A new startup called Framework is working on an interesting project that takes modular technology to a new level. The Framework Laptop is a concept lightweight machine that will be different from any laptop you have seen on the market. The modular laptop is said to enable users to completely upgrade, adjust and repair parts.
Early concept yields a very Apple MacBook-inspired design, which is not surprising given that co-founder Nirav Patel himself is a former Apple employee. According to him, ‘As a consumer electronics business, your business model depends on you taking out a constant ton of hardware and pushing it into channels and the market and into the hands of consumers, and then dropping it and letting it exist. It encourages waste and inefficiency, and ultimately environmental damage. ” He also says that it is more of a product rather than an ecosystem.
The laptop is planned with an aluminum chassis with a 13.5-inch 2K (2256 x 1504 pixels) screen and Intel’s 11th generation processor with up to 64 GB DDR4 RAM and PCIe Gen 4 NVMe storage of up to 4 TB or even more. . The laptop is also planned to include a 1080p 60fps webcam and a 55Whr battery. As for the upgrade options, it is said that you can swap the internal devices including the memory, the storage space. Wi-Fi card and battery. The Framework Laptop also offers the ability to upgrade external components, including the keyboard, the I / O ports via an expansion card system, and the screen along with the magnetically removable edges. The company also hopes to address the concerns of users who do not like to wear dongles or adapters with its range of interchangeable port options. Expect it to be available in USB-C, USB-A, HDMI, DisplayPort, microSD, high-speed storage and even a headphone amplifier.
Framework also plans to sell the modules via a centralized online market that will be open to partners to build and sell compatible modules. This will help potential customers to easily find compatible replacements or upgrades without looking around. The company aims to reduce electronic waste by lengthening its efforts. The laptop will be made from 50% recycled (PCR) aluminum to consumer and on average 30% PCR plastic. Lastly, the company also introduces the Framework Laptop DIY Edition for those who want to assemble and scrape the laptop all by themselves. The mobile version also offers the flexibility to install the operating system of your choice, whether it is Linux, Windows 10 Home or Windows 10 Pro.
The concept of ‘modular technology’ does not seem to work for one of the major technology brands. We saw Google try its hand at a modular smartphone with Project ARA in 2014. However, by 2016, the project was canceled, and all we got were some draft videos that never materialized. In 2015, we heard about a modular smartwatch concept from ‘Blocks’, which was an attempt to create a modular smartwatch with interchangeable modules. To date, we have not seen any modular smartwatch reach the market. Similarly, in 2016, Motorola launched the Moto Z which launched the Moto Mods ecosystem, which had a decent start but eventually led to a lot of money for research and development. Let us hope that Framework has a more solid approach and that this concept can truly be realized.