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Framework Laptop 12 pre-orders were planned for April 9, 2025—but U.S. orders opened April 10

By TheFinanceBase Team 6 min read

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Framework originally planned to open Laptop 12 pre-orders on April 9, 2025, at 8 a.m. Pacific Time. However, U.S. pre-orders were delayed by tariff uncertainty and opened on April 10 at 9 a.m. Pacific. The compact 12.2-inch convertible started at $549 for a bare-bones DIY configuration and $799 for a pre-built model.

This is now a released product rather than an upcoming pre-order. Framework’s current product pages list Laptop 12 configurations as available to order, although delivery varies by model, color, keyboard layout, region, and stock.

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What happened to the April 9 pre-order date?

Framework announced Laptop 12 on April 2, 2025, and said pre-orders would open on April 9 at 8 a.m. Pacific Time. That date remained relevant for supported markets outside the United States, but Framework postponed U.S. orders on April 9 because of uncertainty around tariffs.

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U.S. pre-orders opened the next day, April 10, 2025, at 9 a.m. Pacific Time. Framework said initial U.S. shipments were expected to begin in June 2025. The original announcement is available from Framework, while the corrected U.S. timing appears in the company’s follow-up announcement.

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So the accurate shorthand is: April 9 was the original announced date; April 10 was the final U.S. pre-order opening date.

What is Framework Laptop 12?

Laptop 12 is Framework’s smaller convertible laptop. Its 360-degree hinge allows it to work as a conventional clamshell notebook, a tent-style device, or a tablet-style touchscreen computer.

It has a 12.2-inch, 1920×1200 display with a 16:10 aspect ratio, a 60Hz refresh rate, and a rated brightness above 400 nits. The screen supports touch input and USI 2.0 and MPP 2.0 styluses.

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The laptop is positioned as a more compact and less expensive alternative to Framework’s larger Laptop 13 and Laptop 16 models. Like those products, it is designed around user repair, replaceable components, and modular ports rather than a sealed chassis.

DIY configurations were offered in Black, Gray, Lavender, Bubblegum, and Sage. Pre-built color and keyboard-layout availability can be more limited.

How much does Framework Laptop 12 cost?

Configuration Starting price What it means
DIY Edition $549 Bare-bones system; memory, storage, and operating system are not included in the base configuration
Pre-built Edition $799 Ready-to-use configuration with Windows 11, 8GB memory, 512GB storage, and a 60W USB-C power adapter
Higher-performance pre-built configuration $1,049 Higher-priced configuration listed on Framework’s comparison page

The $549 figure is therefore not the complete cost of a working Windows laptop. A DIY buyer needs compatible DDR5 memory, an M.2 2230 NVMe SSD, and an operating system. A charger may also be required, along with Expansion Cards and a stylus if those accessories are needed.

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Framework’s specifications list one SO-DIMM slot and one M.2 2230 storage slot. Buyers who need Windows can purchase a license separately, while Linux users can install a supported distribution. Framework’s Windows page lists Windows 11 Home and Pro licenses separately; prices and availability can change.

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Key Framework Laptop 12 specifications

Feature Specification
Processors 13th-generation Intel Core i3-1315U or Core i5-1334U
Graphics Integrated Intel UHD Graphics
Display 12.2-inch LCD, 1920×1200, 16:10, 60Hz, rated above 400 nits
Touch and pen Touchscreen with USI 2.0 and MPP 2.0 support
Memory One upgradeable SO-DIMM slot, up to 48GB DDR5-5200
Storage One M.2 2230 NVMe slot, configurations up to 2TB
Wireless Intel AX211 Wi-Fi 6E
Battery 50Wh
Camera 1080p webcam with a hardware privacy switch
Audio Stereo 2W speakers
Ports Four user-selectable Expansion Card slots plus 3.5mm audio
Weight 1.3kg
Dimensions 18.45 × 287 × 213.88mm
Keyboard Full-size, non-backlit keyboard with 1.5mm travel
Security No biometric reader listed

See Framework’s detailed Laptop 12 specifications for configuration-specific information.

Why the modular design matters

Replaceable memory and storage

Unlike many thin laptops, Laptop 12 does not permanently fix its memory and storage to the motherboard. Framework sells replacement parts through its Marketplace, and the design allows owners to replace or upgrade key components rather than discard the entire computer when one part fails or becomes inadequate.

