If you need a laptop for school or work, our top recommendation is Apple’s 13-Inch MacBook Air with the M4 chip, which is at an all-time low price of $799 ($200 off) at Amazon and Best Buy. The machine is thin and light, yet its M4 chip is powerful enough to handle more intense workloads, including 4K video editing, or keeping dozens of tabs open. It can even play games like Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimateand Dead Island 2 at respectable frame rates.
Apple MacBook Air 13 (2025, M4)
The M4 MacBook Air has a speedy processor, and double the RAM of previous models. It has a thin and light design, all day battery life, and still starts with 256GB of storage.
One of the biggest changes with this generation of MacBook Air is that Apple finally bumped the default amount of RAM from 8GB up to 16GB. Having double the amount of memory compared to earlier models will allow you to run more apps simultaneously without slowdown. The entry-level MacBook Air with M4 still starts with 256GB of storage, which can’t be upgraded, so you may want to pick up a configuration with a larger SSD instead if you work with a lot of large files.
The M4 chip powering the laptop is over 20 percent faster than the M3, according to tests we conducted while reviewing the machine. We don’t expect it to struggle at all during everyday tasks like streaming video, or working on spreadsheets and documents. The processor also yields great battery life, allowing you to get through a day of work or study without reaching for the charger. This is the laptop I use for my work at The Verge, and I’m able to write and go to meetings all day without worrying about the battery dying on me.
The MacBook Air’s 12-megapixel webcam is sufficient for video calls with friends or colleagues, and its speakers sound better than you might be expecting for a laptop this size. And if you need a laptop with a larger screen, the 15-inch MacBook Pro with M4 is on sale starting at $999 ($200 off) at Amazon and Best Buy.
Three more deals worth your time
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 is one of the best foldable phones we’ve tested, but its $2,000 starting price is steep. To make it a bit more digestible, Amazon is offering a free $200 gift card when you pick up the 256GB or 512GB configuration. The Z Fold 7 has a slim design, 8-inch screen when opened, and all-day battery life with moderate use. Its triple-lens camera array impressed us, especially the bokeh effect when taking photos in portrait mode. If you prefer flip phones, Amazon is offering a $100 gift card when you get Samsung’s $1,059.99 Galaxy Z Flip 7 with 128GB of storage , or a $200 gift card when you get the $1,219.99 model with 256GB of storage.
If you want to keep your phone charged while roadtripping this summer, Baseus’ 163 Watt Retractable Car Charger is currently $29.99 ($20 off) at Amazon. The charger has a pair of 31.5-inch retractable USB-C cables, a USB-C port, and a USB-A port. One of the USB-C cables can deliver 67 watts of power, while the others can output around 33 watts each. The charger can be rotated 180 degrees vertically or 270 degrees horizontally, so you can freely adjust its position based on which ports you’re using and the location of your devices.
The Google Pixel Watch 3 is currently $269.99 ($80 off) at Amazon and Best Buy. It’s one of our top recommendations for Android users due to its improved fitness tracking features, screen size, display brightness, and a new feature that’ll call emergency services if it stops detecting a pulse (in the US and Europe only). The smartwatch also benefits from direct integration with Google’s services, so you can check footage from your Nest security camera on your wrist, or use it as a remote for your Google TV. It’s a great watch at a good price, but it’s worth keeping in mind that the Pixel Watch 4 may be announced soon.
Christina Chapman, a 50-year-old Arizona woman, has just been sentenced to 102 months in prison for helping North Korean hackers steal US identities in order to get "remote" IT jobs with more than 300 American companies, including Nike. The scheme funneled millions of dollars to the North Korean state.
Why did Chapman do it? In a letter sent this week to the judge, Chapman said that she was "looking for a job that was Monday through Friday that would allow me to be present for my mom" who was battling cancer. (Her mother died in 2023.) But "the area where we lived didn't provide for a lot of job opportunities that fit what I needed. I also thought that the job was allowing me to help others."
She offered her "deepest and sincerest apologies to any person who was harmed by my actions," thanked the FBI for busting her, and said that when she gets out of prison, she hopes to "pursue the books that I have been working on writing and starting my own underwear company."
