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Apple MacBook Air 13-inch vs Framework Laptop 13 DIY Edition: Comparison
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch vs Framework Laptop 13 DIY Edition series id compared
The first real difference is series id: Apple MacBook Air 13-inch apple-macbook-air-13-2025 against Framework Laptop 13 DIY Edition framework-laptop-13-amd-ryzen-ai-300.
Who each one is for
The Apple MacBook Air 13-inch is the one to take for video, photo and music work in Apple's pro apps and A full day away from the charger, though it is the wrong buy for anyone who wants to upgrade memory later and Windows-only software and most PC games. The Framework Laptop 13 DIY Edition suits right-to-repair buyers who want a laptop designed to be opened and tinkerers who value modular, swappable ports over fixed I/O, though it is not built for buyers who want the thinnest or lightest possible 13-inch laptop and users prioritizing brand-name support networks over DIY assembly. It is equally the pick for anyone who wants to self-upgrade RAM or storage down the line. It is the wrong buy for anyone who wants Windows or macOS preinstalled out of the box.
Where the two are identical
Everything else lines up. Region sold, laptop class, graphics switching, ram slots free and storage slots free read the same on both, so those are not worth weighing. They match on 5 further specifications as well.
Frequently asked questions
Do the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch and Framework Laptop 13 DIY Edition differ on sku name?
Yes. SKU Name reads Apple MacBook Air 13-inch on the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch versus Ryzen AI 7 350 / 32GB DDR5 / 1TB on the Framework Laptop 13 DIY Edition.
Is the SATA Bay Present the same on the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch and Framework Laptop 13 DIY Edition?
It is. Both are listed at No, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Brand
- Apple MacBook Air 13-inch
- Apple
- Framework Laptop 13 DIY Edition
- Framework
Series
- Apple MacBook Air 13-inch
- MacBook Air
- Framework Laptop 13 DIY Edition
- Framework Laptop 13
Series ID
- Apple MacBook Air 13-inch
- apple-macbook-air-13-2025
- Framework Laptop 13 DIY Edition
- framework-laptop-13-amd-ryzen-ai-300
SKU Name
- Apple MacBook Air 13-inch
- Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M4, 16GB, 256GB)
- Framework Laptop 13 DIY Edition
- Ryzen AI 7 350 / 32GB DDR5 / 1TB
Chassis Code
- Apple MacBook Air 13-inch
- Mac16,12
- Framework Laptop 13 DIY Edition
- DIY Edition
Region Sold
- Apple MacBook Air 13-inch
- Global
- Framework Laptop 13 DIY Edition
- Global
Laptop Class
- Apple MacBook Air 13-inch
- Thin and Light
- Framework Laptop 13 DIY Edition
- Thin and Light
Release Year
- Apple MacBook Air 13-inch
- 2025
- Framework Laptop 13 DIY Edition
- 2024
Operating System
- Apple MacBook Air 13-inch
- macOS
- Framework Laptop 13 DIY Edition
- No OS
Weight
- Apple MacBook Air 13-inch
- 1.24 kgBest
- Framework Laptop 13 DIY Edition
- 1.3 kg
CPU Brand
- Apple MacBook Air 13-inch
- Apple
- Framework Laptop 13 DIY Edition
- AMD
CPU Model
- Apple MacBook Air 13-inch
- M4
- Framework Laptop 13 DIY Edition
- AMD Ryzen AI 7 350
CPU Cores
- Apple MacBook Air 13-inch
- 10Best
- Framework Laptop 13 DIY Edition
- 8
Sustained Power Source
