Doing the right thing comes at a cost

Earlier this year, the framework announced that it was making A smaller laptop, 12 inches and The desktop is fat To go alongside notes 13 and 16 -inch notebooks. After a few months, and The previous has arrivedAnd put the same repairable laptop in a slightly smaller body. Unlike its greatest siblings, the 12 -year -old laptop is a 12.2 -inch touch screen in brightly colored plastic. It targets students, focusing on the durability and quality that you will not see in the usual machines you find at the top of the deal list. My initial impression is that it is a charming piece of equipment, but I immediately wonder about the number of children in the school they will actually get this thing, given that it is much more than its competitors.

The 12 laptop is the first fully covered frame machine in ABS, available in black, pink, lavender, gray and green. Once the package opens, its charm will immediately take its appearance and feel it in view of its difference from the rest of the market. The Green and White Review Unit (which the company “Sage”) highlights the crowd almost virtually. The founder of the Nairrav Patel framework has long been dreaming of the transparent and colorful aesthetics in the color of the Nintendo game. Here, the 12 OLPC XO or one of the “Leapfrog” computers that glows when you don’t search.

Its imprint is not very smaller than 13 inches, but because it does not decrease like his older brother, he feels a lot. The structure contains a metal frame wearing two layers of plastic, which is the company, will take all the shocks and bumps you throw. It also contains the same quadruple of expansion cards, which are now available in a variety of colors if you want to match things (or clash). In addition, all of these cards can be shared with other tire machines because they are all, with a uniform size.

I learned the framework clearly from making its largest devices, adding several adjustments to the quality of life to 12 for daily use and repair. People who open and close the framework computer will regularly discover changes that make things very easier. To start, the input cover is placed with more screws (eight, compared to the 13th five), which balances tension better across the surface area. The input cover is now covered in grooves at the front of the deck, which is easy to place from 13. Most importantly, the input cover is connected to the main plate via Poggo pins instead of the tape cable. I don’t think I have absolutely hurt the tape cable myself, but this always worries if someone tries to get rid of the cap without separating it first from the main painting.

Instead of SSD tightening in place, Framework is now using a detailed plastic clip that you press to secure the drive. Likewise, there is a low -peak plastic cap to protect the RAM, with a large printed reminder of his heart again once DIMM is installed. Of course, changing the layout of the plate, as with the battery – to a smaller cell and 50wh – thus the main and battery plate will not work with its little older brother.

(Aside: If you are an amateur in the hope that the 12 -inch main plate will be a large 13 -inch smaller to create smaller projects, you expect you to be disappointed. It’s smaller, but not so much that you may not prefer to use a 13 -inch model instead.)

The power button was transferred from the keyboard to the right side of the deck, next to the expansion card openings. There is no fingerprint reader, and it is one of the many overlooks that you can attribute to “save costs” or “this is a for children” or both of them.

Possible buyers get the choice of Core i3-1315u of the thirteenth generation or Core i5-1334u, which can support up to 48 GB of RAM DDR5, albeit only in DDR5-5200 slower. You can throw M

Patel is known enough for keyboards and tracking tools so that you do not mess with what it succeeds, and what people like. The keyboard and the touch plate are strong and enjoyable to use it as you find it in a 13 -inch style. I am not sure yet, but I may prefer writing a 12 -inch keyboard compared to 13, perhaps because of the first construction of plastic, and a little correct keying.

This device has been presented as a better, longer and more sustainable alternative to laptops with dirt that is sold to children and students. But although everything was already mentioned is more than good enough, we soon start knowing where edges were made to save costs. This is the first touch screening frame, which has an area of ​​12.2 inches, 1920 x 1,200 shiny LCD screen with the brightness of the maximum amount of 400 networks. In short, it’s the same type of screen that you will find on a lot of low -laptops, and thus set your expectations accordingly. Luminity is a professional risk given that it is a touch screen, but the weakest rear lighting means that you will deal with the usual high reflections and washing width in bright light.

