Framework 13 Pro Delayed One Month Over Display, Trackpad Bugs

Key Takeaways

• Framework 13 Pro shipments delayed from late June to late July due to two hardware bugs
• Haptic touchpad has a PCB electrical issue causing rare resets; display needed a firmware fix
• Mainboard-only orders still shipping in June, but full laptop reviews won't appear until July

Framework has delayed its 13 Pro laptop by one month. The company discovered two hardware issues during final testing and decided to fix them before shipping rather than push out a flawed product.

In an email sent to pre-order customers, Framework said shipments will now begin in late July instead of late June. The delay affects the full laptop configurations. Mainboard-only orders are still on track for June delivery.

Two Bugs, Two Fixes

The first problem involves the haptic touchpad. Framework engineers found a bug where the touchpad would "rarely" reset itself after repeated clicking. An investigation traced the issue to an electrical fault in the PCB. The company is now testing a revised PCB design before mass production.

The haptic trackpad is a key selling point for the 13 Pro. Framework designed it specifically to attract Mac users who want to click anywhere on the trackpad surface. As Framework's team explained during a hands-on session last week, Mac users expect that functionality, and the new trackpad delivers it.

The second issue affects the custom display. The 13.5-inch panel runs at 2880x1920 resolution with 700-nit peak brightness. Framework found a bug with the current panel that required a firmware update to resolve. If you planned to buy the display separately, that's also delayed until July.

“We believe it is better to delay the product to ensure the experience matches our standards than to ship a compromised device.”

— Nirav Patel, CEO of Framework Computer

What's Still Shipping on Time

Mainboard shipments are not affected. Both the Ultra Series 3 and Ryzen AI 300 variants will ship in June as planned. If you pre-ordered just the mainboard for an existing Framework chassis, your order stays on schedule.

There's a catch for early adopters. Framework says press reviews of the complete laptop won't go live until July. That means anyone receiving a mainboard in June won't have full reviews to consult before the hardware arrives.

Linux Outselling Windows

One interesting detail from Framework CEO Nirav Patel: the Linux pre-loaded version of the 13 Pro is outselling the Windows configuration. That's a sign of how far Linux has come as a daily driver operating system, though it also reflects Framework's customer base. Their modular, repairable laptops tend to attract technically minded users who are comfortable with Linux.

The Framework 13 Pro ships with either Windows or Linux. It features a full CNC aluminum chassis, a power-optimized display with touch support, and the new haptic trackpad. The company has marketed it as a "MacBook Pro for Linux users," targeting professionals who want Mac-like build quality without the locked-down ecosystem.

Community Response

Reactions on Reddit's r/framework and Hacker News have been largely positive. Most commenters praised Framework for choosing to fix hardware bugs before shipment rather than relying on software patches to hide issues. That approach aligns with Framework's brand identity: a company that prioritizes long-term product quality over shipping dates.

Some frustration exists among early adopters who planned professional workflows around the original June release. A one-month delay can disrupt project timelines, especially for users buying the laptop as their primary work machine.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the Framework 13 Pro ship?

Framework now expects to ship the 13 Pro in late July 2024, one month later than the original late June date.

What caused the Framework 13 Pro delay?

Two hardware bugs: an electrical issue in the haptic trackpad's PCB causing rare resets, and a firmware bug in the custom display panel.

Are Framework mainboards still shipping in June?

Yes. Both the Ultra Series 3 and Ryzen AI 300 mainboards are still on schedule for June delivery.

Can I still buy the Framework 13 Pro display separately?

Yes, but standalone display shipments are also delayed until July.

Source: PCGamer latest