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Wednesday, February 26, 2025

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 pc right this moment — 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 reside 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 avid gamers and non-gamers alike for the previous two years.

Patel began the corporate with the idea that client electronics must 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 client electronics,” he stated in a press occasion. “We’re wanting to proceed supporting and scaling the ecosystems round our present merchandise, and we’re able to carry 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 group 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, accessible for preorder right this moment with first shipments in April. 

These carry new processors, Wi-Fi 7, a revamped thermal system, a next-generation keyboard, and new Bezel and Enlargement Card shade choices. It seems to be (largely) the identical on the skin. It means the corporate can proceed to ship on the promise of longevity by retaining 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 best way 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 newest expertise. The corporate has stored all of the enhancements from the final technology too, with a 61Wh battery and optionally available 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 carry a giant soar 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 possibly can play fashionable recreation titles at a stunning framerate. Traditionally, this degree of graphics efficiency would have wanted a discrete GPU, and it’s wonderful 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 stored the system quiet and funky with a revamped thermal system. This now leverages one giant 10mm warmth pipe and Honeywell’s superior PTM7958 section change thermal interface materials. 

Additionally on the mainboard, the corporate has stored help 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 growth card slots, the rear two help 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 stored the 1.5mm key journey and labored with keyboard associate Lite-On on a brand new key construction on the extensive 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 paintings with a Copilot key. Prospects can carry their very own reminiscence, storage, and working system. These include an alternate set of keyboard paintings choices with no Home windows emblem for these utilizing Linux and BSD. The agency continues to prioritize Linux, with official help for Ubuntu and Fedora and group help 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 growth playing cards to go together with them as properly. 

AMD Ryzen AI 300 Sequence begins at $899 for DIY Version and $1,099 for pre-built techniques. You’ll be able to 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 retaining earlier technology AMD Ryzen 7040 Sequence techniques in manufacturing, beginning at a newly discounted value of $749. All of those merchandise can be found to preorder or order right this moment, delivery to all 32 nations the agency delivers to.

Framework Desktop

The Framework Desktop

At the moment, 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 help for as much as an insane 128GB of unified LPDDR5x. 

That permits 1440p or greater gaming on the heaviest titles, massive artistic and workstation workloads, and true native AI use instances. Framework shifted its roadmap a yr 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 must construct a desktop?  Aren’t desktops already modular and upgradeable? They’re. 

In truth, the desktop PC ethos is a part of what impressed the Framework Laptop computer to start with. You’ll be able to construct, improve, restore, and personalize to the bounds of your creativeness (and finances, and desk house), and share your wonderful creations with all the different true believers. Framework needs to make this house as accessible as it could 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 all the key PC requirements in all places 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’ll be able to drop it into your individual case if you happen to favor.  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 may select to carry your individual fan as properly if you happen to favor. 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 properly. Framework can select between black and translucent aspect panels, choose an RGB fan, and fix an optionally available carrying deal with to carry 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 possibly can 3D print your individual too. Framework additionally introduced over the growth card system from Framework Laptops, with two slots on the entrance of Framework Desktop enabling entrance port customization.

To allow the large 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 up to now by the restricted reminiscence capability and excessive costs of client and workstation graphics playing cards. 

With Framework Desktop, you possibly can run large, succesful fashions like Llama 3.3 70B Q6 at real-time conversational velocity proper in your desk.  With USB4 and 5Gbit Ethernet networking, you possibly can join a number of techniques 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 techniques are DIY Editions, that means you possibly can select to carry your individual storage and working system. Framework contends that is the simplest PC you’ll ever construct, and Framework will probably be publishing step-by-step guides and movies to get you there. 

Framework Desktop helps each Home windows 11 and a spread of fashionable Linux distros like Ubuntu and Fedora, together with gaming-focused OS’s like Bazzite and Playtron. Prospects also can pre-order the mainboard by itself right this moment, 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 pc 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 client electronics as entry-level laptops. 

Framework stated these machines are usually 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 around the globe.  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 all the upgradeability and longevity of Framework Laptop computer 13 and convey 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 optionally available 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 internal steel construction for robustness. 

Within the occasion you break it, it’s additionally the simplest product ever to restore, the agency stated. Framework took all the design for repairability learnings from Framework Laptop computer 13 and 16 and pushed them even additional in Framework Laptop computer 12. Framework will probably 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 help 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 help. As all the time, Framework is supporting each Home windows 11 and Linux too.

The corporate stated it had college students in thoughts when it started creating 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 will probably be sharing far 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. 


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