San Francisco-based company Framework has announced its first product, the modular Framework Laptop. The computer features multiple modular, replaceable, and upgradeable parts that are designed to allow the user to continue using the machine perpetually.
The Framework Laptop features a milled
aluminum housing that's 15.8mm thick and 1.3kg in weight. It has a 13.5-inch,
2256x1504, 3:2, 400 nits display, 1080p60 webcam, 55Wh battery, and a keyboard
with 1.5mm key travel. It is powered by the Intel Core i5-1135G7, i7-1165G7, or
i7-1185G7 Tiger Lake processors with Intel Xe graphics. Now this is where it
gets interesting. The Framework Laptop isn't limited to the CPU/GPU combination
that you get at launch. The mainboard that houses the processor is upgradeable,
so it can be swapped out with one with a newer, faster processor as it becomes
available in the future.
The Framework Laptop also has an Expansion
Card system that allows the user to swap out the ports on the side of the
laptop. You can choose from USB-A, USB-C, HDMI, DisplayPort, microSD, fast
250GB/1TB expansion cards, headphone amp, or more. You can swap them out as you
please and place them on either side of the laptop.
Among other things you can change are the
keyboard language and layout, color for the magnetically-attached display
bezel, internal storage, memory, and Wi-Fi card. Parts such as the display,
battery, and keyboard have been made easy to replace with QR printed on top so
you can scan and find replacement for each part. Framework will also allow
others to build and sell compatible modules for the Laptop through its
Framework Marketplace.
The Framework Laptop will be available
pre-configured with Windows 10 Home or Pro installed. Optionally, you can
choose to get it as part of the Framework Laptop DIY Edition, where it will be
available as a kit of modules that you have to customize and build yourself
with the choice of your own OS.
Framework has given a US summer 2021 ship
date. Other details like specs, pricing, and pre-order timing will be released
in the next few weeks.
