Back in February the Framework Laptop 12 was announced as the company’s first 2-in-1 convertible laptop while still being well-built and upgrade-friendly/modular as we have come to enjoy out of their various Linux-friendly laptops. Today the review embargo lifts on the Framework Laptop 12 and thus can share our initial impressions on this Intel-powered 12-inch laptop.
The Framework Laptop 12 is a 12.2-inch convertible laptop with touchscreen support and optional stylus whether you want to treat it as a mini Linux laptop or as needed convert to a Linux tablet. Windows 11 remains, of course, supported but all of my testing the past week and a half has been under Linux: predominantly Ubuntu 25.04 but also Fedora Workstation 42.
The Framework Laptop 12 is upgrade-friendly with modular/replaceable hardware just like what we have come to enjoy out of the Framework Laptop 13 and Framework Laptop 16 models. But unlike the larger laptops is in a 2-in-1 convertible design with a 360-degree hinge.
The build quality on the Framework Laptop 12 is very nice and complies with MIL-STD-810 durability standards. It’s not too thick yet not too thin and is the right balance of portability and durability. In fact, one of the better feeling convertible devices I have tested over the years at Phoronix.
The Framework Laptop 12 components are replaceable from the motherboard to the single channel RAM, WiFi, battery, and other components. Plus all of the I/O ports are replaceable too just like the other Framework Laptop models.
From a build quality and upgrade perspective, the Framework Laptop 12 is a very nice and rugged convertible laptop. Let’s move on to talking more about the performance characteristics and capabilities of the Framework Laptop 12.
