# It's hard to justify buying a Framework 12

DevFeed: [It's hard to justify buying a Framework 12](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/it-s-hard-to-justify-buying-a-framework-12-10468.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://www.jeffgeerling.com/blog/2026/its-hard-to-justify-framework-12/>)

Author: jeff@jeffgeerling.com (Jeff Geerling)

Published: 2026-05-29T14:00:00Z

Content type: opinion

Language: en

Sources: [Jeff Geerling](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/jeff-geerling.md>)

Topics: [NEO](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/neo.md>), [benchmarking](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/benchmarking.md>), [Benchmark](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/benchmark.md>), [cpu](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/cpu.md>), [intel](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/intel.md>)

Tags: [apple](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/apple.md>), [benchmark](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/benchmark.md>), [benchmarks](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/benchmarks.md>), [cpu](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/cpu.md>), [framework](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/framework.md>), [geekbench](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/geekbench.md>), [intel](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/intel.md>), [laptop](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/laptop.md>), [laptops](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/laptops.md>), [mac](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/mac.md>), [macbook-neo](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/macbook-neo.md>), [performance](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/performance.md>), [review](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/review.md>), [touchscreen](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/touchscreen.md>), [youtube](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/youtube.md>)

## AI overview

The author compares the Framework 12 with Apple's MacBook Neo for a student laptop purchase. The MacBook Neo is described as faster, more efficient, quieter, better built, and less expensive in most tested situations, while the Framework 12 offers a touchscreen, 360° hinge, repairability, and upgradeability. The Framework performs slightly better under sustained heavy workloads because its fan reduces throttling.

## Source excerpt

My nephew just graduated high school, and wants a laptop. When he decides what computer to buy, price (or more precisely, value) is the most important attribute. Apple's MacBook Neo upended the 'value laptop' equation--Apple's not supposed to be both the cheapest option and the best value... but it seems like that's squarely where the Neo landed for the good-but-cheap laptop category. My nephew is also my godson, and to kick off his computing journey, I thought I'd let him choose from a Framework 12 I bought to test, or the MacBook Neo I bought a couple months ago to use around the studio.