Framework
A common complaint about modern laptops is that they are essentially sealed boxes with no user-serviceable parts. A new technology startup, Framework, wants to bring the DIY atmosphere back to laptops with laptops that encourage and upgrade.
Laptops have at least removable batteries and sometimes they have upgradeable RAM, storage or even GPUs. Today, this is the rare exception to the rule, especially with companies like Apple integrating batteries tightly into the design – MacBooks are essentially laptop batteries with small pieces of computers. Many manufacturers now also solder RAM and storage directly on the motherboard.
Expansion bays provide for exchangeable ports.
Framework
The Framework Laptop is a 13.5-inch system designed by the company: ’empowers you with amazing products that you can easily customize, upgrade and repair, increasing longevity and reducing e-waste in the process.’
In this case, it means an expansion card system, memory and RAM and a (hypothetically) replaceable main board and central processing unit. Also, “widely used parts, such as the battery, screen, keyboard, and color-adjustable ring with magnetic attachment, are easy to replace, with parts available directly in our web store.”
It sounds like a great idea, at least on paper, and the four accessories can choose between housing inserts for USB-C, USB-A, HDMI, DisplayPort, MicroSD, extra storage or even a dedicated headphone amplifier.
The base system weighs just under 3 pounds and is 15.9 mm thick. Other important specifications include:
- 13.5 inch aspect ratio, 3: 2, 2256×1504
- 1080p 60fps webcam
- 57Wh replaceable battery
- 11th Intel Core Processors
- Wi-Fi 6
- Up to 64 GB DDR4 memory and 4 TB storage
The Framework company was founded by Nirav Patel, one of the former members of the Oculus team dating back to its Kickstarter days, and later the company’s hardware chief. Pricing, exact specifications and availability details for the Framework Laptop line are available, with an expected launch this summer. Three base models ship with Windows 10 Home of Pro, and with a mobile version you can install your own operating system – yes, even Linux.