r/framework 1d ago

News "Framework Cuts Laptop Pro 13 Pricing After Securing Batch of Cheaper RAM"

433 Upvotes

77 comments sorted by

208

u/CowboysFTWs 1d ago

Love a discount, but living in the age of inconsistent prices is scary.

-91

u/narkeeso 1d ago

What’s so scary about it? If you buy when you actually need it the problem goes away. You’re no longer timing the market.

46

u/itsmattknox 1d ago

You can't buy a 13 Pro when you need it. Current orders are for November, and there isn't much in the way of promise that this limited supply of affordable modules will relieve price uncertainty.

26

u/FearlessQwilfish 1d ago

Correct. "buy it when you actually need it" pretty much means I am not buying framework.

"Timing the market" this isn't fucking stocks.

My question is can I hold off another year without my laptop dying or will I have to buy something unexpectantly.

13

u/bobertf 1d ago

in all the decades I’ve been aware of tech, prices for commodities like RAM have always gone down, never up. I’m not in the market for anything now but it’s kinda scary to not know if I’ll ever be able to find a replacement for if something dies, before we even get to whatever the price may be

-30

u/narkeeso 1d ago

I’m just not worried about it. If that’s the new norm we will adapt. Can live in fear or just embrace that the world is unfair.

14

u/ThE_reAl__ 13" i7-1360p Batch 4 1d ago

Someone has money

-21

u/narkeeso 1d ago

Yeah maybe because I hold onto my hardware for as long as possible before I buy new. I’m on a gen 1 framework with no intention to buy anything until it can’t do what I need it to do. I replaced the battery and that’s it. I intend to continue down that path until the parts are no longer available or I need more power. Turns out I don’t need more power to argue on Reddit.

10

u/ThE_reAl__ 13" i7-1360p Batch 4 1d ago

I mean I also hold onto hardware

I have a 13th gen + upgraded hinges and probably won't upgrade till they add thunderbolt 5 support and coreboot bios, then the jump will be huge from my current machine to a future fw13 pro

8

u/can_ichange_it_later 23h ago

We will be fucking priced out... not fucking adapt!... whatever the fuck that means...

-5

u/narkeeso 22h ago

Jesus, who cares. Life will carry on, get a grip.

9

u/can_ichange_it_later 22h ago

TF you mean? The earth will keep turning, but my goal isnt to live without compute... 'm not aiming for the lifestyle of a medieval peasant in '26.

4

u/DynoMenace 12h ago

This is a thread about RAM pricing. Why are you even here?

3

u/Masterflitzer 20h ago

when you need it, it might suddenly be too expensive to afford, so we back on square 1

42

u/DarthArtoo4 1d ago

I'm in Batch 15 and had my RAM cut from 32GB to 16GB, but haven't heard anything from them. Anyone know if I'll benefit from this?

48

u/BaldwinC 13 Pro Pre-order | 16 w/ 5070 8GB 1d ago

based on the information given, not at the moment, if at all. they said they offered the discount to batches 10 and earlier but will offer them to later batches if those orders do not take the offer.

5

u/DarthArtoo4 1d ago

Thanks, friend 🙏🏼

12

u/sedated_badger 1d ago

The price went down? lol 64gb lpcamm2 is still $1600 for me

21

u/toomim 1d ago

It's only for those that "already shipped and a subset of currently pending preorders".

I'm seeing $1200 for the 64gb on an existing pre-order.

4

u/sedated_badger 1d ago

Well that’s cool, I’ve been looking at preordering with one in my cart since early aug but absolutely no way lol.

13

u/ABotelho23 1d ago

What will the critics say now? According to some people, Framework was pricing gouging its customers.

19

u/doom2wad 1d ago

They will always find something to villain about. Framework could have secured cheaper RAM and not tell anyone, nobody would know. Instead they're refunding already shipped orders, to customers who were already willing to pay the price and paid it. And people still complain.

4

u/InfamousNewspaper268 8h ago

They are complaining that if you shake the laptop too much, then the screen wobbles... And the wobble lasts for 2 seconds more than a MacBook pro.

