel's Wildcat Lake processors. This entry-level, two-in-one laptop is primarily designed for study and light tasks. Previously, the Framework 12 utilized low-power Raptor Lake-U (13th Gen) processors, but the new models will feature Wildcat Lake, or Core Series 3, processors.
The Framework 12 offers various configurations, with pricing starting at $549 for the Core 3 option, which includes a clock speed of 4.3 GHz, 1 P + 4 LPE cores, and a maximum clock speed of 4.3 GHz. The Core 5 and Core 7 options, with clock speeds of 4.6 GHz and 4.8 GHz respectively, will set you back $779 and $999. While these processors may not handle heavy productivity tasks or gaming, they should be sufficient for regular use.
Framework claims that the switch to Wildcat Lake significantly improves battery life. They assert that web browsing will see a 57% increase in battery life, while streaming Netflix will gain 70% more hours. These claims are supported by Framework's comparison with the battery life of Panther Lake processors, which, despite using a different design, operate on the same 18A node.
Other enhancements include Wi-Fi 7, a backlit keyboard, Thunderbolt 4, a fingerprint reader, and pre-installed Fedora Linux. While installing Linux may not be overly complicated, the inclusion of Fedora pre-installed is a welcome feature for those seeking a straightforward laptop experience. Despite these improvements, the Framework 12 retains its convertible, two-in-one design.
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