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Framework Laptop 12 (Intel Core Series 3)
Framework's repairable 12.2-inch convertible moves to Intel's Core Series 3 chips, adding Thunderbolt 4 and Wi-Fi 7 across the line, plus an optional fingerprint reader and backlit keyboard on the higher Core 5/Core 7 tiers. The base pre-built Fedora configuration (Core 3 304, without the fingerprint reader) starts at $699, with Batch 1 pre-orders shipping in October 2026.
Pros
- Thunderbolt 4 arrives on the rear Expansion Card slots, up from USB 3.2 Gen 2 only
- Optional fingerprint reader and backlit keyboard on Core 5/Core 7 configurations, both unavailable on the previous generation
- Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.0 via a swappable Intel BE213 module
- Modular Expansion Card ports plus swappable SO-DIMM RAM and M.2 2230 storage carry over from the original design
- Up to 70% longer 4K-streaming battery life on the Core 5 320 configuration versus the original Core i5-1334U model, per Framework
Cons
- Display remains a 60Hz, 1920x1200 panel with no resolution or refresh-rate increase
- 50Wh battery capacity is unchanged from the original Laptop 12
- DIY Edition ships without RAM, storage or an OS, so its $549 starting price understates the cost of a working machine
- Entry Core 3 304 configuration has only one performance core
Below average
Computed from specs & benchmarks via our public methodology.
Full specifications
Everything we track for the Framework Laptop 12 (Intel Core Series 3)
Display
- Screen size
- 12.2 ″
- Panel type
- LCD (glass, convertible touchscreen, MPP 2.0/USI 2.0 stylus support)
- Resolution
- 1920x1200
- Refresh rate
- 60 Hz
- Peak brightness
- 400 nits
Performance
- Processor
- Intel Core 3 304
- Graphics
- Intel Graphics (1 Xe3 core, up to 2.3GHz)
- RAM
- 8 GB
- RAM type
- DDR5-6400 (SO-DIMM)
- Storage
- 512 GB
- Storage type
- M.2 2230 NVMe SSD
Battery
- Capacity
- 50 Wh
- Charging
- 60 W
Design
- Weight
- 1.3 kg
- Thickness
- 18.5 mm
- Material
- Overmolded shock-absorbing TPU over plastic with an internal metal structure
Connectivity
- 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
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi 7 (Intel BE213)
- Bluetooth
- 6.0
- Webcam
- 1080p 30fps (2MP OmniVision OV02C sensor, 80° FOV), hardware privacy switch
- 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
Software
- Operating system
- Fedora 44 (KDE Plasma) (Windows 11 Home/Pro option available)
Quick answers
Is the Framework Laptop 12 (Intel Core Series 3) good in 2026?
The Framework Laptop 12 (Intel Core Series 3) earns an Inno Score of 38.5/100 (“Below average”) based on its specs and benchmark results. Framework's repairable 12.2-inch convertible moves to Intel's Core Series 3 chips, adding Thunderbolt 4 and Wi-Fi 7 across the line, plus an optional fingerprint reader and backlit keyboard on the higher Core 5/Core 7 tiers. The base pre-built Fedora configuration (Core 3 304, without the fingerprint reader) starts at $699, with Batch 1 pre-orders shipping in October 2026.
What are the key specs of the Framework Laptop 12 (Intel Core Series 3)?
Processor: Intel Core 3 304 · RAM: 8 GB · Screen size: 12.2 ″ · Weight: 1.3 kg
What are the closest alternatives to the Framework Laptop 12 (Intel Core Series 3)?
Its closest rivals on InnoReviews are Acer Nitro V 15, Asus Vivobook 15, HP Victus 16 (2024) — open the comparison pages for a spec-by-spec breakdown.