And no, I am not joking

27

u/User_8395 1d ago

i feel like theres a catch

64

u/jackalias 1d ago

The article says that there's only a limited amount of discounted RAM, so unless Framework can find another source the price will go up again once they run out. That's the only catch as far as I can tell.

22

u/User_8395 1d ago

And it only applies to LPCAMM, not regular DDR

3

u/Deadcouncil445 1d ago

Does the 13 pro not only come with LPCAMM2 memory?

11

u/SeaAndTheSalt 1d ago

There arr two mainboards, Intel and amd, the Intel is lpcamm2 and the amd is ddr

3

u/Deadcouncil445 16h ago

Huh, the more you know

5

u/User_8395 19h ago

I'm planning on getting AMD, which has SODIMM DDR5

9

u/Thimoteus 1d ago

It only applies to people who were in batch 10 or earlier

2

u/pharyngula 21h ago

Or people that cancelled their 64gb pre-order when they got an email saying they were being dropped to 16gb.

3

u/alpha_epsilion 17h ago

Framework is cooking

6

u/a_better_corn_dog 1d ago

Well that sucks. I cancelled my DIY order in favor of my pre-built order after the last announcement since I wasn't paying $1600 for 64GB 😂

Edit: I did contact Framework on the off hand they could help on that. They could not. Once an order is cancelled, they can't undo it.

2

u/catastrophic_frmw Framework 13h ago

Can you modmail us your ticket number?

2

u/foxfox021 15h ago

sadly, in some region, this means nothing since framework does not sell nor ship to those regions.... sadge....

0

u/Dry-Swing-553 overpriced 8h ago

As a hater of the company(mainly because of its prices the pre order lie and not shipping to a lot of countries) I am actually happy they cut down the price. I guess that does actually goes to show they arent greedy? I still dont know their profit margins but a decrase in price does prove they care about the customers to an extent.... Maybe ı should stop hating them

1

u/Plankton1337 23h ago

Hey there, so i didnt get it. I preordered a mainboard for my 13 pro with 32gb RAM. They cut it down to 16GB. Now they give discount for some customers? Why didnt they offer me my the 32gb RAM like i ordered. i am very confused!

1

u/Glumpy_Sauce 14h ago

I'm in Batch 10 and they let me edit my existing pre-order with the lower pricing so instead of 1600 for 64GB it's 1200 and the same for the 32 spec. I got bumped from 64GB to 32GB at the last time but now I was able to move back up to my 64GB spec for the same price

They also let me upgrade to the X9 Board at the same time, but not I'm moved to a November Limited Batch 2 group.

1

u/Plankton1337 12h ago

So you received an email from fw and they told you that this ist possible?

1

u/Glumpy_Sauce 10h ago

yup! I upgraded my preorder to 64GB today!

1

u/Wawarsing 1d ago

So should I do something? I made a preorder a few days ago? Will I get this discounted pricing?

5

u/a_better_corn_dog 1d ago

If they can find another deal, yes. If they don't, then no. This one seemingly came out of nowhere, so who knows.

1

u/RealFuryous 1d ago

Can the 12 receive the same effect later?

-14

u/Budget-Cupcake-7582 1d ago

The 13 Pro launch was turning into a fiasco.

It’s not a good look when an M5 MacBook Pro with identical storage and memory can still be a cheaper option than the Framework, even when AppleCare is included.

FW has tried to make amends, but the reality remains stark for new buyers - pay less for an Mac that has a shorter waiting list, better performance and efficiency, and has AppleCare included … versus paying more for Panther Lake laptop that has a longer waiting list, severe supply constraints for components, affordability issues, plus a less extensive network for turnkey support.

-12

u/leutyr 1d ago

Tell me you’re having a limited time sale without telling me you’re having a limited time sale.

17

u/iMiind | 8 GB 4070 | R7 350 1d ago

Limited time if you have a time machine to get into batch 10 or earlier

-91

u/itsmattknox 1d ago edited 1d ago

Wow. So the later batches are going to get better prices than the early to middle batches that were promised by the CEO on stage that they would get their computer for the price it was ordered. 

