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According to Tomshardware, Framework is adjusting its pricing strategy for the Laptop 13 Pro DIY Edition to counter broader market trends. By switching to more cost-effective storage components, the company aims to provide a competitive edge in a volatile hardware environment where many other manufacturers are raising prices.
Storage upgrades and new configurations
The primary driver for the price drop is the integration of ADATA Mars 970 Plus SSDs. These PCIe 5.0 drives were selected because they cost substantially less than the previous, undisclosed storage model used by Framework. The transition allows the company to offer high-performance storage while lowering the overall entry point for DIY customers.
Key changes regarding the storage configurations include:
- Existing pre-orders for 500GB drives will be automatically upgraded to 1TB at no extra cost.
- A new 2TB configuration option is now available in the product configurator.
- The Mars 970 Plus drive features read speeds reaching up to 11,000 MB/s.
- The drives utilize the Silicon Motion SM2508 controller for improved efficiency and reliability.
Market challenges and future price hikes
Despite the immediate savings on storage, Framework warns that these gains may be temporary. The company indicated it is receiving signals of an impending CPU price hike, which would necessitate a general price increase across the Laptop 13 Pro lineup once new components arrive. This move highlights the ongoing difficulty of navigating a global component crisis where supply chain instability dictates final retail costs.
While PCIe 5.0 drives are often avoided in laptops due to high thermal demands, Framework is leveraging them to provide superior performance for its modular enthusiasts. However, because current inventory for these specific SSDs is limited, the company advises customers to place pre-orders quickly to secure the lower pricing before the next round of hardware adjustments takes effect.