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@@ -2,45 +2,6 @@ mountainsmith fanny like an evening clutch for hiking. too small for a book, (rounded bottom makes it tough, fits a kindle though) works well for keys, wallet, stuff like that but that's it. comfortable as a sling, wide strap. -## Framework Laptop 13 - -User repairable/upgradeable with DIY build options. Much-improved battery life. Excellent matte, 3:2 screen. Linux-friendly. Expandable, hot-swappable port system. - -The Framework Laptop 13 is very close to the perfect computer for most people. It's powerful, user-serviceable, upgradeable, repairable, and more future-proof than any other laptop on the market. - -There are only two reasons I could come up with not to buy the new Framework Laptop 13. The first is that you're video editor or gamer, in which case you want a dedicated video card, which the Framework 13 does not offer. The only other reason I can come up with is that you don't want to spend more than $1,000 on a laptop. - -For almost every other use case I think of, the Framework Laptop 13 is as good as its competitors *and* it's repairable, upgradable, and customizable, saving you money down the road. That's not to say it's perfect, but this third version of the Framework Laptop 13 is pretty darn close. - -### The Perfect Upgrade - -To really test the 2023 version of the Framework Laptop 13 I should have kept the model I reviewed last year. That way I could test the upgrade process, which involves swapping out the motherboard for the new one. Unfortunately our policy at WIRED is that we don't keep anything we test, so that's not possible. Framework did send me the DIY kit again, which is somewhat like the upgrade package in that it must be put together. - -Whether you upgrade or are a first-time buyer picking up a new one, there are three things in the new Framework Laptop 13 that make this a worthwhile upgrade. The first is the larger battery. I don't know if it's all the battery, which gets bumped from 55 watt hours to 61 watt hours, or the new 13th-generation Intel chip, or some combination of the two, but battery life is much better this time around—even on Linux, more on that in a minute. - -The second reason to upgrade is the matte screen because there are matte screens and crap screens, full stop. The third improvement is that there's now an AMD-based Framework. Unfortunately it's not shipping yet, but you can pre-order the AMD boards, which are slated to ship later this year. And yes you can cross-upgrade from an Intel model to an AMD, though you will have to get new RAM and a new Wi-Fi card as well, which makes it a little more expensive. - -For this review though I'll be looking at the Intel i7 model (with the 13th-Gen i7-1360P processor) or the upgrade kit if you've already got an older Framework laptop. The unit Framework provided came with 16 gigabytes of RAM and a 1-terabyte SSD (a Western Digital SN770, [one of our favorite SSDs](https://www.wired.com/story/best-portable-external-storage-drives/#six)). The configuration I tested retails for $1,738. - -You can configure your Framework with up to 64 gigabytes of RAM and use just about any PCIe Gen4 SSD. A fully maxxed out Framework Laptop 13, with 64 gigabytes of RAM and 2-terabyte SSD from Framework will set you back $2,018. You can save some money if already have an SSD,a nd of course you can start with a slower chip and upgrade just the motherboard down the road. - -That is after all the main appeal of the Framework -- you're in control. Or, at least a lot more in control than you are with a big box laptop. Every component in the Framework has a QR code on it that will take you to webpages that show you how to upgrade and change out your SSD, RAM, speakers, motherboard, and more. I've come to think that the existence of the MacBook made the Framework inevitable. It is the repairable Yin to Apple's locked up Yang. - -I happen to think that nothing goes as well with repairable, customizable hardware as Linux, a user-centric, customizable operating system. Last time around I installed Linux on the Framework, but this time Framework provided me with a Windows 11 key. I dutifully installed and used Windows long enough to run some benchmarks, perform a battery drain test, and get a feel for day to day life on a Windows Framework. And then I pulled that drive out, stuck in my own, and install Arch Linux. Ah, much better. - -But first, Windows stats. The Framework's benchmark scores are very good. It beats the Dell XPS 13,a nd even holds its own against Apple's M2 until you get to graphics, where the Intel system falls apart. Again, this is not a gaming machine and it doesn't perform like one. For most of us though, with web-based workflows and document software, the i7 is more than enough. In fact, I would save a few dollars and go for the i5 model, though it is worth noting that that model has a different, smaller battery. That's a shame because the i7 model just eeks out a full day's battery life, and if the i5 model had this battery I have no doubt it would get a good 12-14 hours out of it. I never worried about bringing the charging cable around with me in testing, but I also never got much more than 9 hours in real world use. It's plenty for most people, and much better than last year's model. Even better, unless I was seriously stressing it while running benchmarks or rendering 5K video, I never heard the fan spin up. - -One of my favorite parts of the Framework remains unchanged, which is the expansion card system for adding ports. You can have four expansion cards in at a time, but swap whatever you need in and out. For