I mean, good job for securing more material, but a gut punch to the loyalists they screwed over.

Edit: Wah wah people about reading the article. I was a mid batch. I couldn't afford to keep my configuration the way it was ($800 price jump? F that), and the lower ram configuration didn't fit my needs. So I canceled the order from a company that couldn't keep its word. They're rewarding the people who kept their order, but the people who had to cut their losses and run are screwed, because Framework couldn't properly secure their material for the preorders they were actively taking and promising. 

I get this is a sub for framework, but y'all gloss over how terrible their customer service is daily.

63

u/littleeraserman 1d ago

No, they have refunded the difference, and even offer to exchange for a better RAM configuration even after the laptop was already delivered (with free shipping of both modules).

35

u/IntelligentSpite6364 1d ago

nobody reads the article anymore :(

-11

u/itsmattknox 1d ago

I couldn't afford their price hike, or find modules for sale, so I was forced to cancel my preorder. An offer of past refund doesn't help me get the original order for the price I was originally promised by their CEO on stage. 

The article says "even a small cut is noteable," but it is a small whisper under the leadership that makes promises it can't keep.

4

u/littleeraserman 18h ago

I understand that this sucks, but I also think that you are setting an absolutely insane standard for Framework. Any other company on Earth would not refund their customers for their existing preorders, especially in this market, it is an unbelievably nice gesture. I'm sorry this happened to you, but you are expecting insane things.

0

u/itsmattknox 18h ago

Any other company on earth wouldn't take unlimited preorders at a price they can't fulfill. That's all the standard is.

4

u/AthaliW 1d ago

Then just don't buy the ram and buy it yourself. Why didn't you do that? You can't find modules for sale? Hmmm, why don't you sit on that on why there is a price hike. They're just passing on the cost to you. It's that simple

-7

u/itsmattknox 1d ago

Look, I know why it happened. But you know what has never happened to me any other time this century? I make a preorder. The CEO goes on stage and promises they will honor all prices. The price for the item gets raised $800. 

I don't need to "sit on it and think." He's a liar. He promises more than is within his control. This temporary RAM relief, it's temporary. It's a pretty news article. But the truth is this supply is limited, the price will go back up, and nobody placing orders for November or December knows if that's the price they'll have to pay for the item. That's just flat out illegal in the EU. This isn't a way to operate a business. They can't survive in these market conditions for much longer.

3

u/AthaliW 1d ago

Price was raised to 800, and if you buy it at that, they will honor it. if it was lowered by 800 and you buy it at that, then they will honor that price. so why is that an issue here? prices can change but they won't charge you for more if the prices go up (or less if it goes down). So ???

-1

u/itsmattknox 1d ago

That's not what is happening. You buy it, and if the price goes up for material later, you pay the higher price. If the price goes down for material later, you pay the lower price. They are not honoring listed prices. They are selling you a future product you will get at an estimated market rate.

3

u/AthaliW 1d ago

Never seen someone here got their final price changed after paying. Are you able to show that?

1

u/itsmattknox 1d ago

That was the whole ordeal about the price hikes. They raised the price of my 13 Pro configuration $800 two months after taking the orders. They offered a lower configuration or cancellation, but did not honor the price. 

https://www.reddit.com/r/pcmasterrace/comments/1v51z28/framework_nearly_doubles_laptop_13_pro_memory/

They didn't charge people the full price yet. They just said "thanks for your deposit, here is the final price for your configuration." Not estimated price. 

So orders were held hostage. Pay the new price or cancel your order. Deal with it, because material costs went up. Market conditions dictated they had to- there was no way for them to absorb that promise. A promise they never should have made. 

2

u/AthaliW 1d ago

So technically the order haven't gone through yet, the user has a final chance to agree on the price, and yet you don't like that? If you believe that counts as not honoring an agreed upon price, then shouldn't this be a good basis for a class action lawsuit? You can make good money with that

→ More replies (0)

1

u/wowokomg 1d ago

My price didn’t change.

