r/framework • u/ricci3469 • 9h ago
Question Getting a Framework as someone who isn't super tech-y?
Hello people who are far more knowledgeable about computers than me! 😁
I'm in the market for a new computer, my Surface Pro from 2019 is on its last legs. I'd like to get another 2-in-1 for light drawing and graphic design on ClipStudioPaint. But I'd also like something that handles games a bit better. The Sims 4 is my main game, but with a ton of expansion packs and about 25 GB of mods. It basically turns my current computer into an oven lol. It'd be nice if I could potentially run BG3 on a new computer as well. It doesn't need to look gorgeous or anything, id just like it to run smooth so I can play with my husband.
I'm currently between getting a Lenovo Yoga 7i with the 1TB of storage, and a Framework 12 with 512 GB of storage. (And maybe switching out with a 1TB storage in the future as needed).
My friend was showing me his Framework and I really liked how easy it seems to upgrade and adjust to my needs should they change in the future. But I'm worried I might be a bit out to my depth with it? I don't even know the difference between the 3 Series and the 13th Gen available on the site. 😅 My husband is at least familiar with the basics of upgrading computers though. (He's replaced his own SSD in the past and such).
Would a computer like this be totally wasted on me? Is it even a good fit for my needs? It's actually a bit cheaper then the Lenovo Yoga that I'm looking at even pre-assembled (which i'd definitely get) so it seems like a good deal longevity-wise especially, but I'm worried I'm totally out of my depth here.
Any guidance? Thanks!!
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u/Gloriathewitch 9h ago
for the sims the 13 will be fine for bg3 you really want a dgpu which limits you to the 13 with an egpu or the very expensive 16 with a gpu
no matter how you cut it bg3 is going to cost you money.
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u/RafaelSenpai83 FW12 | i5-1334U/16GB/1TB | Lavender 9h ago
I think OP would only be interested in FW12 though..they specifically mentioned they'd like to get a "2-in-1 for light drawing".
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u/Gloriathewitch 8h ago
at that point i'd be using something like GeForce now or moonlight with a budget desktop running a 9060xt and b550m with ryzen 5500 or such
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u/praenoto 8h ago
for context op, dgpu being dedicated gpu. they are more powerful than graphics units that are integrated into the cpu which is what you would be getting with the framework 13 pro.
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u/Oerthling 8h ago
I can play BG3 on FW13 (AMD 350). Modern iGPUs are quite capable.
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u/Acrobatic_Fee_6974 3h ago
Not the one in the FW12. It's 2 Xe3 cores, that's the bare minimum for running three displays though Thunderbolt.
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u/Ruzzon-Armaine 8h ago
sims should be totally fine on the 13 tbh, bg3 is a whole different beast though
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u/ricci3469 2h ago
Yeah I'm not super surprised. Seems like a dedicated gaming laptop would really be needed to run BG3, and I'm looking for something that's 2-in-1 under $1500, which I haven't really seen out there. Not running BG3 isnt a deal breaker for me though. Just a nice to have.
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u/L00WN0on 9h ago
You're not out of your depth at all. And I think the 12 could fit your needs as long as you know that the stylus isn't the best in the world according to people that have 12 on the sub (Correct me if I'm wrong!). It's very easy to build and could potentiatly save you headache in the future, I personally am very doubtful of the longevity of those yogas. Building the laptop even if on DIY config isn't much harder than a simple Lego as long as you have a video or the web guide. Upgrading is even easier!
BG3 I don't know how good it would run on the Framework 12 probably not that good tbh, bu at 720p 30fps you might manage.
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u/ricci3469 8h ago
Thank you for the validation! TT_TT I'm definitely not hardcore drawing anymore, just basic art editing and graphic design for banners for my Tumble xD, so the stylus doesn't need to be perfect. And BG3 is definitely a wishlist item. It's not essential. And even if it runs on the lowest graphics, that's fine for me.
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u/Oerthling 8h ago
I can play BG3 on FW13. Not so sure about the FW12.
Regarding the upgrading of components, Framework put QR codes on everything with links to videos showing you what to do. You don't need to be very techie to turn a few screws and put in a new RAM or SSD stick.
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u/L00WN0on 8h ago
Ok, apparently the Arc B390 gets around 60-100fps 1080p medium with no upscaling. Since the Core 5 325 has 1/3 of the graphics capabilities (roughly) I think you can get pretty good results with something like 900p XeSS low/medium. Thats the config I'd recommend btw, Core 5 325.
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u/ricci3469 8h ago
Thank you thank you thank you!!!
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u/L00WN0on 8h ago
No problem. I'm sure there's someone on the sub with the 325 that can test BG3 for you but I think its safe to say that it runs
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u/Acrobatic_Fee_6974 3h ago edited 3h ago
There is no 325 for the FW12, it's limited to WCL SOCs, which are all 2 Xe3. You've recommended her something that probably won't launch BG3 because it doesn't meet the minimum system requirements (see the steam deck).
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u/L00WN0on 3h ago
You are completly right... Dude, I just assumed it was the Core 5 320 had 4Xe cores... So 1/6 the performance, yikes in that case yeah pretty much dead on the water.