Whether you’re shopping for a budget-friendly laptop for school or a sleek machine for everyday productivity, the best Chromebooks can offer surprising functionality for the price. Chromebooks have come a long way from their early days as web-only devices. Now, many Chromebook models feature powerful processors, premium displays and even touchscreen support, making them a compelling alternative to a regular laptop for plenty of users.
There are more options than ever too, from lightweight clamshells to high-end, 2-in-1 designs that can easily replace your daily driver. Whether you're after a new Chromebook for streaming, work or staying on top of emails, there’s likely a model that fits both your budget and your workflow. We’ve tested the top Chromebooks on the market to help you find the right one — whether you’re after maximum value or top-tier performance.
Editor’s note (7/16/25): While I still recommend everything in this guide, there’s one very intriguing new Chromebook I’m in the process of testing. Lenovo, who makes our pick for best overall Chromebook, just released a new premium model. The Chromebook Plus 14 starts at $649 and is the one of the first to use the ARM-based MediaTek Kompanio Ultra 910 chip. Most other performance-focused Chromebooks run on Intel or AMD chips, but so far the Kompanio Ultra has been more than up to what I’ve thrown at it. And the other benefit is battery life — Lenovo promises up to 17 hours. I haven’t fully tested this yet, but from what I’ve seen the ARM chip is unsurprisingly much more efficient than the Intel ones I use on most other Chromebooks. I’m hopeful that this laptop will last for 10 hours of real use, not just playing back video or some other low-power task.
Design-wise, it has more in common with Google’s old Pixelbook Go or even a MacBook Air than most other Chromebooks. It's pleasantly thin (.63 inches) and light (2.58 pounds). It also features a 14-inch OLED display, 256GB of storage and 16GB of RAM. The model I’m testing costs $749, but there’s also a $649 configuration with 12GB of RAM, 128GB of storage and no touchscreen — but it uses the same chip, still has an OLED screen and should get similarly long battery life. The relatively high price makes me hesitate on calling this the best Chromebook for everyone, but it’ll almost certainly be the Chromebook to buy if you care about battery life. I’ll update this guide again once I finish my testing.
What is Chrome OS, and why would I use it over Windows?
This is probably the number one question about Chromebooks. There are plenty of inexpensive Windows laptops on the market, so why bother with Chrome's operating system? Glad you asked. For me, the simple and clean nature of Chrome OS is a big selling point. Chrome OS is based on Google’s Chrome browser, which means most of the programs you can run are web based. There’s no bloatware or unwanted apps to uninstall like you often get on Windows laptops, it boots up in seconds, and you can completely reset to factory settings almost as quickly.
Of course, simplicity will also be a major drawback for some users. Not being able to install native software can be a dealbreaker if you’re a video editor or software developer. But there are also plenty of people who do the majority of their work in a web browser, using tools like Google Docs and spreadsheets for productivity without needing a full Windows setup.
Google and its software partners are getting better every year at supporting more advanced features. For example, Google added video editing tools to the Google Photos app on Chromebooks – it won’t replace Adobe Premiere, but it should be handy for a lot of people. Similarly, Google and Adobe announced Photoshop on the web in 2023, something that brings much of the power of Adobe’s desktop apps to Chromebooks.
Chromebooks can also run Android apps, which greatly expands the amount of software available. The quality varies widely, but it means you can do more with a Chromebook beyond just web-based apps. For example, you can install the Netflix app and save videos for offline watching. Other Android apps like Microsoft Office and Adobe Lightroom are surprisingly capable as well. Between Android apps and a general improvement in web apps, Chromebooks are more than just portals to a browser.
What do Chromebooks do well?
Put simply, web browsing and really anything web based. Online shopping, streaming music and video and using various social media sites are among the most common daily tasks people do on Chromebooks. As you might expect, they also work well with Google services like Photos, Docs, Gmail, Drive, Keep and so on. Yes, any computer that can run Chrome can do that too, but the lightweight nature of Google Chrome OS makes it a responsive and stable platform.
As I mentioned before, Chrome OS can run Android apps, so if you’re an Android user you’ll find some nice ties between the platforms. You can get most of the same apps that are on your phone on a Chromebook and keep info in sync between them. You can also use some Android phones as a security key for your Chromebook or instantly tether your 2-in-1 laptop to use mobile data.
