At an event in San Francisco today, Framework massively expanded its lineup of repairable laptops, updating its existing Framework Laptop to 13th Gen Core Intel, adding an AMD Ryzen option with 7040 series chips, and previewing a new 16-inch laptop with modular dedicated graphics.
The Framework Laptop 16 received only a sneak peek at the event, but it made the biggest impression, offering far more customization and repairable features than the existing 13-inch laptop. Framework is experimenting with two new systems in addition to the existing expansion cards: “Input Modules” and the “Expansion Bay.” Framework’s Expansion Bay is an attempt to add upgradeable graphics to a laptop. Framework claims that “this is delivering on a dream that many have given up on,” which appears to be a dig at Dell, which was sued over the Alienware Area-51limited m’s upgradeability.
Framework hasn’t revealed its graphics partner, but we do know that the graphics modules will include fans and connect over a PCIe x8 interface at the back of the laptop that Framework will open source, and that these modules will allow the laptop to expand to accommodate thermal and mechanical needs. The GPU will not have to be removed from the notebook. Framework claims to be working on other non-graphics-focused Expansion Bay cards, such as a dual M.2 SSD card with 16TB of storage for those who can get by with integrated graphics.
The Framework Laptop 16 also gets a new “input module” system that allows you to switch between touchpad, keyboard, and numpad configurations on the fly.
They come in various sizes, allowing you to customise which features you want on your keyboard deck. Framework claims to be working on keyboards in a variety of languages with RGB backlighting, and that aside from numpads, secondary displays and macro pads are workable. Many of the input modules make use of the open source QMK firmware, which is run on a Raspberry Pi RP2040 microcontroller.
The standard Framework Laptop has been renamed the Framework Laptop 13. It will be updated to 13th Gen Intel Core P-series processors or, for the first time, AMD Ryzen 7040 series chips from Intel. Existing Framework laptop owners can even purchase new mainboards that include these chips to install in their existing Framework laptops.
The 13th Gen Core lineup consists of the Core i5-1350P, Core i7-1360P, and Core i7-1370P with vPro, all of which use DDR4-3200 RAM and a louder 80 decibel speaker kit first seen in last year’s Framework Chromebook. The Core i5 will use a 55 WHr battery, while the i7 models will use a larger 61 WHr cell. Both AMD Ryzen kits will use the same speaker kit as before, but with faster DDR5-5600 RAM. The Ryzen 7 model will have a larger battery. All of the new laptops feature a new matte display and upgraded hinges that are easier to open.
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