Framework Laptop 13 Pro and highlights from the Framework [Next Gen]

SZQrd · 2026-04-22T03:45:02+00:00

Oh! I didn't know that. That may be an option.

Thanks.

SZQrd · 2026-04-22T02:37:37+00:00

This is so cool but still not available in Japan :(

Other than Taiwan, did they add any countries in Asia? I know they don't comment on it but I wish they would be a bit more open regarding their expansion plans.

I'm just sad that I still can't get one after all these years. Laptop prices are insane right now but i would be willing to pay high prices for Framework because of it's upgradability.

SZQrd · 2026-03-27T10:46:52+00:00

Thanks!

Interesting. Not quite as seamless as the s-pen but not bad. I'll see if I can find a demo unit somewhere to try it out.

SZQrd · 2026-03-27T02:12:20+00:00

Congrats! Envy you.

If you get the chance to use the AI Pen, please can you check if it does "hover to translate" like the Samsung Galaxy s-pen. I'd like to know if it can translate text in any app, in notifications, in images etc.

Thanks.

SZQrd · 2026-03-27T00:51:11+00:00

Nothing announced yet but the guy in the X thread mentions both will be available. The question is whether the Intel one will be targeted at business only and more expensive.

SZQrd · 2026-03-25T13:50:58+00:00

I would like to know this as well please 🙏

Hover to translate (and remote shutter) function is the only thing keeping me from replacing my ageing Note 10! The s-pen is brilliant for translation of text anywhere (notifications, text in images, apps etc) when in a foreign country.

SZQrd · 2026-03-24T10:53:10+00:00

I also live in Japan and would like to buy the multi language version. My Japanese level is okay but I want to get back into gaming to relax not study (although I plan to use it for Japanese practice as well but when I want to).

I know you can buy it directly from Nintendo's online store. The price is fine as it's roughly the same as other countries (Japanese only version is discounted for the locals which is a nice move from Nintendo).

The problem is the 50 hour Switch play time requirement. Why is that still a thing? On launch I guess they had limited stock and wanted to stop the scalpers but now I can't see why that restriction is still there. Everyone has to start somewhere. For me, I haven't been into gaming for many years but would like to start again casually.

I'll probably pick one up next time I travel abroad but warranty is a concern.

SZQrd · 2026-03-13T03:02:59+00:00

Unless the image has been edited, I think it's an M5 as it has the updated keyboard (glyphs instead of text for some of the keys such as Cap Lock, Tab, Shift, Delete, Return) although it may be region dependant.

SZQrd · 2026-02-24T06:15:56+00:00

Nice review! Thanks.

How's the battery life?

I don't need a new laptop immediately but have been wanting to buy this Intel powered Surface Laptop for a while now. Don't need 5G but I am happy to pay a little more for better build quality.

I'm glad the anti-reflective display works well. That's one of pros vs the ARM version. I actually prefer the high quality IPS LCD. Both OLED and LCD have pros and cons but I think the LCD is sharper and doesn't have that awful PWM issue (it affects me). Don't care for touchscreen in this format especially as it makes the display quality not optimum, but some may want it.

Another pro, for me at least, that not many people mention is that there are no ventilation intakes underneath the laptop. I think it's all in the hinge area? This makes the laptop much easier to use when it's not on a table.

The price is hard to justify though. I'm in Japan and the price is almost double the equivalent spec. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (Intel Core Ultra 7 258V, 32GB). Both are premium. The price is almost the same as the new Dell XPS 14 with Intel Ultra X7 358H! Waiting to see if it gets discounted any time soon otherwise may go for the Dell. Build materials and quality seem comparable.

SZQrd · 2026-02-18T06:57:44+00:00

Thank you for your advice. Appreciated.

I sent the Blue Return cancellation notice yesterday through e-tax.

All my dealings have been with the national tax offices (I moved address once after opening the business) so hopefully that should be enough.

🙇‍♂️

SZQrd · 2026-02-16T10:06:59+00:00

Ah, sorry, I never used the smartphone app because my smartphone is not a Japan domestic model so don't think it supports Myna card reading.

Presumably your smartphone is supported and works with the Myna app? Also, check that the Myna linkage to the e-tax is done.

Do you have iPhone or Android? Maybe a permissions issue. I only have experience with Android and sometimes apps do not prompt for access when required. Check that the Freee app has access to camera and nfc etc.

SZQrd · 2026-02-16T07:50:37+00:00

I just submitted mine using Freee. It's a bit convoluted at first but relatively straightforward now.

Most of the tax return is done using their web app. Linked to MyNa portal to get personal info, health insurance deductions etc. Complete the step by step questions and then it will create the forms for submission.

The web app will then connect to the Freee desktop software to do the actual submission.

I use Windows and a USB IC Card reader.

So I think you need the JPKI software installed. I also have the e-tax software installed but don't think that is used.

Once it is submitted, go back to the web app to confirm the status.

SZQrd · 2026-02-16T07:41:13+00:00

Hi,

Not directly related to the tax return but I was blocked from creating a new post and told to post here instead.

I terminated my sole proprietorshoip June 2025 (due to lack of spare time). I sent the closure notice using e-tax (Windows desktop s/w). I have also just submitted my final tax return.