Google continues to tout security as a major differentiator for Chromebooks, and it’s definitely a factor worth considering. Auto-updates are the first lines of defense: Chrome OS updates download quickly in the background and a fast reboot is all it takes to install the latest version. Google says that each webpage and app on a Chromebook runs in its own sandbox as well, so any security threats are contained to that individual app. Finally, Chrome OS has a self-check called Verified Boot that runs every time a device starts up. Beyond all this, the simple fact that you generally can’t install traditional apps on a Chromebook means there are fewer ways for bad actors to access the system.
If you’re interested in Google’s Gemini AI tools, a Chromebook is a good option as well. Every Chromebook in our top picks comes with a full year of Google’s AI Pro plan — this combines the usual Google One perks like 2TB of storage and 10 percent back in purchases from the Google Store with a bunch of AI tools. You’ll get access to Gemini in Chrome, Gmail, Google Docs and other apps, Gemini 2.5 Pro in the Gemini app and more. Given that this plan is $20/month, it’s a pretty solid perk. Chromebook Plus models also include tools like the AI-powered “help me write,” the Google Photos Magic Editor and generative AI backgrounds you can create by filling in a few prompts.
As for when to avoid Chromebooks, the answer is simple: If you rely heavily on a specific native application for Windows or a Mac, chances are you won’t find the exact same option on a ChromeOS device. That’s most true in fields like photo and video editing, but it can also be the case in law or finance. Plenty of businesses run on Google’s G suite software, but more still have specific requirements that a Chromebook might not match. If you’re an iPhone user, you’ll also miss out on the way the iPhone easily integrates with an iPad or Mac. For me, the big downside is not being able to access iMessage on a Chromebook.
Finally, gaming Chromebooks are not ubiquitous, although they’re becoming a slightly more reasonable option with the rise of cloud gaming. In late 2022, Google and some hardware partners announced a push to make Chromebooks with cloud gaming in mind. From a hardware perspective, that means laptops with bigger screens that have higher refresh rates as well as optimizing those laptops to work with services like NVIDIA GeForce Now, Xbox Game Pass and Amazon Luna. You’ll obviously need an internet connection to use these services, but the good news is that playing modern games on a Chromebook isn’t impossible. You can also install Android games from the Google Play Store, but that’s not what most people are thinking of when they want to game on a laptop.
What are the most important specs for a Chromebook?
Chrome OS is lightweight and runs well on fairly modest hardware, so the most important thing to look for might not be processor power or storage space. But Google made it easier to get consistent specs and performance late last year when it introduced the Chromebook Plus initiative. Any device with a Chromebook Plus designation meets some minimum requirements, which happen to be very similar to what I’d recommend most people get if they’re looking for the best laptop they can use every day.
Chromebook Plus models have at least a 12th-gen Intel Core i3 processor, or an AMD Ryzen 3 7000 series processor, both of which should be more than enough for most people. These laptops also have a minimum of 8GB of RAM and 128GB of SSD storage, which should do the trick unless you’re really pushing your Chromebook. All Chromebook Plus models have to have a 1080p webcam, which is nice in these days of constant video calling, and they also all have to have at least a 1080p FHD IPS screen.
Of course, you can get higher specs or better screens if you desire, but I’ve found that basically everything included in the Chromebook Plus target specs makes for a very good experience.
Google has an Auto Update policy for Chromebooks as well, and while that’s not exactly a spec, it’s worth checking before you buy. Last year, Google announced that Chromebooks would get software updates and support for an impressive 10 years after their release date. This support page lists the Auto Update expiration date for virtually every Chromebook ever, but a good rule of thumb is to buy the newest machine you can to maximize your support.
How much should I spend on a Chromebook?
Chromebooks started out notoriously cheap, with list prices often coming in under $300. But as they’ve gone more mainstream, they’ve transitioned from being essentially modern netbooks to some of the best laptops you’ll want to use all day. As such, prices have increased: At this point, you should expect to spend at least $400 if you want a solid daily driver. There are still many Chromebooks out there available at a low price that may be suitable as secondary devices, but a good Chromebook that can be an all-day, every-day laptop will cost more. But, notably, even the best Chromebooks usually cost less than the best Windows laptops, or even the best “regular” laptops out there.