instance if you need an HDMI port for a presentation, snap it in and on all the days you don't have a presentation you can toss that one in the drawer and stick in a more useful USB-C port. There's even a port to add a drive. It's too bad the ports aren't slightly larger, because I'd love to see Framework add a port with a 2242 SSD that users could upgrade themselves. The port selection is pretty good as it is though. - -The final thing worth noting in the new Framework is the screen. It's still a 13.5-inch screen with a 3:2 aspect ratio (a somewhat unusual 2,256 x 1,504 pixels) like last year's model, but it has a new matte coating that makes it usable just about everywhere. I was even able to more or less browse the web in direct sunlight with the brightness cranked up. It's one of the best screens I've tested this year. That said, bad news if you want to upgrade to OLED or 4K or something of that nature, this is the one and only panel. The good news is that this is the Framework, should the company ever offer a OLED display chances are good you'd be able to upgrade to it without buying a whole new laptop. - -The keyboard remains unchanged and while it's not quite as nice as say an older Lenovo, it's one of my favorite chiclet-style keyboards. It has good travel (1.5mm) and a satisfying thunkiness to typing on it. - -For existing Framework users I would say, upgrade your screen. The matte display is excellent. It's not shipping yet, but you can [order one for $179](https://frame.work/products/display-kit?v=FRANFX0001). The performance boost is probably not worth the upgrade from last year's model, but if you're on the original it might be, depending on your needs. - -If you're thinking of investing in your first Framework, I think now is the time. The kinks and rough edges have all been smoothed out and this is very nice machine with a bright, upgradable future. The only reason I can think of to wait is the AMD model, which we'll be sure to test as soon as we can get our hands on one. - - # Guides Existing @@ -1464,6 +1425,46 @@ contain microfibers: http://guppyfriend.com/en/ # Reviews +## Framework Laptop 13 + +User repairable/upgradeable with DIY build options. Much-improved battery life. Excellent matte, 3:2 screen. Linux-friendly. Expandable, hot-swappable port system. + +The Framework Laptop 13 is very close to the perfect computer for most people. It's powerful, user-serviceable, upgradeable, repairable, and more future-proof than any other laptop on the market. + +There are only two reasons I could come up with not to buy the new Framework Laptop 13. The first is that you're video editor or gamer, in which case you want a dedicated video card, which the Framework 13 does not offer. The only other reason I can come up with is that you don't want to spend more than $1,000 on a laptop. + +For almost every other use case I think of, the Framework Laptop 13 is as good as its competitors *and* it's repairable, upgradable, and customizable, saving you money down the road. That's not to say it's perfect, but this third version of the Framework Laptop 13 is pretty darn close. + +### The Perfect Upgrade + +To really test the 2023 version of the Framework Laptop 13 I should have kept the model I reviewed last year. That way I could test the upgrade process, which involves swapping out the motherboard for the new one. Unfortunately our policy at WIRED is that we don't keep anything we test, so that's not possible. Framework did send me the DIY kit again, which is somewhat like the upgrade package in that it must be put together. + +Whether you upgrade or are a first-time buyer picking up a new one, there are three things in the new Framework Laptop 13 that make this a worthwhile upgrade. The first is the larger battery. I don't know if it's all the battery, which gets bumped from 55 watt hours to 61 watt hours, or the new 13th-generation Intel chip, or some combination of the two, but battery life is much better this time around—even on Linux, more on that in a minute. + +The second reason to upgrade is the matte screen because there are matte screens and crap screens, full stop. The third improvement is that there's now an AMD-based Framework. Unfortunately it's not shipping yet, but you can pre-order the AMD boards, which are slated to ship later this year. And yes you can cross-upgrade from an Intel model to an AMD, though you will have to get new RAM and a new Wi-Fi card as well, which makes it a little more expensive. + +For this review though I'll be looking at the Intel i7 model (with the 13th-Gen i7-1360P processor) or the upgrade kit if you've already got an older Framework laptop. The unit Framework provided came with 16 gigabytes of RAM and a 1-terabyte SSD (a Western Digital SN770, [one of our favorite SSDs](https://www.wired.com/story/best-portable-external-storage-drives/#six)). The configuration I tested retails for $1,738. + +You can configure your Framework with up to 64 gigabytes of RAM and use just about any PCIe Gen4 SSD. A fully maxxed out Framework Laptop 13, with 64 gigabytes of RAM and 2-terabyte SSD from Framework will set you back $2,018. You can save some money if already have an SSD,a nd of course you can start with a slower chip and upgrade just the motherboard down the road. + +That is after all the main appeal of the Framework -- you're in control. Or, at least a lot more in control than you are with a big box laptop. Every component in the Framework has a QR code on it that will take you to webpages that show you how to upgrade and change out your SSD, RAM, speakers, motherboard, and more. I've come to think that the existence of the