- Apple MacBook Air 13-inch
- Third Party Review
- Framework Laptop 13 DIY Edition
- Not Measured
GPU Brand
- Apple MacBook Air 13-inch
- Apple
- Framework Laptop 13 DIY Edition
- AMD
GPU Model
- Apple MacBook Air 13-inch
- Apple M4 8-core GPU
- Framework Laptop 13 DIY Edition
- AMD Radeon 860M
Graphics Switching
- Apple MacBook Air 13-inch
- Integrated Only
- Framework Laptop 13 DIY Edition
- Integrated Only
RAM Capacity
- Apple MacBook Air 13-inch
- 16 GB
- Framework Laptop 13 DIY Edition
- 32 GBBest
RAM Type
- Apple MacBook Air 13-inch
- Unified Memory
- Framework Laptop 13 DIY Edition
- DDR5
Memory Form Factor
- Apple MacBook Air 13-inch
- On Package Unified
- Framework Laptop 13 DIY Edition
- SO-DIMM
Memory Soldered
- Apple MacBook Air 13-inch
- Yes
- Framework Laptop 13 DIY Edition
- No
Max RAM Supported
- Apple MacBook Air 13-inch
- 32 GB
- Framework Laptop 13 DIY Edition
- 96 GB
RAM Slots
- Apple MacBook Air 13-inch
- 0
- Framework Laptop 13 DIY Edition
- 2
RAM Slots Free
- Apple MacBook Air 13-inch
- 0
- Framework Laptop 13 DIY Edition
- 0
Storage Slots
- Apple MacBook Air 13-inch
- 0
- Framework Laptop 13 DIY Edition
- 1
Storage Slots Free
- Apple MacBook Air 13-inch
- 0
- Framework Laptop 13 DIY Edition
- 0
Storage Form Factor
- Apple MacBook Air 13-inch
- Soldered
- Framework Laptop 13 DIY Edition
- M.2 2280
SATA Bay Present
- Apple MacBook Air 13-inch
- No
- Framework Laptop 13 DIY Edition
- No
Storage Capacity
- Apple MacBook Air 13-inch
- 256 GB
- Framework Laptop 13 DIY Edition
- 1000 GBBest
Storage Type
- Apple MacBook Air 13-inch
- Soldered NVMe
- Framework Laptop 13 DIY Edition
- NVMe SSD
Display Size
- Apple MacBook Air 13-inch
- 13.6 inches
- Framework Laptop 13 DIY Edition
- 13.5 inches
Resolution Width
- Apple MacBook Air 13-inch
- 2560 px
- Framework Laptop 13 DIY Edition
- 2256 px
Resolution Height
- Apple MacBook Air 13-inch
- 1664 px
- Framework Laptop 13 DIY Edition
- 1504 pxBest
Refresh Rate
- Apple MacBook Air 13-inch
- 60 Hz
- Framework Laptop 13 DIY Edition
- 60 Hz
Panel Type
- Apple MacBook Air 13-inch
- IPS
- Framework Laptop 13 DIY Edition
- IPS
Touchscreen
- Apple MacBook Air 13-inch
- No
- Framework Laptop 13 DIY Edition
- No
Battery Capacity
- Apple MacBook Air 13-inch
- 53.8 Wh
- Framework Laptop 13 DIY Edition
- 61 WhBest
Thunderbolt Support
- Apple MacBook Air 13-inch
- Thunderbolt 4
- Framework Laptop 13 DIY Edition
- USB4
WiFi Standard
- Apple MacBook Air 13-inch
- WiFi 6E
- Framework Laptop 13 DIY Edition
- WiFi 6E
Which one should you pick?
Choose Apple MacBook Air 13-inch if you want the higher refresh rate (60 Hz vs 60 Hz).
Choose Framework Laptop 13 DIY Edition if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Price comparison
| Retailer | Apple MacBook Air 13-inch | Framework Laptop 13 DIY Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | View on Amazon | |
| Best Buy | View on Best Buy |
Disclaimer: The price and specification of the given product may differ from the actual product. Please confirm on the retailer's website before buying.
Verdict
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch
8 / 10 Expert Rating
The M4 MacBook Air 13 pairs an M4 chip with 16GB of unified memory and a 13.6 inch 2560 by 1664 IPS display at 500 nits.
Framework Laptop 13 DIY Edition
8.2 / 10 Expert Rating
The Framework Laptop 13 is designed to be opened and repaired.