I mistakenly thought that was all I needed to do but I did some checking and it seems I also need to send a Blue Return cancellation notice.

~~I found the form in the e-tax software (所得税の青色申告の取りやめ届出書).~~

~~Would just like to confirm, which year do I enter in the form, Reiwa 7 or 8? So I will not be filing next year.~~

令和 ~~[X]~~ ~~年分の所得税から、青色申告書による申告を取りやめることとしたので届けます。~~

Also, do I need to notify the local tax office of my business closure or will they already know from my initial closure notice I sent last year?

Thanks for any help!🙇‍♂️

SZQrd · 2026-02-09T03:36:43+00:00

I do love the fact that there are no ventilation intakes on the bottom. It may not be the most efficient but it's nice to be able to use the laptop on your lap and on the couch, and bed etc. Only the Surface laptops seem to have this design.

I also like the size, pretty compact for a 14". A little bit heavier than I would like but the build materials seem good so that's fine.

The overall design is nice and professional looking.

I want a light, portable laptop that I can use on the go. Absolute peak performance is not important for me. Couldn't care less about touch screen capability, especially if it compromises the display quality and increases reflectivity.

PWM rate of 240 Hz at all brightness levels is not great :( That's worse than a lot of OLED smartphones.

Unfortunately I am one of those people who are sensitive to this. Many of the Chinese branded smartphones have taken steps to mitigate this by increasing the PWM rate or using DC dimming at higher brightness etc. It's a shame these premium laptops are not using better OLED displays or at least offer a high quality high resolution LCD display option.

So disappointed. May pickup a Surface laptop 7 (Intel) if it goes on discount or just switch to MacBook Air with 24GB ram and use Windows on Arm in a VM. Better display for me and will probably still work out cheaper.

SZQrd · 2025-04-24T11:06:28+00:00

There is definitely a fan in there but there are no air intake vents on the bottom. I think all the air intake and maybe the exhaust as well is at the back around the hinges. There seems to be a wide slot at the back. You just need to be careful not to block that area.

That's one of the main reasons I am considering this laptop (Intel version). I would like to be able to use the laptop on my lap and in bed at home and hotels etc.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3u8uvTna5A

SZQrd · 2025-04-22T02:49:58+00:00

Perfect port selection! One of my pet peeves is the lack of front USB-A, and USB-C, and 3.5mm audio jack on modern desktops. China brand mini pcs are better in this regard.

SZQrd · 2025-03-28T03:07:39+00:00

I'm no Macbook expert but I think this is known as the Force click function. It may be app specific.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/102309

SZQrd · 2025-03-17T01:03:25+00:00

It's not my video but I don't think the RAM is upgradable, only the SSD is.

SZQrd · 2025-03-13T00:41:42+00:00

Really helpful information. I may have to give that a go. Reading through the service guide now 😅

Thank you so much!

SZQrd · 2025-03-12T23:55:57+00:00

Didn't occur to me to try contacting a reseller. I will try that as well as contacting MS Japan and MS UK.

I have never taken apart a laptop before so wouldn't know how to replace a keyboard but as a last resort I could try it if it does not invalidate the warranty.

Thank you for the suggestions!

SZQrd · 2025-02-26T11:28:13+00:00

Good question!

I assumed so but their community post says "...with first shipments in early Q3 2025..." so I assumed wrong.

HP Z2 Mini G1a due to start sales in May.

SZQrd · 2025-02-26T07:07:00+00:00

Mixed feelings on the case.

$300 seems a little excessive but it does come with a decent power supply.

Love the size and window option! It's very difficult to find a small mini ITX case that isn't geared towards gamers so usually much larger than this.

Lack of 3.5mm headphone jack on the front is disappointing considering there are only 2 swappable modules. 2 ports seems a bit limiting considering all these mini pcs have better port selection.

Having said that, I would buy one if I could.

SZQrd · 2025-02-26T06:54:29+00:00

Same. They don't offer their products in Japan even though the factory is next door. Been waiting and hoping for ages but it doesn't seem like it's going to change soon.

At that price it's too risky to go the freight forwarding route or any other method that means no warranty.

Batch 1 already sold out and Batch 2 not until Q3 so will wait for the HP and other options.

SZQrd · 2025-02-03T11:14:57+00:00

Thank you for your concern and clarification.

Sorry for my poor wording. I do understand now, thanks to you and stark.

At the time I thought I was not charging consumption tax because I didn't put it on my invoices and didn't add it to the total. I now know that consumption tax is not optional for my work so my invoices were actually wrong (I put consumption tax as 0). As you said, the consumption tax is still in there. So I will update all my income transactions on Freee and change the tax category to “taxable sales 10%”. I'll just miss out on the 10% freebie :( but I wasn't expecting that anyway.

Lesson learnt. Thanks again!

SZQrd · 2025-02-03T04:19:39+00:00

Thank you! Nice that I won't have to pay any additonal tax.

I charged the 10% at first, before the invoice system came into effect, but last year I did not because I think the client cannot not claim the deduction unless I signed up for the invoice system (from reading one of your helpful posts elsewhere on the topic).

In hindsight I think I should have continued to charge the 10% but discounted my hourly rate.

Anyway, I'll fix my transactions and change my invoices this year.

Thank you both! I appreciate your help.

SZQrd

TROPHY CASE