There are a handful of premium Chromebooks that approach or even exceed $1,000 that claim to offer better performance and more processing power, but I don’t recommend spending that much. Generally, that’ll get you a better design with more premium materials, as well as more powerful internals and extra storage space, like a higher-capacity SSD. Of course, you also sometimes pay for the brand name. But, the specs I outlined earlier are usually enough, and there are multiple good premium Chromebooks in the $700 to $800 range at this point.
Samsung’s Galaxy Chromebook Plus, released in late 2024, is one of the more unique Chromebooks out there. It’s extremely thin and light, at 0.46 inches and 2.6 pounds, but it manages to include a 15.6-inch display in that frame. That screen is a 1080p panel that’s sharp and bright, but its 16:9 aspect ratio made things feel a bit cramped when scrolling vertically. Performance is very good, and the keyboard is solid, though I’m not a fan of the number pad as it shifts everything to the left. At $700 it’s not cheap, but that feels fair considering its size and capabilities. If you’re looking for a big screen laptop that is also super light, this Chromebook merits consideration, even if it’s not the best option for everyone.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/best-chromebooks-160054646.html?src=rss
The MSI Titan 18 HX AI is as powerful as it is heavy. If you want top-tier performance with more portability than a tower PC, and you can accept the price tag, this is a fantastic choice.
The M4 MacBook Air is on sale for a cool $150 off right now.
Amazon has solid discounts on laptops during its four-day Prime Day sales event. One of the nice things about shopping during Prime Day, even if you don’t have the requisite Prime subscription, is that Best Buy and others often follow suit with their own competing deals.
We found deals on models The Verge swears by — ones that should treat you well for years to come. A laptop purchase is extra tricky because it’s usually a multipurpose machine for a wide range of people with specific needs.
Amazon is a great place to shop for MacBook deals, as it regularly offers discounts on MacBook Air and Pro models. The current $150 discounts on the 13-inch and 15-inchM4 MacBook Air are pretty much a no-brainer for anyone currently in the market for Apple’s thin-and-light. They’re among the best laptops you can buy for just $849 and $1,049, respectively. The 13-inch was recently $50 cheaper, but the 15-inch is matching its all-time low.
Apple MacBook Air 13 (2025, M4)
The MacBook Air is by far the laptop The Verge recommends the most frequently. The latest generation isn’t revolutionary, but it packs a speedy M4 chip, more RAM, and an improved webcam for a lower starting price of $999. Read our review.
The larger, 15-inch version of the M4 MacBook Air is much the same as its smaller counterpart. But it packs a bigger screen and better speakers into a compact package. Read our review.
If you prefer an even better value on a slightly older MacBook Air, Best Buy is selling the 13-inch M2 model from 2022 for $699 ($100 off). In addition to the M2 chip, which remains good enough for most people, it offers 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. Read our original review.
2020 MacBook Air with M1 (256GB)
The 2020 MacBook Air has been discontinued but remains a great value. It comes outfitted with the company’s original M1 chip in one of three different colors (silver, space gray, and gold).
The entry-level MacBook Pro with M4 starts with 16GB of RAM — double that of its predecessor — and a 512GB SSD for the same starting price of $1,599. It also gets a third USB-C / Thunderbolt 4 port and comes in a new space black option.
The 16-inch MacBook Pro with Apple’s mid-tier M4 Pro chip, 24GB of RAM, and 512GB SSD is $2,249 ($250 off) at Amazon. Its M4 Pro has 14 CPU cores and 20 GPU cores, so it’s suited for most creative applications like photo and video editing. And it still has excellent battery life to match all that power. Read our review.
Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2024, M4 Max)
Apple’s flagship laptop has a 16-inch screen and starts with 36GB of RAM, 1TB SSD, and an M4 Max chip with 14-core CPU / 32-core GPU. Read our review.
The 13.8-inch Surface Laptop is the most affordable of Microsoft’s 2024 Copilot Plus models. The MacBook rival uses Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X chipsets — which are said to offer substantial performance and battery life improvements — and its keyboard is the first with a dedicated Copilot key.
Microsoft’s latest Surface Pro is smaller, with a new design and updated keyboard. It’s powered by Qualcomm’s Arm64 Snapdragon X Plus chip. Read our review.