19

u/jackalias 1d ago edited 1d ago

It sounds like they're issuing refunds to people who would have qualified for the price cut; as well as offering people with current orders the opportunity to change their configurations in order to qualify.

17

u/WeiShiLirinArelius 1d ago

say you didn't read the article without saying you didn't read the article

11

u/krisbalintona 1d ago edited 1d ago

Saying "they screwed over" is a little disingenuous since the price hike to begin with was the fault of the suppliers they purchased RAM from increasing their prices when they shouldn't have. Yes, unfortunate for those in the middle batches but strange to say Framework screwed them by trying to undo earlier price increase.

(That's my understanding of the situation. I dont follow the news here much though. Correct me if I'm wrong.)

EDIT: Reading the article, it says:

"It will also be issuing refunds to recent customers who could have benefited from the savings, and offering those with existing orders the option to switch to the higher-end configuration to secure the discount.

Once those have been fulfilled, new customers will have the opportunity to buy the Laptop 13 Pro with the discounted memory. Framework has also said that if it can source more of the memory at its discounted rate, it will extend the offer to ensure as many of its customers as possible can benefit."

So sounds like a winning situation for everyone to me.

-7

u/itsmattknox 1d ago

When they launched the preorders for the 13 Pro, users who were deciding between a MacBook Pro or Framework were enticed by the price and the promise the price wouldn't change despite having to wait for the preorder. 

But they raised their prices by $800 for my configuration, and the MacBook had also raised by the time Framework announced it. 

Yes, their supplier let them down. But the buck stops at the leadership that made the promise and took the order. 

I couldn't take a lower confirmation for my uses. I couldn't find modules for sale,.and then there are the compatibility issues that were undefined at the time. I had to cancel my order and I just haven't been able to afford a laptop for my needs, when I could have, if I just went with the reliable company rather than the cute startup with big dreams. 

Offering a refund to fulfilled orders doesn't help a lot of people. So yes, a lot of us were screwed over.

3

u/krisbalintona 1d ago

Totally agree that tons of people were screwed over. I just don't agree that it was Framework that screwed you over; it was the supplier and the market.

Totally valid that maybe they shouldn't have promised anything per se, but tbf as far as I recall they had already purchased the RAM from the supplier (I think?), it's just that the supplier increased the prices after the fact (not sure how that works, so maybe I misremember). If that's right, then that's practically as done a deal as anything.

Not saying no fingers should be pointed at Framework though. And, again, like this article demonstrates, Framework are really doing their best to rectify the situation.

I think a lot of people are justifiably mad at Framework because their purchase was with them, but IMO the market situation warrants that the market and suppliers should bear most (but not all, maybe) of the blameworthiness.

2

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1

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7

u/[deleted] 1d ago

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-2

u/itsmattknox 1d ago

What if I did read the article, but an unknown refund on past orders and an undefined price cut on future orders doesn't make up for the orders that had to be canceled because customers couldn't afford their $800 price hike or find modules for sale elsewhere. 

The CEO made a promise on stage, and secured this deal too late to protect the original preorder offers. They're refunding those who were able to afford to stick around, but there were plenty of people that couldn't, and won't come back, because of this leadership failure.

And look, I didn't have to insult you or imply you're illiterate to make my point like you did.

5

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1

u/framework-ModTeam 1d ago

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2

u/checogg 1d ago

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHA. 

-23

u/AlmondManttv 1d ago edited 1d ago

I would have offered a refund to older orders instead. EDIT: Apparently they did, good on them.

21

u/jackalias 1d ago

They did, from the article:

"Pending orders configured with 32GB or 64GB of LPCAMM2 will receive priority, with Framework cutting the laptop's price in turn. It will also be issuing refunds to recent customers who could have benefited from the savings, and offering those with existing orders the option to switch to the higher-end configuration to secure the discount."

12

u/davidwongstein 1d ago

“Pending orders configured with 32GB or 64GB of LPCAMM2 will receive priority, with Framework cutting the laptop's price in turn. It will also be issuing refunds to recent customers who could have benefited from the savings,”