Framework Laptop 12 Gets a Major Upgrade With Intel Wildcat Lake, Longer Battery Life, and New Convenience Features
Framework has refreshed its compact Laptop 12 2-in-1 convertible, bringing meaningful upgrades to one of its most repairable and customizable notebooks. Pre-orders for the new Framework Laptop 12 are now live, and while the device keeps the same familiar design, the internal improvements make this model much more appealing for students, mobile workers, Linux users, and anyone who values long-term laptop ownership.
The biggest upgrade is the move to Intel Core Series 3 Wildcat Lake processors. Buyers can configure the new Framework Laptop 12 with up to an Intel Core 7 350 chip, up to 64 GB of LPDDR5-6400 memory, and up to 2 TB of storage. These new processors are designed with efficiency in mind, and that makes a major difference in daily use.
Framework says the new Laptop 12 with the Intel Core 5 320 delivers up to 70% better battery life compared with the older Core i5-1334U version. That is a significant jump, especially because the battery capacity remains the same at 50 Wh. For users who rely on their laptop throughout the day, this could mean fewer charging breaks and a more reliable portable experience.
One of the most important parts of this launch is that existing Framework Laptop 12 owners are not being left behind. In typical Framework fashion, the new upgrades can be used with the previous Laptop 12 chassis. That means owners of the 2025 Framework Laptop 12 can upgrade to the new Wildcat Lake mainboard instead of buying an entirely new machine. This keeps the device aligned with Framework’s core promise of repairability, modularity, and reduced electronic waste.
The refreshed Laptop 12 also adds two highly requested features: a backlit keyboard and a fingerprint reader built into the power button. These additions may sound small, but they make a big difference in everyday usability. A backlit keyboard is especially useful for late-night work, classrooms, travel, or dimly lit environments. The fingerprint reader adds a faster and more secure way to unlock the device.
The fingerprint reader will come standard on the Core 5 and Core 7 versions of the new Framework Laptop 12. Existing owners can also purchase the part separately and install it into an older Laptop 12 chassis, giving current users another way to modernize their device without replacing the whole laptop.
Connectivity also gets an upgrade. The new Framework Laptop 12 now supports Thunderbolt 4 on two of its expansion card slots. The remaining two slots support USB 3.2 Gen 2 speeds. This gives users more flexibility for connecting external displays, fast storage drives, docks, and other accessories while still keeping Framework’s modular expansion card system.
The convertible design remains unchanged, with the same 12.2-inch touch display, chassis, and speaker setup as the original Laptop 12. That means the new version keeps the portable, flexible form factor that made the device attractive in the first place. Users can switch between laptop and tablet-style use, making it suitable for note-taking, drawing, browsing, streaming, and productivity.
Framework is also expanding software options with pre-built Laptop 12 configurations that include Fedora 44 KDE Plasma Desktop pre-installed. This is a notable move because a large portion of Laptop 12 owners reportedly use Linux. Offering a Linux-ready configuration out of the box makes the device more appealing to developers, open-source enthusiasts, and users who prefer alternatives to Windows.
Overall, the new Framework Laptop 12 is not a complete redesign, but it does not need to be. Instead, Framework has focused on practical improvements that users actually asked for: better battery life, modern Intel processors, a backlit keyboard, fingerprint login, stronger connectivity, and more Linux-friendly options.
For anyone looking for a small 2-in-1 laptop that is easy to repair, simple to upgrade, and built with long-term use in mind, the refreshed Framework Laptop 12 is shaping up to be one of the more interesting compact convertible laptops available.
