Framework starts taking orders for 16-inch repairable, upgradeable laptop
- Reference: 1689965947
- News link: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2023/07/21/framework_16in_laptop/
- Source link:
Framework Computer continues to confound expectations by the tactic – quite unusual in this industry – of actually delivering on its promises. The company was founded as recently as the start of 2020 by Niruv Patel, the former head of hardware at [1]Oculus before it was [2]inexplicably and unsuccessfully swallowed by Facebook . Framework started shipping its first model to customers about 18 months later.
We have written about the company and its laptops a couple of times before on The Reg . In May last year, it launched [3]faster 12th generation Intel variants of its original 13-inch machine. Then, earlier this year, it launched additional go-faster parts, including AMD variants, as well as announcing a new, [4]larger laptop with a 16-inch display . It's this new model that it's now started accepting online orders for, and The Verge has a slightly breathless [5]hands-on with a prototype.
[6]
We would like to be all snarky and cynical about the new gadget, but in conscience, we can't: it genuinely does sound pretty good. While the original 13-inch model has four expansion ports, into which you can slide tiny adapter modules that can turn the recessed USB-C ports into Ethernet, HDMI, USB-A, or a variety of other connectors, the new machine has a total of six of these. It's added two more sockets at the rear, powered by USB-4 for additional bandwidth.
[7]
You can build the laptop yourself or order it pre-built with Windows installed
Customers can choose between a "tenkeyless" keyboard and a centered trackpad, or ones offset to one side to make space for a full numeric keypad. There are other variants too. The upper fascia of the machine is modular so you can rearrange this more or less how you wish. So if you want the trackpad on one side – like the [8]Asus ZenBook Pro Duo has, for example – then you can have that. Or you can put it on the left, as the sinister Reg FOSS desk would prefer.
[9]Fresh models of Framework modular laptops in the works
[10]Repairability champ Framework's modular laptop gets a speed boost
[11]Logitech, iFixit to offer parts to stop folks binning their computer mouse
[12]Europe's right-to-repair law asks hardware makers for fixes for up to 10 years
As an optional extra, the machine can also handle clip-on modules which fit behind the screen hinge. Initially, the company plans to offer two of these: one houses bays for two SSDs, while the other can hold an external GPU card. (Beware: the new expansion slot does mean that the motherboards for the 16-inch model are not interchangeable with the older, smaller motherboards, though.) It won't be a gamer's powerhouse of a machine, but it should offer considerable extra GPU grunt for those who need that sort of thing. There is also provision for clip-on battery modules, which will fit partly underneath the machine… and which could alleviate the extra power draw of a discrete GPU.
The hardware is actually being made by Taiwanese ODM Compal, which has been around for decades. Back in 2001, we reported that it was [13]making laptops for Dell , and 12 years ago it was [14]building a factory with Lenovo .
[15]
While these are not budget laptops, they offer both more expansion and far better repairability and upgradability for less money than high-end kit such as the [16]Lenovo X1 Carbon . That the rest of the laptop industry should notice that customers really want machines they can repair and upgrade, and start to bring this to bigger brands – 'tis a consummation devoutly to be wished.
The company has just this week started accepting [17]orders for the new model, and while we are generally cagey about endorsing pre-release hardware, in its brief couple of years Framework Computer has delivered several successive generations of upgrades for its existing smaller model.