The slightly older, slightly larger Surface Pro 11 (13-inch, 2024) is selling for $869.99 ($330 off) at Amazon. The Arm-based Windows tablet convertible comes equipped with a 10-core Snapdragon X Plus chip, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB SSD. It offers great hardware and a beautiful 120Hz screen.
The Acer Swift 16 AI is on sale for a very low $799.99 ($450 off) at Best Buy. It’s the 16-inch version of the Swift 14 AI I recently reviewed and mostly liked. But the best part of the bigger Swift 16 over the 14 is it maintains the plethora of ports and has a much higher-quality screen, with a 2880 x 1800 OLED panel. Its other key specs include an Intel Core 7 Ultra 256V (Lunar Lake) chip, 16GB of RAM, and 1TB SSD. This is quite the spec list for 800 bucks.
Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition
Lenovo’s Lunar Lake-powered laptop features a sizable 15.3-inch IPS display with crisp 2880 x 1800 resolution, as well as loud speakers and a great keyboard. It’s got far from the best trackpad, but the Core Ultra 7 256V processor inside it is a pretty snappy performer for an everyday Windows machine. Read our review.
The Asus ROG Strix G16, a stripped-down version of the Strix Scar featured in our buying guide, is on sale at Amazon for $1,274.99 ($225 off). It has an Nvidia RTX 5060 GPU, Intel Raptor Lake Core i7 14650HX processor, 16GB of RAM, and 1TB SSD.
If you prefer the ROG Strix G16 with a little more power, the model with an RTX 5070 Ti is $1,999.99 ($400 off) at Amazon, and with an even higher-end RTX 5080 it’s $2,399.99 ($500 off) at Amazon.
There are also a couple of deals on lower-cost Asus TUF gaming laptops with last-gen graphics. The Asus TUF A14 with RTX 4050 graphics is $899.99 ($300 off) Amazon. It’s got an AMD Ryzen 7 AI CPU, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB SSD — all housed in a portable 14-inch chassis. The larger 16-inch Asus TUF F16 with RTX 4050 is $849.99 ($250 off) at Amazon. It’s configured with an Intel Core 5 210H (Raptor Lake) CPU, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB SSD.
HP Victus 15 (2025, RTX 4050)
The Victus 15 is a popular, budget-friendly gaming laptop that now comes with RTX 4050 graphics, more RAM, and an improved 144Hz screen.
Lenovo’s Chromebook Duet 5 is a little long in the tooth, but for $379 ($19 off) at Amazon, it remains one of the cheapest Chromebooks with an OLED screen. Read our review.
Best laptop / computer accessory deals
Elgato Prompter
A teleprompter is a luxury. They help you make it look effortless to look at your camera as you read from a script or a chat log. Elgato’s option includes a small screen and a mirror, the latter of which allows you to see what you need to look at without breaking eye contact with viewers.
Razer’s Basilisk V3 Pro gaming mouse is currently on sale for $90.04 (about $38 off) at Amazon. It’s been slightly cheaper before, but this is a good price for the RGB-laden gaming mouse with a speedy sensor, ample customization, and a tiltable, fast-scrolling wheel.
The SteelSeries Aerox 3 Wireless gaming mouse is down to $59.98 ($60 off) at Amazon in black, though you can also get it in white or a translucent “ghost” color for $69.99 ($50 off). It’s an ultra-light mouse with a skeletonized design that I personally own and use. It has a good sensor, tri-mode compatibility (wired, 2.4GHz, and Bluetooth), and bright, colorful RGB lighting — especially in the ghost version.
SteelSeries’ expansive Arena 9 surround sound speaker system is selling for $449.99 ($230 off) at Amazon. The 5.1 speaker setup features a boom-y subwoofer, wireless satellite rear channels, and customizable RGB lighting. Read our initial impressions.
Samsung’s speedy, 2TB 990 Pro SSD is selling for $149.99 ($60 off) at Amazon with a pre-installed heatsink. The NVMe drive is fast enough for a high-end PC build and also compatible with the PlayStation 5.
A variety of Wacom drawing tablets are currently on sale at Amazon, including the Cintiq 16 with a 15.4-inch 1080p screen for $484.95 ($165 off) and the screenless Intuos Medium in a pistachio color for $84.95 ($15 off).