That does not guarantee indefinite parts availability or a particular service life. It does, however, make ordinary upgrades and repairs more practical than they are on many compact laptops.

Customizable ports

The four Expansion Card slots let buyers choose the connections they actually use. Options include USB-C, USB-A, HDMI, DisplayPort, Ethernet, SD, microSD, and storage-related cards.

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This flexibility can reduce the need for dongles, but it also adds a cost that laptops with a fixed selection of built-in ports may not impose. Buyers should choose cards based on their existing peripherals rather than automatically purchasing every option.

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Physical privacy controls

The webcam and microphones have physical switches that electrically disable them. That is a useful privacy feature for people who want a hardware control rather than relying only on software settings.

Windows and Linux flexibility

The DIY model can be configured for Windows or Linux. Framework provides operating-system guidance, but support is not necessarily identical across every Linux distribution or every hardware feature. Check the company’s current downloads and setup guidance before choosing a distribution.

Is the stylus included?

Stylus support does not mean a stylus is included. The pen is optional in the listed Laptop 12 configurations.

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Framework’s Laptop 12 Stylus was listed at $59 on the U.S. product page checked for this article. It supports 4,096 pressure levels, 60-degree tilt sensitivity, two programmable buttons, a removable rechargeable battery, and a replaceable tip. It charges over USB-C, but the charging cable is not included. Details are available on the official stylus page.

For occasional touch input, the extra purchase may not be worthwhile. It becomes more useful for handwriting, annotation, or drawing.

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What DIY buyers need to budget for

  • Memory: compatible DDR5 SO-DIMM RAM.
  • Storage: an M.2 2230 NVMe SSD.
  • Operating system: Windows or a compatible Linux distribution.
  • Power: a 60W USB-C charger if one is not already available.
  • Expansion Cards: ports selected for the buyer’s devices.
  • Stylus: optional, but necessary for pen-based work.

Framework estimates about 10–20 minutes for DIY assembly and 2–5 minutes to set up a pre-built system. The DIY route can save money for people who already own compatible parts or prefer to select them independently. It is less attractive if the goal is simply to open the box and start working.

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Is it a tablet replacement?

Laptop 12 can be used in tablet mode, but it should not be treated as an iPad-class tablet replacement for every buyer.

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The hinge, touchscreen, and optional pen make it suitable for notes, markup, casual drawing, and tablet-style browsing. But it remains a 1.3kg Intel laptop with a full-size keyboard. Its 12.2-inch screen is compact for a notebook but relatively large and heavy for extended handheld tablet use.

The 60Hz LCD and listed 50% NTSC color gamut also make it less compelling for buyers seeking a premium media or color-critical creative display.

Reasons to consider it—and reasons to hesitate

It makes sense if you:

  • Value repairability and replaceable parts.
  • Want a compact convertible with a real keyboard.
  • Need flexible ports for changing peripherals.
  • Are comfortable assembling or upgrading a computer.
  • Want Windows/Linux flexibility and hardware privacy switches.

Think twice if you:

  • Need the newest processor platform. Laptop 12 uses 13th-generation Intel chips, which are older than current-generation laptop platforms in 2026.
  • Want an OLED, high-refresh-rate, or wide-gamut display.
  • Expect a backlit keyboard or biometric login.
  • Want a very light tablet for handheld use.
  • Prefer a laptop with a complete fixed set of ports and no accessory planning.
  • Need a ready-to-use computer but are comparing only the $549 DIY headline price.

Current ordering status

Laptop 12 is no longer an upcoming April 2025 product. The current Framework pages cited for this article list configurations as orderable, with listed models showing shipping within five business days. That is a page-level availability signal, not a guarantee for every configuration.

Before paying, check the exact processor, color, keyboard layout, memory, storage, region, and delivery estimate on Framework’s comparison page or product page.

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Bottom line for buyers

Framework Laptop 12 is most compelling as a repairable, modular convertible—not simply as a $549 budget laptop. The U.S. pre-order date was April 10, 2025, after the originally announced April 9 date was delayed. The $549 DIY price can be attractive if you already have compatible components or plan to source them carefully; the $799 pre-built model is the more straightforward comparison for buyers who want a ready-to-use Windows laptop.

Its repairability, customizable ports, touchscreen, and Linux flexibility are unusual strengths. Its older processor platform, 60Hz display, non-backlit keyboard, lack of listed biometric login, and 1.3kg tablet-mode weight are meaningful compromises.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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