Framework

Framework has announced a significant price update for the new Laptop 13 Pro, motivated by the sudden increase in the costs of LPCAMM2 memory and, more generally, by the rise in prices of numerous platform components. The company explains that it has so far absorbed supply chain increases internally to keep pre-order prices unchanged, but the latest update from the memory supplier has made this strategy economically unsustainable.

According to CEO Nirav Patel, the cost of LPCAMM2 modules has turned out to be over double that of previously purchased stocks. The company expected an increase in the range of several dozen percentage points between the second and third quarters of the year, but the actual price hike has been much higher, posing a real risk to the financial sustainability of the business.

The impact exclusively affects the Framework Laptop 13 Pro configurations based on Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processors, which are the only models adopting LPCAMM2 memory. Versions equipped with AMD Ryzen AI 300 processors continue to use traditional SO-DIMM modules and are not affected by this specific issue.

Framework clarifies that it still has a sufficient number of LPCAMM2 modules to meet all pre-orders already placed, but not in the same distribution of capacity requested by customers. To limit the effects of the situation, the company has reorganized the assignment of available memory. 64 GB modules will be used to cover orders up to Batch 4 of the laptops and up to Batch 7 of the mainboards. Subsequent orders configured with 64 GB will instead receive a 32 GB module while maintaining the originally expected price for the 32 GB configuration. Once these stocks are exhausted, the remaining 32 GB modules will be allocated to pre-orders of the DIY Edition versions and mainboards up to the same batches; beyond that threshold, such configurations will be converted to 16 GB while maintaining the price intended for this capacity.

The company also emphasizes that pre-assembled configurations with Core X7 Ultra processors and 32 GB of memory will not undergo changes, as there is currently no pre-configured variant with 16 GB. However, Framework plans to introduce this option later.

At the same time, prices for new pre-orders have also been updated. The 16 GB LPCAMM2 module remains temporarily offered at $239, but Framework plans to increase its price once the stocks purchased at previous cost levels are exhausted. Price increases have already been applied to the higher capacities: the 32 GB module goes from $439 to $800, while the 64 GB module rises from $849 to $1,600.

The price increase does not only concern memory. The new price lists for laptops and mainboards also reflect the increase in the cost of Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processors in the X7 and X9 configurations, the hike in Windows licenses, and the increase in prices of memory, storage units, and other silicon components used also in some configurations based on AMD Ryzen AI 300 processors.

Alongside the increases, Framework also reports some price reductions achieved thanks to the work of its Supply Chain department. DDR5 modules of 48 GB and WD SN850X SSDs of 8 TB and SN7100 of 1 TB are becoming less expensive, while prices for DDR5 modules of 16 GB and SN850X SSDs of 1 TB and SN7100 of 4 TB are rising. For all pre-orders already placed, the company will continue to honor the original prices in the event of increases, while it will automatically apply any reductions to products not yet shipped. Any subsequent changes to the configuration, however, will result in the application of new price lists.

Finally, Framework highlights how the market trend for memory and storage continues to be characterized by a general upward price trend, accompanied by strong fluctuations among specific components and brands. The company continues to work to contain increases as much as possible and provide customers with predictable purchase conditions, but the current context of the semiconductor supply chain makes it increasingly difficult to absorb cost increases internally and to plan predictably.