The Logitech MX Master 3S wireless mouse is available for $94.99 ($25 off) at Amazon, which is one of the better prices we’ve seen since Logitech raised its pricing in the spring. The MX Masters are a popular go-to in the world of productivity mice, with two scroll wheels that are especially handy for navigating documents and spreadsheets.
The Insta360 Link 2C webcam is available for $99.99 ($50 off) at Amazon. This is the more affordable, non-movable version of Insta360’s webcams, and while it doesn’t feature a gimbal to follow you around, it does offer 4K video and an f/1.8 aperture for low-light settings.
If you want a cheaper webcam, the Logitech Brio 100 is on sale for just $23.74 (about $16 off) at Amazon when you clip the on-page coupon. It supports 1080p video, features a built-in sliding privacy cover, and should be compatible with the Nintendo Switch 2. Just be aware that its five-foot USB-A cable is built in, so there’s no swapping it for a different length or connector.
Update, July 9th: Updated to reflect current pricing / availability and remove several expried deals, including one for Elgato’s Stream Deck Plus.
If I knew how much I’d end up loving my Logitech mice, I would’ve taken better care of them from the start. The MX Master 3S and Lift are my favorite mice for productivity, but their rubber coating can get grimy quickly. My white MX Master 3S looks especially shameful atop my desk, so I’ve been considering purchasing a replacement for a while.
Overturning my plans, though, Logitech recently raised prices across 51 percent of its portfolio, as detailed by YouTube channel Cameron Doughterty Tech. The firm has raised prices by as much as 25 percent.
The MX Master 3S I just mentioned is now $120, which is $20 more than before. That 20 percent increase makes it even harder to justify a new mouse, which I already considered a luxury purchase.
The HP EliteBook Ultra G1i is the company's premier refreshed business laptop, with a design and a screen that will delight every user, including businesses.
But it appears that, tariffs or no, the new Framework Laptop 12 won’t exactly be cheap.
Framework has just opened Laptop 12 pre-orders in the UK, Europe, and Canada starting at €569/£499/$719 CAD. Hours after we published this story, Framework announced it will open US preorders starting at $549 tomorrow, April 10th.
That’s hundreds less than Framework’s other DIY laptops, but a good bit higher than today’s entry-level Windows laptops and Chromebooks even before you consider that price doesn’t include storage, memory, ports, or an operating system. If you want those preinstalled, the machines start at €849, £749, and $1,079 CAD respectively, which is getting closer to what Framework charges for its Laptop 13.
But with the Framework Laptop 12, you’re also paying for a 2-in-1 backflipping touchscreen rather than the latest chips. At £499, it starts with a six-core 13th Gen Intel Core i3-1315U from 2023, with a 10-core i5-1334U available for £150 more. The £749 prebuilt model starts with the same i3 chip, 8GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, and you’ll pay £200 more to upgrade to the i5 and 16GB of memory.
While I’m mostly versed in US pricing, my UK colleague Jess Weatherbed assures me that similarly spec’d laptops can be had for anywhere between £400 and £600, and I can see more powerful thin-and-light machines available at the prices that Framework’s asking today. Again, repairability and modularity aren’t free.
(We’ll add US comparisons tomorrow once Framework reveals full US pricing; as of evening April 9th, it’s only revealed the US starting price.)
Framework isn’t yet selling the color-matched stylus with removable battery it showed off as a companion to this Laptop 12; that will go on sale “soon” and you’ll have to buy it separately. But you can also use any USI 2.0 or MPP 2.0-compatible stylus, the company says, with support for both Windows and Linux.
Speaking of colors, it appears that the prebuilt Laptop 12 will only be available in black for now. You’ll have to choose the mostly preassembled “DIY” version to get cute colors like the mint and pink model.
The first batches of DIY and prebuilt models should ship in June and July, respectively.
Update, April 9th: Added that Framework will put the US version on preorder tomorrow starting at $549.
Thanks to Framework, one of the most transparent computer companies out there, we now have a sterling example of just how ridiculous President Donald Trump’s tariffs can make life in the year 2025.
Today, the company made all of its computers more expensive. Then, it almost immediately reversed that to bring its computers back to their original prices,in real time, all because Trump posted to social media that he was instituting a tariff pause less than a day after his new tariffs began. Then, Framework clarified that some price increases will still apply on China-made components.
