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Guide

Framework Laptop 13 or 13 Pro for Linux laptops at work

Both are repairable 13-inch laptops from the same company. The 13 Pro costs more and comes pre-built with certified Ubuntu; the Laptop 13 costs less if your IT team builds each one.

Published 2 November 2026

Framework makes both laptops, and both are designed to be opened, repaired and upgraded by your own IT team. The choice comes down to three things: whether you want Ubuntu pre-installed and certified, how much set-up time you can give each machine, and whether you can wait for a new model.

The short answer

  • Choose the 13 Pro if you want laptops that arrive with Ubuntu installed, on hardware Canonical has certified, and you can wait for delivery. Framework says it is its first laptop certified by Canonical for Ubuntu 24.04 LTS.
  • Choose the Laptop 13 if you’re happy to build and install each laptop yourself, want the lower price, or need a model that isn’t on pre-order.

Side by side

Prices are Framework’s UK starting prices for the DIY Edition, VAT included, as shown on 1 November 2026. The DIY Edition comes without memory, storage, charger or operating system unless you add them.

Laptop 13 Laptop 13 Pro
Starting price (DIY Edition) £799, Intel Core Ultra Series 1 (AMD Ryzen AI 300 Series from £849) £1,199, Intel Core Ultra Series 3 (AMD Ryzen AI 300 Series from £1,399)
Ways to buy DIY Edition, or pre-built with an operating system DIY Edition, or pre-built with Windows or Ubuntu
Ubuntu certified by Canonical Not stated by Framework Yes, Ubuntu 24.04 LTS
Display 13.5-inch matte: 2.2K at 60Hz, or 2.8K at 120Hz 2.8K touchscreen
Memory AMD version: DDR5-5600 modules, up to 96GB offered LPCAMM2 LPDDR5X, up to 64GB offered
Battery Not stated on the configuration page 74Wh; Framework states 20 hours of battery life
Charger offered 60W 100W
Ports 4 Expansion Card slots 4 Expansion Card bays
Ordering Up to five in-stock laptops per online order Pre-order, one laptop per pre-order, £100 deposit

Both offer SanDisk PCIe 4.0 drives (the 13 Pro adds PCIe 5.0 options), Windows 11 Home or Pro as an extra, and a British English keyboard.

What the 13 Pro adds

The 13 Pro is the model Framework aims at business fleets. Its pre-built Ubuntu configurations ship ready to deploy, and Framework delivers firmware updates through LVFS, so an IT team can roll out BIOS updates with the same tools it uses for the rest of an Ubuntu fleet. If you run another distribution, the DIY Edition lets you install your own; Framework officially supports Ubuntu and Fedora.

Where the Laptop 13 is the better buy

The Laptop 13 starts £400 lower, and its AMD version offers more memory. For a team that already builds and images its own machines, the DIY Edition’s extra set-up time may cost less than the price difference. Framework officially supports Ubuntu and Fedora on it too, and publishes a Linux install guide and compatibility chart for it.

Always check stock before you order

For a fleet, when the laptops arrive can matter as much as what’s inside them. Check stock and batch dates on Framework’s site on the day you order, and save a copy of the page.

  • In-stock configurations ship within five business days. On 1 November 2026, though, every processor option for the Laptop 13 was out of stock, with pre-orders offered instead, and Framework warned that deliveries to Europe were delayed by up to 7 days.
  • Pre-orders ship in numbered batches. Framework’s 13 Pro page shows earlier batches moved by one to two months, and shows the old date next to the new one. Since October 2026 Framework ships each configuration as soon as it’s ready, so laptops in one order may arrive on different days.
  • Configurations can change before shipping. In July 2026, short of memory, Framework changed pre-ordered 64GB 13 Pro configurations beyond its early batches to 32GB, at the 32GB price. Confirm what will ship before the final payment; until then you can cancel for a full refund of the deposit.
  • Parts for a new model normally go on sale only after its pre-orders are complete, Framework staff say. Plan spares for the 13 Pro with that in mind.

Buying for a business

The same buying terms apply to both models:

  • Framework sells to resellers and distributors, so an MSP can supply either model. Contact business@frame.work.
  • Business purchases are prepaid by card, ACH or wire, or by purchase order arranged through the business team.
  • There are no volume discounts. For large orders, with enough lead time, Framework will agree custom configurations of processor, memory, storage and operating system.
  • Framework recommends buying one or two to evaluate first.

Read the risks below before you order: they apply to both models unless they name one.

