Giri's Blog

Framework Laptop 13 (AMD 7840U) Review: A CS Student's Dream Machine?

A CS student's perspective on the Framework Laptop 13 (AMD 7840U)

As a Computer Science student, my laptop is more than just a tool – it's my primary environment for learning, coding, building projects, and sometimes, even relaxing. After cycling through a MacBook Pro and a Dell, I landed on the Framework Laptop 13, specifically the model powered by the AMD Ryzen 7 7840U, and it has genuinely changed my relationship with portable computing.

My Configuration

Just so you know where I'm coming from, here's my setup:

  • Model: Framework Laptop 13 (AMD)
  • Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 7840U
  • RAM: 32GB DDR5 (Single Stick, Framework Branded)
  • Storage: 512GB WD Black SN770 NVMe SSD (Initially)
  • OS: Ubuntu 24.04 LTS

First Impressions: Build, Weight, and Wow Factor

Right out of the box, the Framework 13 feels solidly built (Aluminium). There's a reassuring density to it without being heavy. In fact, it's remarkably lightweight (1.3 kg), making it easy to carry around campus all day. It's sleek enough that I've genuinely been stopped multiple times in the library by strangers asking, "What laptop is that?".

The keyboard is another immediate win – it's simply amazing. Tactile, responsive, with good travel – typing code or essays is a pleasure.

Living the Modular Dream: Ports and Upgrades

This is where the Framework truly shines. The Expansion Card system isn't a gimmick; it's incredibly practical. Need to present a PowerPoint in class? Slot in the HDMI port on whichever side is more convenient for the projector cable. Need extra USB-A for peripherals? Swap one in. It takes seconds and eliminates the need for dongles.

The commitment to repairability and upgrades isn't just marketing speak either. I encountered a situation where a course required Unreal Engine, which heavily favours Windows. Rather than dealing with the complexities of dual-booting on my main drive, I decided on a different path. I ordered a separate 1TB NVMe Gen4 SSD.

Guess how long it took to swap the drives? Literally 4 minutes. Unscrew the back, lift the keyboard deck, swap the M.2 stick, and close it back up. It was astonishingly simple. Now I have a dedicated Ubuntu drive (the original 512GB SN770) and a dedicated Windows drive (the new 1TB) for Unreal Engine and occasional gaming. This ease of access gives me a level of confidence I never felt with my previous sealed-shut MacBook Pro or even the Dell. The fear of something breaking or needing an upgrade is significantly reduced.

Daily Driving with Ubuntu 24.04

My primary OS is Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, and the experience has been fantastic.

  • Performance: The Ryzen 7 7840U paired with 32GB of RAM handles my development workflow effortlessly. Compiling code, running multiple containers, IDEs, browsers with countless tabs – it just takes it all in stride.
  • Battery Life: It's very usable. I can comfortably get through several hours of classes and coding sessions without constantly hunting for an outlet. It's not record-breaking, but it's reliable for a typical student day.
  • Fan Noise: This is interesting. On Ubuntu, the laptop is remarkably quiet most of the time. The fans rarely spin up audibly during normal use. I typically only hear them kick in when I'm really pushing the system – think RAM usage hitting ~28GB and sustained multi-core CPU load exceeding 20%. In contrast, when I boot into Windows (likely due to higher background activity or perhaps more demanding GPU drivers for gaming/Unreal), the fans seem much more eager to spin up.

The One Regret: Framework RAM

If there's one decision I'd rethink, it's buying the RAM directly from Framework. I opted for a single 32GB stick, thinking I'd leave the other slot free for a potential future upgrade to 64GB. However, the RAM Framework sells is their own branded module. To ensure compatibility and dual-channel performance when upgrading, I'd likely need to buy another 32GB stick from Framework.

The problem? Framework's RAM is significantly more expensive than comparable high-quality modules from brands like Crucial or Samsung – often close to double the price. In hindsight, I should have bought the laptop without RAM and purchased a 32GB stick from a third party for optimal price to performance ratio.

Despite the RAM pricing quibble, the Framework Laptop 13 (AMD) is an outstanding machine, especially for a tech-savvy student.

Pros:

  • Excellent performance for development and general use.
  • Superb, tactile keyboard.
  • Lightweight yet solidly built.
  • Revolutionary modularity (Expansion Cards are genius).
  • Unmatched ease of repair and upgrade.
  • Great experience on Ubuntu 24.04 (quiet, good battery).
  • Gives confidence in long-term ownership.

Cons:

  • Buying RAM directly from Framework can be expensive and limit upgrade flexibility compared to third-party options (Not exactly a con, but just warning everyone about the limitations of buying RAM stick from Framework).
  • Fans can be more active under Windows (though this might vary with workload) (But, I've heard fan kicks in more frequently in Intel Chips from the community platforms, when compared to AMD chips).

Overall, the Framework Laptop 13 delivers on its promises. It's powerful, adaptable, and built with a philosophy that respects the user. It handles my CS workload with ease, adapts to my needs (like needing a temporary Windows environment), and gives me peace of mind that I haven't had with previous laptops. If you value performance, customization, and sustainability, I wholeheartedly recommend it. In fact, I don't recommend anything other than Framework Laptop as I genuinely don't see a replacement for a non-graphics intensive workflows.