 |
| Framework is updating storage on all pre-orders of the 13 Pro for free. |
In a move that's sending ripples through the tech community, Framework has just dropped a significant update that's got early adopters doing a double-take. The modular laptop pioneer is swapping out all PCIe Gen 5 SSDs in its upcoming Laptop 13 Pro for the new AData XPG Mars 970—a drive promising better performance and efficiency at a substantially lower cost. But before you celebrate too hard, there's some fine print worth reading twice.
What's Actually Changing?
Here's the headline everyone's talking about: if you've already pre-ordered a Framework Laptop 13 Pro, your storage is getting a surprise upgrade. Customers who selected the 500GB option will automatically be bumped up to the 1TB XPG Mars 970 at a price lower than what they originally paid. Yes, you read that correctly—more storage for less money.
The new drive comes in 1TB and 2TB configurations, and the pricing structure is genuinely surprising. The new 1TB tier actually undercuts what the old 500GB option cost, making this one of those rare moments where technology gets both better and cheaper simultaneously.
The DRAM Elephant in the Room
Now for the part that's got storage enthusiasts scratching their heads. According to available information—or rather, the lack thereof—there's no confirmed controller or DRAM information for this drive. The concerning implication? It appears to be a DRAM-less design.
For the uninitiated, DRAM-less SSDs use system memory as a cache instead of having dedicated memory onboard. While this keeps costs down and can be fine for everyday computing, it does raise some questions. Long-term reliability might be a concern, and write speeds are highly likely to tank as the drive gets full. If you're planning to push this laptop with heavy workloads, you'll want to keep an eye on that storage capacity.
Why Framework Made This Switch
The decision appears to be driven by simple economics. Memory pricing has been volatile, and Framework is navigating these waters by making strategic component choices. The company's blog post delves into these challenges, and if you want the full technical breakdown straight from the source, you can read their official blog post.
Framework's approach here is interesting—they're essentially absorbing the cost difference to pass savings on to customers while also upgrading storage capacities. For a company known for its commitment to repairability and modularity, this feels like a move that aligns with their value proposition: giving customers more for less.
The Catch: CPU Pricing Warning
Here's where things get tricky. Framework is warning that CPU pricing is expected to rise soon, meaning overall system prices for new orders may increase in the coming weeks. It's a classic "act now" situation, but with a twist—the company is being remarkably transparent about it.
All existing pre-orders are getting the upgrade automatically, and order totals will be adjusted accordingly. For those still sitting on the fence, Framework recommends placing a pre-order now, noting that all pre-orders remain fully refundable until shipments begin. This means you can lock in current pricing without being locked into a commitment.
Should You Take the Plunge?
The Laptop 13 Pro represents Framework's most ambitious device yet, and this storage situation adds an interesting twist. On one hand, you're getting a better drive at a lower price—that's objectively good news. On the other hand, the DRAM-less design might give pause to power users who regularly push their storage to the limit.
For most users, however, this represents a net positive. The performance benefits of the XPG Mars 970 should be noticeable in everyday use, and the capacity upgrade is genuinely generous. The key is understanding the limitations: if you're doing heavy video editing, running virtual machines, or working with large datasets, you might want to consider the 2TB option and keep an eye on that drive performance as it fills up.
The Bottom Line
Framework has pulled off something rare in the tech industry: a product upgrade that actually saves customers money. The switch to the AData XPG Mars 970 makes sense from both a performance and cost perspective, even with the DRAM caveat. The real question is timing—with CPU prices expected to rise, the window for locking in current pricing might be shorter than you think.
For existing pre-order customers, this is a win. For potential buyers, the calculus is simple: place a refundable order now to lock in pricing, then decide when you have all the information. In a market where prices seem to only go in one direction, that's not bad advice.
Source : frame.work