Specs at a glance
| CPU | AMD Ryzen 7040 / 8040 / Intel Core Ultra |
| GPU / NPU | Integrated, optional discrete on FW16 |
| RAM options | 8 / 16 / 32 / 64 GB DDR5 |
| Storage | NVMe SSD 500 GB – 4 TB |
| Power draw | 15–80 W |
| Form factor | 13.5" or 16" laptop |
| Local LLM capability | Up to 13B Q4 |
| Agent score | 8/10 |
| Price point | €1100–2200 |
Overview
Framework laptops earn their place in this guide because they're the rare modern laptop where repair, upgrade and Linux support are genuinely first-class. The 13-inch with 32 GB RAM runs Hermes Agent comfortably alongside browser-tool workloads. The 16-inch with discrete GPU adds local LLM headroom. Neither is the right pick for always-on agent hosting (you want a fanless mini PC for that), but as a portable AI development machine that lasts five years, Framework is the most credible option.
Best for
- Engineers who want one machine for both work and agent hosting
- Linux-first deployments
- Repair-friendly hardware
Not for
- Always-on hosting (laptop ≠ server)
- Strict per-watt efficiency vs Mac Mini
- Cost-optimised setups (mini PC + dedicated laptop is cheaper)
Compatible self-hosted agents
Tested working on Framework Laptop 13 / 16 (with the caveats from “Best for” / “Not for” above):
Where to buy
Manufacturer page: https://frame.work. We don't have an active affiliate programme with this vendor — see our disclosure page for the full list of partners we do work with.
See: all pocket AI hardware · edge AI hardware buyer's guide · how we test.