Laptops, desktops and operating systems

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.

Price from

£799

one-off, per device · inc. VAT

Buying model

One-off purchase

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

Reseller / MSP programme

Yes

Sells through resellers and distributors

Visit Framework Laptop 13An alternative to Dell Latitude, Lenovo ThinkPad, HP EliteBook, MacBook Air

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.

Framework designs for Linux and makes parts easy to replace, but the Linux route for this model is a self-assembled DIY Edition, and the standard UK terms of sale are written for personal use.

Hardware and drivers: Framework gives official support for Ubuntu and Fedora only; other distributions rely on community testing

Likelihood Medium; Impact Medium

What it means for you
If your team prefers another distribution, Framework says it does not validate it internally. Problems with sleep, displays or docks may take longer to resolve.
How to reduce it
  • Standardise on Ubuntu or Fedora, the two distributions Framework officially supports.
  • Check Framework's Laptop 13 Linux install guide and compatibility chart for your processor generation and distribution before ordering.
  • Test one unit with your real docks, monitors, printers and headsets before a wider rollout.
What's left
New kernel or firmware releases can still change behaviour, so keep a test machine for updates.

Hardware and drivers: This model is not the one Framework names as Canonical-certified

Likelihood High; Impact Low

What it means for you
Framework's business page says the Laptop 13 Pro is its first laptop certified by Canonical for Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, with pre-built Ubuntu configurations. That statement does not cover the Laptop 13.
How to reduce it
  • If you need a certified, pre-installed Ubuntu laptop, compare the Laptop 13 Pro before buying.
  • If you choose the Laptop 13, use an officially supported distribution and record a tested build.
What's left
You carry more of the testing yourself than with a certified model.

Skills and training: Linux machines come as a DIY Edition that your IT team assembles and installs

Likelihood High; Impact Low

What it means for you
Framework sells the Laptop 13 pre-built with Windows 11, or as a DIY Edition where you bring your own memory, storage and operating system and build it yourself. Each Linux laptop needs hands-on set-up time.
How to reduce it
  • Build and document one reference machine, then script the operating system install.
  • Use an MSP that has built Framework DIY Editions before, and ask for references.
What's left
Set-up time per machine stays higher than unboxing a pre-installed laptop.

Security and compliance evidence: The standard UK terms of sale are written for personal use

Likelihood High; Impact 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.
How to reduce it
  • Before buying a fleet, contact Framework's business team (business@frame.work) and ask 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 depth: Warranty repairs are mainly self-service, with a 24-hour response goal for business support

Likelihood Medium; Impact Medium

What it means for you
In the UK, the warranty lasts two years. Framework may send you a replacement part and a repair guide rather than fix the laptop, and does not pay for your labour. 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 small stock of common spare parts and one spare laptop, so a fault does not stop someone working.
  • Back up each laptop before a repair. The warranty does not cover data loss, and a repair may mean reinstalling the operating system.
  • Train one person, or agree with your MSP, 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.

Supply and lead times: Configurations can be out of stock when you come to order

Likelihood Medium; Impact Medium

What it means for you
On 1 November 2026 every processor option on Framework's UK Laptop 13 configurator was marked "Out of stock", with pre-order by £100 deposit offered instead. In-stock orders ship within five business days, and Framework warned that deliveries to Europe were delayed by up to 7 days because of freight disruption. Delivery dates are estimates under the terms of sale.
How to reduce it
  • Always check stock levels on the day you order, and save a copy of the page.
  • Ask Framework's business team for expected ship dates in writing before you plan a rollout around them.
  • Keep current laptops in use until the new ones arrive, and allow a few extra working days for delivery to UK and EU addresses.
What's left
Stock changes from week to week, so a rollout date can move.

Total cost: No volume discounts, no demo units, and prepaid ordering

Likelihood Medium; Impact Low

What it means for you
Framework's business page says it offers no volume discounts or test laptops, and business purchases are prepaid by card, ACH or wire, or by purchase order arranged through the business team. The online shop takes up to five in-stock laptops per order; for more, Framework asks business customers to contact it.
How to reduce it
  • Buy one or two laptops first to evaluate, as Framework suggests.
  • For a large order, ask the business team about custom configurations, which Framework offers with enough lead time.
  • Build a three-year cost model that counts set-up time, spares and upgrades, and compare it like for like with your current laptops.
What's left
Upfront cost per laptop stays at list price, though longer life and part upgrades may offset it over time.

When not to switch

If you need Windows Autopilot zero-touch deployment, Framework's business page says it supports this for US customers only. If you have no in-house IT or MSP to assemble and repair laptops, a pre-installed business laptop with on-site warranty service will be simpler. If you need a certified, pre-installed Ubuntu laptop, look at the Laptop 13 Pro instead. A hybrid setup works well, buying a few Framework laptops for staff who want Linux while the rest keep their current machines.

Sources

Last reviewed 1 November 2026.