Skip to main content

The Framework Laptop is fully modular — and it looks incredible

Launched by the team that founded Oculus, the Framework Laptop takes an entirely new approach to an Ultrabook laptop.

On the surface, with its attractive machined aluminum shell and sleek design, the Framework Laptop looks similar to a MacBook Pro or a Surface Laptop. Underneath the surface, however, Framework’s modular laptop concept brings a host of innovations to the notebook market, including the ability to upgrade many of the laptop’s internal and external components, and not just the memory and storage.

Recommended Videos

Now you won’t have to throw away your current laptop when things are running slow. At least, that’s the idea.

Framework Laptop
Image used with permission by copyright holder

In addition to standard upgrades, like the SSD and RAM modules that can be replaced on some Windows notebooks today, you will also be able to upgrade the ports, Wi-Fi module, screen, keyboard, battery, and even the entire motherboard with each successive generation of silicon released by companies like Intel.

The caveat is that you’d have to wait for Framework to create a board to accommodate the new processor inside the laptop’s housing.

In terms of ports, Framework claims that the laptop comes with four bays, and you can choose modules to outfit the laptop with your own configuration of USB-C, USB-A, HDMI, DisplayPort, microSD, ultrafast storage, a high-end headphone amp, and more.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

“Our Expansion Card system makes adapters a thing of the past, letting you choose exactly the ports you want and which side of the notebook you want them on,” Framework said of the notebook’s modular port design.

Components like the display, battery, and keyboard can be replaced directly with components from the company’s web store.

You’d think that giving users this level of serviceability would turn the Framework Laptop into a bulky, hacked-together Frankenstein notebook, but that is completely not the case here. The laptop comes in at 0.62 inches thin and weighs just 2.87 pounds. That means it’s both thinner and lighter than the MacBook Pro.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

The modular concept that Framework is using on its notebook allows this laptop to not only be highly upgradable and serviceable but also keep aging electronics out of landfills.

“Most consumer electronics devices are disposable one-offs by design. The single best way to reduce the environmental impact of electronics is to make them last longer. In addition to enabling longevity, we’re focused on improving sustainability across the life of our products,” Framework said. “The Framework Laptop is made of 50% post-consumer recycled (PCR) aluminum and an average of 30% PCR plastic. Our packaging is fully recyclable, with no single-use plastics, and all of our product shipments are carbon offset.”

Other features include a 13.5-inch, 3:2 aspect ratio display with a resolution of 2,256 x 1,504 pixels that comes with an FHD webcam with hardware privacy switches. The 13.5-inch, 3:2 screen gives this laptop similar dimensions to Microsoft’s Surface Laptop 3.

The Framework Laptop has a keyboard with 1.5mm of key travel, and configurations include 11th Gen Intel Core processors, Wi-Fi 6E support, up to 64GB DDR4 memory, and upwards of 4TB of Gen4 NVMe storage.

This modular notebook is expected to launch this summer, though details about pricing are not immediately available. Framework claims that a DIY tinkerer’s edition will also be available, allowing people to fully customize the laptop to their liking and needs.

“It’s time for long-lasting products that respect your right to repair and upgrade,” the company added. “We’re bringing this philosophy to notebooks this year, and to additional categories as we go. We chose an ambitious mission and assembled an incredible team to deliver on it, bringing experience from the founding team of Oculus and design, engineering, and operations across Apple, Google, Lenovo, and more.”

Chuong Nguyen
Silicon Valley-based technology reporter and Giants baseball fan who splits his time between Northern California and Southern…
The new GPD dual-screen laptop looks flippin’ cool
GPD dual-screen laptop in different configurations.

Famous for its quirky portable PCs and gaming handhelds, GPD usually makes products with words like "mini," "pocket," or "micro" in the title. But its latest announcement is a bit of a surprise -- a full-sized laptop. Described as an "engineer's productivity laptop," the appropriately named Duo is no ordinary PC. It flips, it folds, and it has two 13.3-inch Samsung AMOLED displays.

Its dual-screen setup can be folded up with one of the displays facing outward for tablet-style use or completely opened up to reveal its keyboard and combine both screens into a giant 18-inch-long display.

Read more
Someone just made a modular handheld console that puts the Steam Deck to shame
A custom modular handheld games console built using the Framework Laptop's mainboard.

The Framework Laptop is designed to be incredibly modular and customizable, but we doubt even its manufacturer would have dreamed up the use for it demonstrated by YouTuber Pitstoptech. In a recent video, the video creator showed off a custom handheld gaming console that they built using a Framework Laptop mainboard as a starting point.

The device displayed in the video features a 7-inch 1080p touchscreen display, an Intel i7-1260P processor, 16GB of memory, and a 512GB SSD. The author explains that this can be upgraded to an AMD Ryzen 7840U mainboard for better performance.

Read more
As a laptop reviewer, these are my most anticipated laptops still coming in 2023
A top down view of the Framework Laptop 16 against a blue backdrop.

As a laptop reviewer, I have the great fortune of being able to try out the latest and greatest tech in this product category. In terms of the best laptops, there's always something interesting on the horizon. Now that we're around halfway through the year, I want to look ahead to what's left of the year and spotlight some of my most anticipated releases.

The range of new laptops is wide, spanning from ultra-portables to high-performance machines, mixed in with a healthy dose of experimentation. That's enough to get me excited for what's ahead.
Framework Laptop 16

Read more