Framework Laptop 12 (Intel Core Series 3) vs Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2
VS
30.7Performance39.3
26.5Display41.6
33.3Battery45.9
76.6Portability51.4
2 spec wins — Framework Laptop 12 (Intel Core Series 3)6 spec wins — Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2
InnoReviews verdict
Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 wins this laptop face-off, 43.5 to 38.5, pulling ahead mainly in display (+15) and battery (+13). Framework Laptop 12 (Intel Core Series 3) still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.
Which would you pick?
Key differences
Reasons to pick the Framework Laptop 12 (Intel Core Series 3)
- Stronger portability score: 77 vs 51
- 34% lower weight: 1.3 kg vs 1.98 kg
- 16% lower thickness: 18.5 mm vs 22 mm
- Lower launch price: $699 vs $2,399
Reasons to pick the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2
- Stronger performance score: 39 vs 31
- Stronger display score: 42 vs 27
- Stronger battery score: 46 vs 33
- 100% higher Refresh rate: 120 Hz vs 60 Hz
- 100% higher RAM: 16 GB vs 8 GB
Display
| Spec | Framework Laptop 12 (Intel Core Series 3) | Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 12.2 ″ | 14.4 ″+18% |
| Panel type | LCD (glass, convertible touchscreen, MPP 2.0/USI 2.0 stylus support) | IPS (PixelSense Flow, touch) |
| Resolution | 1920x1200 | 2400x1600 |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 120 Hz+100% |
| Peak brightness | 400 nits | 600 nits+50% |
Performance
| Spec | Framework Laptop 12 (Intel Core Series 3) | Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core 3 304 | Intel Core i7-13700H |
| Graphics | Intel Graphics (1 Xe3 core, up to 2.3GHz) | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop |
| RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB+100% |
| RAM type | DDR5-6400 (SO-DIMM) | LPDDR5X-6400 (soldered) |
| Storage | 512 GB | 512 GB |
| Storage type | M.2 2230 NVMe SSD | PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD (user-replaceable) |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Framework Laptop 12 (Intel Core Series 3) | Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | — | 2,450Bottom 28% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | — | 11,500Bottom 16% |
Battery
| Spec | Framework Laptop 12 (Intel Core Series 3) | Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 50 Wh | 58 Wh+16% |
| Web browsing endurance | — | 9 h |
| Charging | 60 W | 120 W+100% |
Design
| Spec | Framework Laptop 12 (Intel Core Series 3) | Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 1.3 kg+34% | 1.98 kg |
| Thickness | 18.5 mm+16% | 22 mm |
| Material | Overmolded shock-absorbing TPU over plastic with an internal metal structure | Magnesium and aluminum |
Connectivity
| Spec | Framework Laptop 12 (Intel Core Series 3) | Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Ports | 4x swappable Expansion Cards (2x rear Thunderbolt 4, 2x front USB 3.2 Gen 2; USB-C/USB-A, HDMI, DisplayPort, Ethernet, microSD/SD options), 3.5mm combo jack | 2x Thunderbolt 4, 1x USB-A 3.1, microSDXC, Surface Connect, 3.5mm |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 (Intel BE213) | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | 6.0 | 5.3 |
| Webcam | 1080p 30fps (2MP OmniVision OV02C sensor, 80° FOV), hardware privacy switch | 1080p + IR |
| Biometrics | None on this configuration — fingerprint reader is bundled only with the Core 5 320/Core 7 350 pre-built tiers, not Core 3 304 | IR face (Windows Hello) |
Software
| Spec | Framework Laptop 12 (Intel Core Series 3) | Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Fedora 44 (KDE Plasma) (Windows 11 Home/Pro option available) | Windows 11 |
Related comparisons
Framework Laptop 12 (Intel Core Series 3)vs Acer Nitro V 15VSFramework Laptop 12 (Intel Core Series 3)vs Chuwi NeoBookVSFramework Laptop 12 (Intel Core Series 3)vs Asus Vivobook 15VSFramework Laptop 12 (Intel Core Series 3)vs ASUS Vivobook S14 Flip (TP5408QA)VSMicrosoft Surface Laptop Studio 2vs Lenovo Legion Slim 5 (2024)VSMicrosoft Surface Laptop Studio 2vs Lenovo LOQ Essential 15IRH11VSMicrosoft Surface Laptop Studio 2vs CHUWI UniBookVSMicrosoft Surface Laptop Studio 2vs ASUS Vivobook S14 (S5452MA)VS