Options covered in this guide

Framework Laptop 13

A thin, light 13.5-inch laptop designed to be customised, upgraded and repaired, sold pre-built with Windows 11 or as a DIY Edition you assemble yourself and run Linux on.

From £799 one-off, per device · inc. VATRisk Medium

Framework Laptop 13 Pro

Framework's business-focused 13-inch laptop, designed to be repaired and upgraded, sold pre-built with Windows or Ubuntu, or as a DIY Edition. It is Framework's first laptop certified by Canonical for Ubuntu 24.04 LTS.

From £1,199 one-off, per device · inc. VATRisk Medium

Risks and mitigations

Overall adoption risk: Medium

For a 10 to 100 person UK business with in-house IT or an MSP, moving some staff to Linux laptops.

Either model can work well for a Linux fleet; the risks that remain are about buying terms, repairs your team carries out, and, for the 13 Pro, waiting for a new model.

Security and compliance evidenceFramework's standard UK terms of sale are written for personal use, for both models

Likelihood HighImpact Medium

What it means for you
The UK terms say Framework sells to consumers for personal use, and exclude liability for lost profit or business interruption if you use the laptops for business. Choosing the 13 Pro does not change this.
How to reduce it
  • Before buying more than a pilot, ask Framework's business team (business@frame.work) which terms apply to a business order or purchase order, and with which company.
  • Keep the written answer with your purchase records.
What's left
Unless Framework agrees other terms, business buyers rely on the same terms as consumers.

Support depthRepairs are mainly done by your own team, whichever model you choose

Likelihood MediumImpact Medium

What it means for you
In the UK, the warranty lasts two years. Framework may send a replacement part and a repair guide rather than repair the laptop, and its business support channel aims to respond within 24 hours.
How to reduce it
  • Register as a business customer so requests reach the business support team.
  • Keep a few common spare parts and one spare laptop.
  • Agree with your MSP, or train one person, to carry out repairs using Framework's published guides.
What's left
The warranty describes replacement parts or a mail-in repair, not on-site visits, so someone on your side does most repairs.

Skills and trainingThe Laptop 13's Linux route means building and installing each laptop yourself

Likelihood HighImpact Low

What it means for you
Laptop 13 pre-built machines come with an operating system pre-installed; for Linux you buy the DIY Edition, fit the memory and storage, and install the distribution. The 13 Pro offers Ubuntu pre-installed instead.
How to reduce it
  • If you choose the Laptop 13, build one reference machine, document it, and script the install for the rest.
  • If set-up time matters more than price, choose the 13 Pro pre-built with Ubuntu.
What's left
Each DIY laptop still needs hands-on time before it reaches a desk.

Supply and lead timesStock and batch dates can change between ordering and delivery, for both models

Likelihood HighImpact Medium

What it means for you
On 1 November 2026 Laptop 13 configurations were out of stock, and the 13 Pro was on pre-order with a £100 deposit, one laptop per pre-order, in a batch shown as shipping in January. Earlier 13 Pro batches moved by one to two months. A rollout planned around a date on the shop page can slip.
How to reduce it
  • Always check stock levels and batch dates on the day you order, and save a copy of the page.
  • Talk to Framework's business team before ordering more than one or two, and get expected ship dates for each configuration in writing.
  • Pilot with one or two laptops and keep current laptops in use until the rest arrive.
What's left
Delivery dates are estimates under the terms of sale.

Total costThe 13 Pro starts £400 higher, and neither model has volume discounts

Likelihood MediumImpact Low

What it means for you
The DIY Editions start at £799 (Laptop 13, Intel Core Ultra Series 1) and £1,199 (13 Pro, Intel Core Ultra Series 3), VAT included, before memory, storage, charger and Expansion Cards. Framework offers no volume discounts.
How to reduce it
  • Build a three-year cost model that includes the set-up time a pre-built Ubuntu 13 Pro saves, spares, and part upgrades.
  • Price complete configurations, not starting prices, before comparing.
What's left
Upfront cost per laptop stays at list price.

When not to switch

If you need laptops in hand within weeks, the 13 Pro's pre-order wait may rule it out. If you need Windows Autopilot zero-touch deployment, Framework supports it for US-based customers only. If nobody in your team or MSP can carry out repairs from parts, a business laptop with on-site warranty service will be simpler. A hybrid move works well, buying a few Framework laptops for staff who want Linux while everyone else keeps their current machines.

Sources

Last reviewed 1 November 2026.