Framework announced the Framework 13 Pro including full Linux support right from the beginning.
Some quick information about the Device:
- will use Intel Core Ultra 300 (Panther-Lake)
- updated Battery Design with (up to) 20h Battery life
- custom designed Display Panel with Touch support (keeping the 3:2 aspect ratio)
- LPCAMM2 for upgradable/replacable RAM without compromising on Speed/Low Power of LPDDR5X
- milled Aluminium Unibody chassis
- Full Linux support right from the start (including Firmware update via LVFS, Fingerprint Reader, etc.)
- Haptic Touchpad
- and all the repairability features Framework is known for
You can watch their YouTube Video for a quick summary:
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnOpIQJnYWU
- Invidious: https://inv.nadeko.net/watch?__goaway_challenge=js-refresh&__goaway_id=5a21ef489cbc0e9e48ccded2c92f2b68&__goaway_referer=https%3A%2F%2Finv.nadeko.net%2F&v=GnOpIQJnYWU
I was looking for a new laptop to replace my old Lenovo Yoga 370 and initially disregarded the Framework 13 because of some downsides (low Battery Life, bad Camera, etc.) and was looking to go with one of the following devices:
- HP Elitebook X g1a
- the new Dell XPS 14
- Asus Expertbook PM5 G2
or also a MacBook pro. I am using Linux since more then 10 years and never touched MacOS at all. So I was not sure if MacOS would work for me. But this announcement made it easy: It will be a Framework 13 Pro with Intel X7 358H!
Definitely going to get the full width touchpad for my F16, I dont think my wife needs to upgrade her F13 just yet tho
Also tempted by the occulink kit, especially since I could use my current 7700S with it
Is there a proper Desk Solution for OcuLink target available on the market?
Everything that I saw is rather flimsy:
Just use the OCuP4V2 dock, it has the proper mount to secure the GPU and the PSU. No enclosure, your cat either need to leave it alone or you will need to be creative.
If you are into eGPU, and is firm about the 13/14 size don’t get the Framework. This “Pro” version is disappointing, not coming with USB 4.2 or TB5, Dell released last year a Dell Pro 14 with 2 TB5, they will probably release more this year and Lenovo will announce their Thinkpad 2026 lineup tomorrow: https://mactivity.lenovo.com.cn/smb/thinkxp-c.html?pmf_group=in-push&pmf_medium=sc&pmf_source=Z00028090T004
This dock does not fix any of the problems I mentioned. It is (like all the others) just a simple metall plate with a PCIe and OcuLink Connector…So again a flimsy solution for tinkerers at best.
Thunderbolt 5 is, from a Performance point of view, a rather inferior solution compared to OcuLink performing in a lot of cases worse. See the testing results from “Try some tech”: https://www.pcgameshardware.de/screenshots/1020x/2025/10/Thunderbolt-5-vs-Oculink-Youtube-Try-Some-Tech-pcgh.jpg Therefor I would rather take the Downside of a non-Hot-plug solution like OcuLink. But I want a proper Docking solution for a Desk and not this “bare metal” stuff we have right now.
What are you about here? “Just a simple metal plate”, what exactly are you expecting? That is exactly the definition of a motherboard or a dock.
The TGX dock from Lenovo is that inside a box.
I never said TB5 is best than Oculink in performance but is better than a TB4 and reduce the gap to Oculink. Good luck with your imaginary eGPU dock and your Framework 13 with limited TB4 port.