MacBook made the Framework inevitable. It is the repairable Yin to Apple's locked up Yang. + +I happen to think that nothing goes as well with repairable, customizable hardware as Linux, a user-centric, customizable operating system. Last time around I installed Linux on the Framework, but this time Framework provided me with a Windows 11 key. I dutifully installed and used Windows long enough to run some benchmarks, perform a battery drain test, and get a feel for day to day life on a Windows Framework. And then I pulled that drive out, stuck in my own, and install Arch Linux. Ah, much better. + +But first, Windows stats. The Framework's benchmark scores are very good. It beats the Dell XPS 13,a nd even holds its own against Apple's M2 until you get to graphics, where the Intel system falls apart. Again, this is not a gaming machine and it doesn't perform like one. For most of us though, with web-based workflows and document software, the i7 is more than enough. In fact, I would save a few dollars and go for the i5 model, though it is worth noting that that model has a different, smaller battery. That's a shame because the i7 model just eeks out a full day's battery life, and if the i5 model had this battery I have no doubt it would get a good 12-14 hours out of it. I never worried about bringing the charging cable around with me in testing, but I also never got much more than 9 hours in real world use. It's plenty for most people, and much better than last year's model. Even better, unless I was seriously stressing it while running benchmarks or rendering 5K video, I never heard the fan spin up. + +One of my favorite parts of the Framework remains unchanged, which is the expansion card system for adding ports. You can have four expansion cards in at a time, but swap whatever you need in and out. For instance if you need an HDMI port for a presentation, snap it in and on all the days you don't have a presentation you can toss that one in the drawer and stick in a more useful USB-C port. There's even a port to add a drive. It's too bad the ports aren't slightly larger, because I'd love to see Framework add a port with a 2242 SSD that users could upgrade themselves. The port selection is pretty good as it is though. + +The final thing worth noting in the new Framework is the screen. It's still a 13.5-inch screen with a 3:2 aspect ratio (a somewhat unusual 2,256 x 1,504 pixels) like last year's model, but it has a new matte coating that makes it usable just about everywhere. I was even able to more or less browse the web in direct sunlight with the brightness cranked up. It's one of the best screens I've tested this year. That said, bad news if you want to upgrade to OLED or 4K or something of that nature, this is the one and only panel. The good news is that this is the Framework, should the company ever offer a OLED display chances are good you'd be able to upgrade to it without buying a whole new laptop. + +The keyboard remains unchanged and while it's not quite as nice as say an older Lenovo, it's one of my favorite chiclet-style keyboards. It has good travel (1.5mm) and a satisfying thunkiness to typing on it. + +For existing Framework users I would say, upgrade your screen. The matte display is excellent. It's not shipping yet, but you can [order one for $179](https://frame.work/products/display-kit?v=FRANFX0001). The performance boost is probably not worth the upgrade from last year's model, but if you're on the original it might be, depending on your needs. + +If you're thinking of investing in your first Framework, I think now is the time. The kinks and rough edges have all been smoothed out and this is very nice machine with a bright, upgradable future. The only reason I can think of to wait is the AMD model, which we'll be sure to test as soon as we can get our hands on one. + + + ## Acer Swift 14 review Acer's new Swift 14, which replaces the Swift 5, is the company's MacBook Pro, which is to say it's a well-built, svelte, slickly-designed, all-metal portable with enough power and battery to help you get things done no matter where you are. @@ -4339,6 +4340,13 @@ Email is everything social media is not—decentralized, open, tk, and tk. # Blurbs +## Yeti 1500X + +https://www.goalzero.com/products/goal-zero-yeti-1500x-portable-power-station + +I managed to get 1,511 watt hours out of Goal Zero's Yeti 1500X. That's enough power to keep your fridge humming through an outage, but the 1500X is still portable enough that you can take it with you. I stopped using ridiculously long extension cords and instead just brought the 1500X out to where I needed power. With a 2,000 watt output rating, it had no trouble running power tools, refrigerators, and everything else I could find. It has a decent selection of ports too, two 60W USB-C PD ports, two USB-A ports, a regulated 12V cigarette-lighter-style port. The only downside is that there are only two 120V AC ports. You can charge the Yeti off solar or by plugging it in, and the Yeti app is nice for monitoring power usage and battery life, as well as getting notifications, upgrading firmware, and more. + + ## Goal Zero Sherpa 100AC Goal Zero recently updated its Sherpa line of portable chargers with better wireless charging capabilities—15 watts, up from 5 watts in the previous model. I tested the Sherpa AC, which features two USB-C ports (60 watt and 100 watt), to USB-A ports, and a 100 watt AC port for those devices that need a pronged plug. I think the Sherpa 100AC strikes a good balance between power storage (93 watt hours in my drain test) and weight (2 pounds). It's enough to charge up my Dell XPS 13 almost twice. |