Here’s the timeline of events:
At 12:01AM ET Wednesday, Trump’s new tariffs went into effect, including an incredible 104 percent tariff on China and a 32 percent tariff on Taiwan.
At 1:18PM ET, just over 12 hours after the new tariffs were officially in place, Trump announced a 90-day pause on tariffs for most countries but an increased 125 percent rate for China.
At 1:48PM ET, Framework announced that nope, actually, it’s bringing prices back to normal.
At 3:43PM ET, Framework announced that some prices will still reflect increased tariffs on China.
Things are still a bit convoluted, but here’s the general lay of the land: since Trump is still imposing 10 percent tariffs on Taiwan, Framework will continue a pause on selling some of its cheapest laptop configurations “where we’re unable to absorb the remaining 10% tariff.” Additionally, some of Framework’s made-in-China modules now cost more, like $15 for a USB-C port rather than $9, or $49 for an Ethernet card rather than $39 — and Framework says systems that ship with those modules will see those same price increases.
A 10 percent price hike wasn’t the only change Framework made in response to Trump’s tariffs. This very morning, Framework delayed opening preorders for its new entry-level Framework Laptop 12 in the United States even as it put it on sale in other territories. (Here’s my new story about that machine.)
You can read more about Framework’s thought process on the tariffs in its likely-soon-to-be-revised blog post published earlier today, where it initially promised to absorb part of the increased cost. While it builds systems in Taiwan, Framework says that many of its modular components are still manufactured in China where Trump’s tariffs are strongest, and it’s possible that prices for those will continue to go up.
Here is that whole original blog post for posterity, as written by Framework CEO Nirav Patel:
As a result of the new tariffs that were announced last week, we have a series of unfortunate price and availability adjustments we need to make for US customers. We manufacture most of our products in Taiwan, for which we now face a new 32% import tariff into the US. We’re absorbing part of this cost temporarily, and we are increasing prices on in-stock laptops and new system pre-orders by approximately 10% for US customers. For our lowest-priced configurations, where we can’t afford to absorb the tariffs, we’re currently pausing sales to the US. We’re also delaying the pre-order launch of Framework Laptop 12 in the US. We’re continuing to monitor changes to tariffs, and we will make additional adjustments if needed. For non-US customers, there is currently no tariff impact, and we’re keeping the same pricing and availability of our products.
First, I want to acknowledge that this sucks, for you, for us, and for our mission to remake Consumer Electronics. We will get through it. This isn’t the first challenge we’ve faced, and it won’t be the last one. We’ll navigate through and keep focused on delivering great products and fulfilling this mission. We’re going to remain open and transparent throughout and try to bring clarity to a messy situation wherever we can.
Next, let’s go into more detail on the specific changes we’re making. Our Framework Laptops, Mainboards, Framework Desktop, and a subset of our modules are made in Taiwan, which means they are now impacted by a 32% import tariff to the US. Those are the products we’re increasing pricing on by 10% in the US, and we may need to increase this further if tariffs persist. Many of our modules are currently manufactured in China, where we face between 104% and 129% (!!!) tariffs. On those modules, we’re also absorbing part of the tariff and increasing pricing, depending on the category. Our Western Digital storage is manufactured in Malaysia, which now faces a 24% tariff. We’ve also increased storage pricing by up to 10%, but recommend that you purchase it elsewhere for your DIY Edition if possible, like directly from the Western Digital website.
These changes are going into effect now in the US for both in-stock orders and for new pre-orders. We’re enacting tariff absorption along with price increases as a temporary measure while we track the evolving situation around tariffs. In the event tariffs are removed, we’ll reset pre-orders that haven’t yet been fulfilled back to their previous prices. If tariffs persist or increase, we’ll likely need to increase US prices further. For existing US pre-orders of Framework Laptop 13 (AMD Ryzen AI 300 Series) and Framework Desktop, we’re still determining how to handle the tariff impact. In the event we need to adjust pricing, we will ask for your confirmation on the new price before finalizing your pre-order. We’ve also temporarily removed the functionality to edit configurations of existing US pre-orders, but you’ll still be able to edit your order at pre-order finalization. As always, pre-orders remain fully refundable. We’ll keep you updated on US pre-order timing for Framework Laptop 12. We’re reserving some manufacturing capacity for US orders to be able to ship alongside orders from other countries.