[18]
Existing owners are generally delighted with the machines, and it received an unbeatable [19]10/10 score from iFixit. The auspices are encouraging. We just hope somebody finds a way to squeeze a [20]thin but clicky keyboard into the thing. ®
Get our [21]Tech Resources
[1] https://www.theregister.com/2013/11/13/virtual_reality_gaming_will_change_the_world_be_totally_terrifying/
[2] https://www.theregister.com/2014/03/25/facebook_buys_oculus_virtual_reality/
[3] https://www.theregister.com/2022/05/20/framework_modular_laptop_gets_a/
[4] https://www.theregister.com/2023/03/27/new_models_of_framework_laptop/
[5] https://www.theverge.com/22665800/framework-laptop-16-hands-on-preview-modular-gaming-laptop
[6] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/personaltech&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2ZLsABElE8pEjAHplsiCTTwAAA4I&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0
[7] https://regmedia.co.uk/2023/07/21/framework16building.jpg
[8] https://www.theregister.com/2022/03/21/asus_zenbook_pro_duo_ux582_review/
[9] https://www.theregister.com/2023/03/27/new_models_of_framework_laptop/
[10] https://www.theregister.com/2022/05/20/framework_modular_laptop_gets_a/
[11] https://www.theregister.com/2023/05/17/logitech_teams_up_with_ifixit/
[12] https://www.theregister.com/2023/03/22/new_eu_right_to_repair/
[13] https://www.theregister.com/2001/08/07/dell_notebook_production_explodes/
[14] https://www.theregister.com/2011/09/27/lenovo_compal_joint_venture/
[15] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/personaltech&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44ZLsABElE8pEjAHplsiCTTwAAA4I&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[16] https://www.theregister.com/2023/03/10/thinkpad_x1c_g10_linux/
[17] https://frame.work/gb/en/products/laptop16-diy-amd-7040
[18] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/personaltech&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44ZLsABElE8pEjAHplsiCTTwAAA4I&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[19] https://www.ifixit.com/News/51614/framework-laptop-teardown-10-10-but-is-it-perfect
[20] https://www.theregister.com/2022/11/08/tuxedo_stellaris_amd_gen_4/
[21] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
Thinkpad
Did someone already produce a motherboard upgrade for one of the old Thinkpads?
There are a lot of decent Thinkpad models to choose from. Just need an enterprising company to produce some compatible motherboards with recent silicon to allow users to upgrade.
In the days of the PS/2 Model 70 and 55sx, there was a 3rd party producing motherboard upgrades.
I have to say I would really like a laptop with the touchpad to the right
I always use a portable mouse with a laptop and disable the touchpad, because having it where my palms rest is guaranteed to create unintended mouse moves and clicks while typing. But when I went to the site to customize one to see how it worked I didn't see such an option. Just a keypad.
Other than that while it is a marvel of engineering that they got this level of DIY/repairability in a not terrible form factor like previous efforts, that price point is too much to pay. You can get something of equal capability for a lot less money, and use your savings to buy an extended warranty or self insure and buy another (more capable since technology improves) one in the unlikely event something breaks.
I know some people dearly want a repairable laptop. Personally I just don't see the point unless the price difference is so low it is a no brainer.
The upgradeability is only useful over a relatively short time period. When AMD comes out with the next generation CPU it will have a different socket. The motherboard is unlikely to support denser memory than what it can support now, so even if bigger DDR5 DIMMs become available you probably can't use them (something that many of us face with current laptops even if they do have user replaceable DRAM) They can't do anything about stuff like that, that's just how the OEMs roll.
Re: I have to say I would really like a laptop with the touchpad to the right
The main board is replaceable
Let's just hope it is better than their totally non existent website
https://frame.work/
Expensive, but Worth the Money
I usually purchase Dell, but their 17inch laptops are quite costly and so the next smaller version, 16inch seems to offer the cheaper options.
Even their 16inch latest options have soldered in memory with a maximum of 16GB. The Vostro series has removable DRAM, and ethernet port, and are circa £750, yet still the maximum DRAM is 16GB.
The Framework 16inch laptop offers a very high resolution LCD display which exceeds the Dell Vostro, and a high performance AMD processor compared to the Dell versions. I used the online builder for the Framework and the total cost excluding the M2 drive is £1602.
The cost of the Framework solution will increase when i add the M2 SSD drive, and the power supply.
Yet, the nearest equivalent Dell without discrete graphics is approx £400 more - their Alienware gaming system.
Given that i could add more RAM, add another M2 drive, exchange the motherboard for a different processor, or other options, then the Framework for the performance compared to the commercial offerings is a very good system. The Dell offering, and probably others, have a very limited upgrade path, especially if the DRAM is soldered in.
I was looking at a NUC, but the Framework package although a lot more money does offer a portable package which bridges the gap between a laptop and DIY build of a PC, knowing you are not stuck with this years model.
Obligatory
"But will it run Linux?"
I'll get me coat with an iFixit toolkit in the pocket