Framework unveils new repairable and upgradeable laptops and desktop

Framework unveils new repairable and upgradeable laptops and desktop

Framework launched new variations of its 12-inch and 13-inch laptops in addition to a brand new desktop laptop immediately — all with repairable and upgradeable choices.

Right here’s a rundown on what the corporate introduced. Nirav Patel, founding father of Framework, famous that the final stay occasion the corporate held was in March 2023, when it launched the Framework Laptop computer 16 and two variations of the Framework Laptop computer 13. The corporate has been heads down making new merchandise — for players and non-gamers alike for the previous two years.

Patel began the corporate with the idea that shopper electronics needs to be repairable, upgradeable and final a very long time. That concept was fairly controversial on the time, and the agency was greeted with skepticism.

“5 years in, we’re assured that we’re on a quick path to reaching our mission to remake shopper electronics,” he mentioned in a press occasion. “We’re wanting to proceed supporting and scaling the ecosystems round our present merchandise, and we’re able to deliver this mission and product philosophy to much more of the world, one class at a time. It’s going to be an superior day, and all of us within the Framework workforce can’t wait so that you can see what we’ve been engaged on.”

Framework Laptop computer 13 with AMD Ryzen AI 300 Sequence CPU

Framework Laptop computer 13

Framework unveiled the brand new AMD Ryzen AI 300 Sequence-powered Framework Laptop computer 13, obtainable for preorder immediately with first shipments in April. 

These deliver new processors, Wi-Fi 7, a revamped thermal system, a next-generation keyboard, and new Bezel and Growth Card shade choices. It seems (largely) the identical on the skin. It means the corporate can proceed to ship on the promise of longevity by maintaining Framework Laptop computer 13 totally upgradeable and repairable in a skinny, gentle 13.5-inch kind issue.

That implies that any Framework Laptop computer 13 proprietor, going all the way in which again to the unique eleventh Gen Intel Core model in 2021, can decide up the brand new modules and improve the pc they already personal to the most recent expertise. The corporate has saved all of the enhancements from the final era too, with a 61Wh battery and non-obligatory 2.8k 120Hz 13.5-inch 3:2 matte show.

The largest change is the transfer to AMD’s new Ryzen AI 300 Sequence processors, which deliver an enormous leap in efficiency. These use Zen 5 CPU cores together with Radeon RDNA 3.5 graphics. Along with 6-core Ryzen 5 and 8-core Ryzen 7 configurations, for the primary time, Framework additionally has a top-end Ryzen 9 HX 370 possibility that brings 12 CPU cores at as much as 5.1GHz enhance and 16 GPU cores. 

Which means you’ll be able to play trendy recreation titles at a shocking framerate. Traditionally, this degree of graphics efficiency would have wanted a discrete GPU, and it’s superb to see it now in an ultraportable, environment friendly laptop computer. As a result of this processor additionally has a 50 TOPS NPU, it helps Copilot+ and an rising variety of ROCm-compatible open supply AI toolkits.

Alongside that efficiency, the corporate has saved the system quiet and funky with a revamped thermal system. This now leverages one massive 10mm warmth pipe and Honeywell’s superior PTM7958 section change thermal interface materials. 

Additionally on the mainboard, the corporate has saved assist for 2 slots of DDR5-5600 reminiscence, upgradeable to 96GB, and one PCIe 4 M.2 2280 storage slot, upgradeable to 8TB. Framework introduced connectivity as much as Wi-Fi 7 utilizing AMD’s RZ717 module. And on the 4 enlargement card slots, the rear two assist USB4 and each of the entrance two now deal with USB 3.2 plus DisplayPort, enabling as much as 4 simultaneous show outputs.

Framework Laptop computer 13 teardown.

On the keyboard, the corporate saved the 1.5mm key journey and labored with keyboard associate Lite-On on a brand new key construction on the large keys (e.g. spacebar and shift) that reduces buzzing when your audio system are cranked up. 

