Framework, a manufacturer of replaceable modular laptops, announced that its first batch of Framework Laptop 13 Pro will be shipped about a month later than originally planned. This new 13-inch flagship, which some users call the "MacBook Pro for Linux users," was originally scheduled to be shipped in June. The first batch of orders is currently expected to be delayed to July, and some orders may even slip to early August. For users who are not in the first batch, orders originally planned to be shipped in July will be postponed to August. Some users will have to wait until early September to receive the new machine.
It is reported that Framework has informed users who pre-ordered Laptop 13 Pro via email of the reasons for the delay, which mainly involve two key new components: a new tactile trackpad and a customized display. Officials stated that orders that only include motherboard pre-orders or do not include the above-mentioned new components will still be shipped as planned and will not be affected.
Regarding the tactile touchpad, Framework has internally iterated more than ten firmware versions. However, during pre-mass production testing, the team discovered a grounding problem in the circuit board design, which would cause the touchpad to reset itself after multiple clicks. Framework then worked with suppliers Lite-On and Boréas to troubleshoot the fault and confirmed that the circuit board needed to be redesigned. Only touchpads using the newly designed circuit board would be put into the assembly of the whole machine, so the shipment of the whole machine was forced to press the pause button.
At the same time, the custom display used in the Laptop 13 Pro also exposed firmware flaws during the ramp-up stage of mass production. Framework is working with panel supplier China Star Optoelectronics (CSOT) to develop new display firmware, which is expected to be ready at a similar time to the updated touchpad module, allowing the entire machine to return to normal shipment pace.
For users who have placed an order but cannot accept the delay, Framework said they can choose to cancel the order and receive a full refund of the deposit previously paid. The company emphasized that this proactive postponement of shipments is to ensure that users get the corrected version after discovering hardware design and firmware problems, rather than making up for quality risks through repairs or large-scale recalls after the product is launched.