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Framework Delays US Preorders for New Laptop 12 Amid Tariff Concerns
Framework has announced that it will not be opening preorders for its new Laptop 12 in the United States today. The company is currently assessing the implications of tariffs instituted during Donald Trump’s administration. However, the Laptop 12 will still be available for purchase in other regions, including Canada and Europe.
The Laptop 12 is notable for being Framework’s smallest offering to date and its first model with a convertible touchscreen. Users can expect specifications like a 13th Gen Intel Core i3 or i5 processor, a 1920×1200 touchscreen compatible with a stylus, and options for up to 48GB of RAM and 2TB of storage. True to Framework’s design ethos, the device is modular and repairable. It will also be available in appealing pastel shades of pink and mint, which have generated positive feedback from early observers.
While the company has not disclosed specific pricing details, it has positioned the Laptop 12 as an entry-level option that will be more affordable than its Laptop 13. Currently, the DIY version of the Laptop 13 starts at $899, with the prebuilt variant priced at $1,099. This change in pricing strategy comes after Framework suspended sales of certain lower-cost Laptop 13 models in the U.S. to mitigate losses resulting from the new tariffs.
Products manufactured in Taiwan, where Framework produces its laptops, are now subject to a significant 32% tariff. The company has communicated its response to these tariffs through a post on Bluesky, stating that it will implement “the most reversible” adjustments, which include delaying or removing certain products from its lineup. Framework has emphasized that it aims to refrain from raising prices until it has definitive confirmation that there are no alternate solutions.
For consumers in Canada, Europe, Australia, and Taiwan, preorders for the Laptop 12 will open today at 1 PM ET, coinciding with the release of pricing information.
Source
www.theverge.com