For pre-built configurations pre-loaded with Home windows 11, Framework has up to date keyboard art work with a Copilot key. Clients can deliver their very own reminiscence, storage, and working system. These include an alternate set of keyboard art work choices with no Home windows brand for these utilizing Linux and BSD. The agency continues to prioritize Linux, with official assist for Ubuntu and Fedora and neighborhood assist for a broader set of distributions.

There are additionally shade customization choices, together with a translucent bezel, and the agency is including translucent purple, inexperienced, and black too. And it has translucent USB-C enlargement playing cards to go along with them as effectively. 

AMD Ryzen AI 300 Sequence begins at $899 for DIY Version and $1,099 for pre-built methods. You possibly can preorder the brand new Mainboard by itself beginning at $449. That is the seventh iteration on Framework Laptop computer 13. To make Framework Laptop computer 13 extra accessible, Framework is maintaining earlier era AMD Ryzen 7040 Sequence methods in manufacturing, beginning at a newly discounted value of $749. All of those merchandise can be found to preorder or order immediately, transport to all 32 international locations the agency delivers to.

Framework Desktop

The Framework Desktop

As we speak, Framework launched the Framework Desktop, a tiny 4.5L Mini-ITX desktop powered by AMD’s new Ryzen AI Max processors. 

Pre-orders are open now, with first shipments in early Q3 2025. When AMD shared the Ryzen AI Max with us, Framework jumped on the possibility to make use of it. It has as much as 16 CPU cores at 5.1GHz enhance clock, discrete-level Radeon 8060S graphics, and assist for as much as an insane 128GB of unified LPDDR5x. 

That allows 1440p or greater gaming on the heaviest titles, large inventive and workstation workloads, and true native AI use circumstances. Framework shifted its roadmap a 12 months in the past to create space for it. In a desktop kind issue, Framework plans to unlock each little bit of its efficiency with 120W sustained energy and 140W enhance whereas staying quiet and funky.

You should still be questioning, why does Framework have to construct a desktop?  Aren’t desktops already modular and upgradeable? They’re. 

In reality, the desktop PC ethos is a part of what impressed the Framework Laptop computer to start with. You possibly can construct, improve, restore, and personalize to the bounds of your creativeness (and price range, and desk area), and share your superb creations with the entire different true believers. Framework desires to make this area as accessible as it could actually by constructing a desktop that’s concurrently small and easy and extremely highly effective and customizable. Everybody ought to have the chance to expertise the tradition round PCs and PC gaming first-hand.

A teardown of the repairable Framework Desktop.

With that in thoughts, Framework leveraged the entire key PC requirements all over the place it might. Framework Desktop’s Ryzen AI Max-powered Mainboard is an ordinary Mini-ITX kind issue with ATX headers, a PCIe x4 slot, and a broad set of rear I/O (together with 2x USB4, 2x DisplayPort, HDMI, and 5Gbit Ethernet).

You possibly can drop it into your personal case if you happen to choose.  Framework developed a semi-custom 400W energy provide with FSP in an ordinary Flex ATX kind issue. The agency additionally used commonplace 120mm CPU followers with a thermal system co-developed with Cooler Grasp and Noctua, and you’ll select to deliver your personal fan as effectively if you happen to choose. Framework enabled two PCIe NVME M.2 2280 slots for as much as 16TB of storage and Wi-Fi 7 by means of an RZ717 Wi-Fi module.

Framework Desktop brings the PC ethos round customization as effectively. Framework can select between black and translucent aspect panels, choose an RGB fan, and fasten an non-obligatory carrying deal with to deliver it with you to LAN events (or simply to your dwelling room). Framework additionally designed the entrance panel of the case to be made up of 21 color-customizable tiles, and the agency open sourced the design so you’ll be able to 3D print your personal too. Framework additionally introduced over the enlargement card system from Framework Laptops, with two slots on the entrance of Framework Desktop enabling entrance port customization.