For US orders of parts and modules that ship from our New Jersey warehouse, we’ve temporarily paused ordering while we implement changes that let us decouple pricing between laptop configuration items and items in the Framework Marketplace. When we open ordering again, we’ll continue to sell items that are already in inventory in the US at the original price, while updating pricing for each item when we import new inventory. Canadian orders that ship from our US warehouse will also remain at the original CAD price at the moment, but we may need to make future price adjustments on items that are made in China, on which we face some tariff impact.
Now, let’s get into more detail about how the tariffs work. We’re keeping this apolitical and sharing more about how this works operationally. When goods are imported into the US, tariffs are assessed based on the country of origin and the HTS (Harmonized Tariff Schedule) code that the goods are classified as. We ship all of our products DDP (Delivered Duty Paid), meaning we pay tariffs as goods clear customs and include the cost inside of our product pricing. The tariff is calculated against the value of the product at import, meaning our cost as the importer, rather than the final price we charge for the product. The country of origin is defined as the last location in which “substantial transformation” occurs. For computers, US Customs has specifically defined substantial transformation as the location at which the main circuit board is assembled.
When starting Framework five years ago, we anticipated increased trade challenges between the US and China, and we chose to build most of our manufacturing and logistics footprint in Taiwan. At the time, imports from China to the US were subject to 7.5-25% Section 301 tariffs, with exceptions that included laptops, but not laptop parts. Because we’ve assembled our Mainboards in Taiwan since 2022 (we also do final system assembly and make magnesium parts and some aluminum parts there), the country of origin for our laptops is Taiwan. While this has largely shielded us from earlier rounds of tariffs on imports from China, all countries with a meaningful electronics manufacturing infrastructure are impacted by the current round. We are actively investigating paths to perform Mainboard assembly in the US, but our current manufacturing partners do not have necessary infrastructure in place. We were also already in the process of moving some module production from China to lower-tariff regions like Thailand and Indonesia. Migrating manufacturing partners or setting up new manufacturing infrastructure is a theoretical long term solution, but is not something we can execute ahead of tariffs coming into place this week.
This brings us back to the price and availability adjustments. Our products are built around longevity, and our business is too. We’ve built excellent Supply Chain and Logistics teams to be ready for this kind of disruption, and they are exploring every possible option to get back to normal US fulfillment. We’ll share changes and solutions as we come up with them, and we’ll remain transparent throughout. Thanks for continuing to follow along the journey.
We’ll let you know if Framework changes its plans further.
Update, 4:31PM ET: Added that Framework will continue to charge more for made-in-China modules, though it will no longer do a global 10 percent price hike on all US systems.
International buyers can order a Laptop 12 today, but US fans will have to wait.
Framework has confirmed it will no longer be opening US preorders for the new Laptop 12 today, or announcing a price, as it evaluates the impact of Trump’s tariffs. The modular, convertible laptop will still be available later today for buyers elsewhere, including Canada and Europe.
The Laptop 12 is Framework’s smallest laptop yet, and its first convertible touchscreen model. It comes with a 13th Gen Intel Core i3 or i5 chip, a 1920×1200 touchscreen with stylus support, and up to 48GB of RAM and 2TB of storage. Like other Framework hardware, it’s modular and repairable. It also ships in a pastel pink and mint finish that we’re pretty fond of.
Although the company hasn’t announced pricing, it pitched the 12-inch laptop as an “entry-level” model at a “lower cost” than the Laptop 13. That model now starts at $899 for a DIY version, or $1,099 for a prebuilt one, after the company “paused” sales on some of the cheaper Laptop 13 models in the US to avoid selling them at a loss after factoring in the new tariffs.
Framework manufactures its products in Taiwan, which is subject to a 32 percent tariff as of today. The company explained on Bluesky that it’s beginning its tariff response with the “most reversible” changes, delisting and delaying products, and that it will avoid raising prices “until we have final confirmation that there is no alternative.”
We’re delaying opening pre-orders for Framework Laptop 12 in the US. We’re still opening orders for the other countries we ship to tomorrow (April 9th), now at 10am PT. (cont)
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