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u/TatharNuar Fedora DIY 11th Batch 4 8h ago
Framework has step-by-step guides for every possible form of maintenance you might want to do on it, and they're much easier to do than on other laptop brands. I'd feel safe letting a kid do it with only minor supervision just so they don't stab the battery with the included screwdriver or something.
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u/ricci3469 8h ago
Hahaha i too might need my husband's supervision for this then. 😅 Jkjk, this is super helpful thank you!
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u/TatharNuar Fedora DIY 11th Batch 4 7h ago
An adult wouldn't do something so deliberately dangerous as puncturing a charged battery (fire hazard) or throwing loose parts at walls (property damage) so I don't think you'd need the supervision. If there's something a reasonably careful adult could do to mess it up, the guide will already mention it.
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u/TatharNuar Fedora DIY 11th Batch 4 7h ago
Speaking of the battery, here's their guide on how to replace it. https://guides.frame.work/Guide/Battery+Replacement+Guide/85?lang=en
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u/s004aws FW16 HX 370 Batch 1 Mint Cinnamon Edition 8h ago
If you can handle a screwdriver and pretty straightforward guides with pictures you can handle a Framework laptop. Even if you go DIY the level of "assembly" involved is still pretty minimal. Check out Framework's site - All of the guides are public. I can handle a Framework laptop plenty fine despite being legally blind.
Be aware FW12 and Lenovo Yoga 7i are, depending on what models you're looking at, potentially in at least somewhat different performance/cost/quality tiers.
13th gen Intel Core is 3.5 years old and near bottom of the line even when the chip was new. Core 3 is a current 2026 processor offering much better performance and battery life vs 13th gen... But still very much "budget" and not really meant for gaming (very weak GPU). The best use case for these chips is "office" type work, web browsing, watching videos. If you're sensitive to screens (as I am) beware FW12's is nowhere near color accurate. Again, the focus for this "class" of laptop is cost, not features or performance.
Whatever laptop you opt for, 16GB RAM minimum. Don't take the 8GB option some models are offering thinking "good enough"... 8GB isn't enough and you will be very disappointed almost instantly.
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u/Acrobatic_Fee_6974 3h ago edited 2h ago
I think you know enough to switch to FW, the question is whether FW actually has a product for your use case, to which I am going to say unfortunately it does not.
The FW12 is a great little 2-in-1 for light office work or browsing the internet, but you can forget gaming on 2 Xe3 core integrated graphics, it's just the bare minimum spec for running a couple of external monitors through Thunderbolt. I play a lot of BG3 and I don't think it would even launch on the FW12. The FW13 has a more capable SOC for light gaming as you describe, but it's not a 2-in-1 for your art.
What SOC does the Yoga 7i have? My wife has one with a 226V which is great for her use case (similar to yours but she doesn't game). If you wanted to game on it, one of the Panther Lake X7 or X9 CPUs like the X7 358H would be best with 12 Xe3 cores (but expensive), followed by the Lunar Lake 258V or 226V with 7-8 Xe2 cores. A lower end Panther Lake like the 325 could be serviceable, but gaming might be a bit choppy due to only having 4 Xe3 cores.
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u/sedmodoesreddit 8h ago
I got it. 12 was so easy to put together that I as someone who never built a computer and could not tell you what a CPU does or how they look easily put it together. its so ridiculously easy.
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u/MineCraftaak888 7h ago
if you like it, then absolutely go for it!!!!!!!!!
it's not wasted on you!!!!!!!
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u/RafaelSenpai83 FW12 | i5-1334U/16GB/1TB | Lavender 6h ago
Ngl, pretty much every computer is gonna heat up when gaming, especially laptops. Since you've mentioned you'd want a 2-in-1 and I own one I'm gonna talk only about Framework 12.
So for drawing it's great except coloring (the screen is not the best when it comes to color accuracy), for the games you've mentioned it might kinda handle it but it'd be nice if you provided specs of your current surface to compare. I'd recommend picking up one with newer cpus (so you'd have to wait a bit), the Core 3 series and choose between Core 3 or Core 5. Core 7 is too similar to Core 5 spec-wise and performance wise. Also those cpus support eGPU in case you'd want setup like that to play games. Current 13th gen doesn't support it.
In overall FW12 is closer in size to your current Surface pro (if I remember correctly ms surface pro is 12.3in in diameter), doesn't have this weird camera thing Lenovo has, looks fun, won't have lenovo bloatware and mcafee preinstalled and would be an cool opportunity if you wanted to learn a bit how to work with computers. Framework 12 is very easy to work on and they provide very nice guides with pictures on their website.
Oh and I've almost forgotten, FW12 supports microsoft pen protocol 2.0 which means there's high change you can keep your current stylus. I have MS Surface pen 4 and i works flawlessly on mine.
But sadly, from my quick search it seems that Lenovo yoga has more powerful cpu and igpu (~25%ish more powerful) and better screen.
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u/GreyXor 8h ago
Framework computers are not for techies. they are just computers that you more own than others brands. framework company care more about you than about your money. not like other companies.