To allow the huge 256GB/s reminiscence bandwidth that Ryzen AI Max delivers, the LPDDR5x is soldered.  Framework spent months working with AMD to discover methods round this however in the end decided that it wasn’t technically possible to land modular reminiscence at excessive throughput with the 256-bit reminiscence bus.  As a result of the reminiscence is non-upgradeable, Framework is being deliberate in making reminiscence pricing extra cheap than you may discover with different manufacturers.

The highest-end Ryzen AI Max+ 395 configuration with 128GB of reminiscence begins at simply $1,999 USD. That is wonderful for gaming, however it’s a really wild worth proposition for AI workloads. Native AI inference has been closely restricted thus far by the restricted reminiscence capability and excessive costs of shopper and workstation graphics playing cards. 

With Framework Desktop, you’ll be able to run big, succesful fashions like Llama 3.3 70B Q6 at real-time conversational velocity proper in your desk.  With USB4 and 5Gbit Ethernet networking, you’ll be able to join a number of methods or Mainboards to run even bigger fashions like the complete DeepSeek R1 671B.

The bottom Framework Desktop is available in even decrease, with the 8-core Ryzen AI Max 385 configuration with 32GB of reminiscence beginning at $1,099. 

All the methods are DIY Editions, that means you’ll be able to select to deliver your personal storage and working system. Framework contends that is the simplest PC you’ll ever construct, and Framework might be publishing step-by-step guides and movies to get you there. 

Framework Desktop helps each Home windows 11 and a spread of well-liked Linux distros like Ubuntu and Fedora, together with gaming-focused OS’s like Bazzite and Playtron. Clients also can pre-order the mainboard by itself immediately, beginning at $799.

Framework 12 laptop computer

Framework Laptop computer 12

Framework shared an early preview of the brand new Framework Laptop computer 12, a sturdy, repairable, upgradeable, 12.2” touchscreen convertible pocket book. 

This laptop is the purest manifestation of our imaginative and prescient and product philosophy at Framework, and is in some ways the product I began the corporate to create. Framework builds merchandise to repair what it sees as a damaged business, and few classes are as emblematic of the issues with shopper electronics as entry-level laptops. 

Framework mentioned these machines are typically janky, locked-down, disposable, underpowered and boring machines. Shamefully, these are the merchandise that PC manufacturers marketplace for use by college students and younger individuals world wide.  As an alternative, Framework believes these are the individuals who most want thoughtfully designed, long-lasting computer systems.

Framework designed this Framework 12 laptop computer from the begin to take the entire upgradeability and longevity of Framework Laptop computer 13 and produce it right into a smaller, decrease value, extra versatile, and extra colourful kind issue. 

The agency is introducing it in 5 colours, every with an non-obligatory color-matched stylus.  The 2-tone look isn’t only for present, both. Framework overmolded shock-absorbing TPU over inflexible PC/ABS plastic with an inside steel construction for robustness. 

Within the occasion you break it, it’s additionally the simplest product ever to restore, the agency mentioned. Framework took the entire design for repairability learnings from Framework Laptop computer 13 and 16 and pushed them even additional in Framework Laptop computer 12. Framework might be sharing extra on that on the trail to launch. 

Framework additionally designed this laptop computer to be unusually highly effective for its class. As an alternative of utilizing a typical small-core processor, we introduced within the full thirteenth Gen Intel Core processor in i3 and i5 variants. 

Framework enabled assist for as much as 48GB of DDR5-5200, 2TB of NVMe storage, and Wi-Fi 6E, all of that are modular and upgradeable. Framework additionally personalized the 1920×1200 show to ship >400 nit brightness together with contact and stylus assist. As at all times, Framework is supporting each Home windows 11 and Linux too.

The corporate mentioned it had college students in thoughts when it started growing this product two years in the past. And it discovered because it iterated by means of prototypes that each grownup who tried it wished one too. Framework might be sharing rather more element on specs and pricing as the corporate get nearer to the launch of Framework Laptop computer 12. Framework will open pre-orders in April, with first shipments in mid-2025. 


Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *