{"id":935745,"date":"2025-12-29T20:05:20","date_gmt":"2025-12-29T20:05:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/yUTMoUahcWySbjSrVyvTrb"},"modified":"2025-12-29T20:05:20","modified_gmt":"2025-12-29T20:05:20","slug":"framework-13-intel-core-ultra-series-1-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/arcader.org\/news\/framework-13-intel-core-ultra-series-1-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Framework 13 (Intel Core Ultra Series 1) review"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

The little Framework 13 laptop is one of my most favourite ever notebooks. And I've owned, tested, and generally messed around with a ton of different gaming and office laptops in my near 20 years as a PC hardware journalist. So, when I say this latest version of the endlessly configurable, endlessly repairable laptop has left me rather cold, I say that only because of the new Intel tech inside it, not because of any new failings of the now classic design.<\/p>\n

Everything else about it is great, from the new higher resolution, higher refresh rate screen, to the improved cooling, but\u2014and I hate to kick a guy while he's down<\/a>\u2014that Intel Core Ultra 7 155H chip at its heart is doing nothing good for it as a device.<\/p>\n

This may be a more recent mainboard inside the Framework 13 Intel Core Ultra Series 1<\/a> device, but it feels like it's lagging behind the excellent Framework 13 AMD Ryzen series<\/a> it launched last year, pretty much on all fronts. It's got better raw processing chops, more reliable gaming performance, and the AMD version is now cheaper, to the tune of $150. It's also a little lacking in terms of computational grunt compared with the even older Intel 13th Gen mainboard<\/a>.<\/p>\n

None of that takes away from the feeling you get, as a dyed-in-the-wool PC nerd, when you open up the Framework 13 DIY box. This is the first time I've experienced the DIY package; previously I've either had the pre-built machine arrive in one piece, ready to go out of the box, or had mainboards shipped over for me to upgrade my existing machine.<\/p>\n

\n
Core Ultra Series 1 specs<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

\"Framework<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

(Image credit: Future)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

CPU:<\/strong> Intel Core Ultra 7 155H
\niGPU:<\/strong> Intel Arc 8 Xe Cores
\nMemory:<\/strong> 16 GB DDR5-5600
\nStorage:<\/strong> WD SN770 1 TB
\nDisplay:<\/strong> 13.5-inch
\nResolution:<\/strong> 2880 x 1920
\nRefresh rate:<\/strong> 120 Hz
\nNetwork:<\/strong> AX210 Wi-Fi
\nBattery:<\/strong> 61 Wh
\nPrice as configured:<\/strong> $1,782<\/a> | \u00a31,773<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

And it's a really pleasing experience. Everything's snugly boxed up, with the main unit already made up with the mainboard, screen, and associated Wi-Fi and webcam modules, and you're left to install the RAM, SSD, I\/O modules, bezel, and keyboard.\u00a0<\/p>\n

It's simple stuff and just requires the supplied hex screwdriver you use for any Framework upgrades. But it's that level of getting intimately involved with the device that I love, and it's what has engendered such affection in the unit I've been using as my go-to work laptop ever since I first laid mitts on the Framework 13.<\/p>\n

That's an experience, however, you can have with any Framework laptop and not one restricted to this Intel Core Ultra Series 1 version. So, what do<\/em> you get with this Meteor Lake-based setup? You get better cooling, and better battery life, and… that's kinda it.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
Image 1 of 3<\/span><\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n

\"Framework<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

(Image credit: Future)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
Image 2 of 3<\/span><\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n

\"Framework<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

(Image credit: Future)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
Image 3 of 3<\/span><\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n

\"Framework<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

(Image credit: Future)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

To be fair, cooling has been an issue with the Framework 13 machines. They're relatively thin devices and the need for their mainboards to be removable and upgradeable means they can't be too tightly interwoven with the insides of the chassis. And that means the fans are pretty small and have to work hard to keep things cool. With the Framework 13, that means they can get real loud, real quick.<\/p>\n

That's not such a problem with the Core Ultra Series 1 mainboard, which manages to be relatively<\/em> unobtrusive even when on max performance and pushing the CPU and iGPU to their limits. Even just running Football Manager on the Ryzen series board, by comparison, proves too much for me to be able to game in polite company.<\/p>\n