Framework is currently developing its own pen, but until it is launched, the laptop is compatible with the USI 2.0 or MPP 2.0. You will have your own source now, and for the review, I was provided with Metapen m2 For testing. However, I found that the pen experience is more than somewhat frustrated, with palm trees a big problem. It needs a tablet – and I am sure that it will be treated quickly – given how many times I opened a list or closed a window with the body on the side of my hand.

Likewise, the 2 -megapixel web camera is a big step down from the 9.2 -megapixel sensor in the 13 -inch. Again, you can expect the same videos that has been was heavy, and you will find in many low -cost laptop cameras.

Framework has improved sound quality over the past few years, but the size of the 12 -year -old structure is a specific factor. A pair of 2W loudspeakers here young and calm even in the full size, but at least does not violate or vibrate with heavy shoes.

My Core I5 ​​review unit is equipped with 16 GB RAM, and it was more than one able to deal with the type of things you expect to do on a device of this category. Writing the largest part of this review, watching videos, displaying pictures and switching, all within the reach of this device. Hell, until I managed to get Hardspace: Shipbreaker To play, but not well, and ” Fortnite It doesn’t work, it’s Janky enough so that it is not worth the time. Once again, the modified drivers may arrange these problems, but I think this device does not have enough marrow for players in the torment room.

Of course, it’s a framework computer, so you can already guess the main issue that emerges whenever the silicone is placed under pregnancy. As usual, the fan noise is somewhat noticeable when the temperature of the devices rises, and I do not recommend this thing in your lap. You must expect to connect this thing throughout your time using it, because the battery life is not excellent. If you use this to run any type of applications or the required game, you will not get more than four hours for one charge.

Pricing and competition

Currently, you can only buy the pre -designed version in black, with the DIY version the only place you can choose the color of the structure. It is available in gray, lavender, bubbleGum and Sage, and I strongly recommend selecting any of these options on standard black. The pre-version starts from 799 dollars with Intel Core i3-1315u, 8 GB of RAM, 512 GB SSD and Windows 11. If you want to move to the high performance model with i5-1334u, 16 GB and 512 GB SSD, it will restore you 1049 dollar. On the other hand, you can pick up the DIY version for $ 549 (for i3) or $ 699 (for i5), leaving you to the source of your RAM, SSD and OS.

I will admit that I am suffering to determine what the 12th competitors are, because this is a difficult machine. when DeclareThe company said it is an alternative to the type of laptops for beginners who have been purchased for children and students, which are “ground, closed, can be eliminated, frankly and frankly, boring.” This means that it is going against $ 500 notebooks and chrome boxesProverbs you will usually find for sale in Best Buy. Those that, as you know, have a good reputation even a week after the warranty expires, which leaves you out of the pocket until the next sale.

From a utilitarian perspective, the highest price is compensated by knowing this He should Each other computer excels in your children’s group. Not only is solid and repaired, but you should be able to switch the main plate within two or three years to keep pace with technology. However, through the same utilitarian argument, you can easily capture a framework that has been easily renovated 13 Core i5-1340p, when available, for only $ 779.

conclusion

I am in love with the 12th Framework PC because I can see it easily in my life when I am on the plane. It is cute, well -looking and small enough, you can easily throw it into a bag when you are in a hurry. The durability of the structure and the repair capacity, in addition to the expansion cards, means that they should work for years and years. It is fun! I love the idea of ​​a small laptop that stands out against endless rows of black or silver aluminum books.

These laptops are dirt that are designed with low parts and sold to children and students for $ 300 or so not good for anything. If you want quality, you will need to cough for that, and this will continue at least for years without endless alternatives.

but. It gives me limited performance and the battery life here is a temporary stop and I am not sure Fortnite It will be very common. My Amalhi told me that the framework frame was intending to sell this for less before the tariffs exceeded the prices beyond what is logical. But as a result, the framework laptop falls between two stools: not cheap enough to be convincing to buyers sensitive to prices and are not strong enough for people who have larger budgets. Unless you have a SSD backup, RAM and Windows, kicking around which the cost will fall to the price of stickers. The digestive channel told me that the real audience of this laptop will be an adult looking for a second strange device to go.