Framework Laptop computer 16: our unique hands-on

Framework CEO Nirav Patel describes it in biblical phrases: “So many have tried to seize this holy grail and died alongside the best way.” It’s a really dramatic strategy to say that his new Laptop computer 16 helps you to substitute and ultimately improve the whole GPU.

However as I shove an AMD Radeon RX 7700S graphics card into the again of his laptop and fireplace up Elden Ring, I’ve to confess it rings true. I’ve wished this for 20 years — and I genuinely marvel if Framework would be the exception to that “died alongside the best way” rule.

The Framework Laptop computer 16, accessible for preorder right now beginning at $1,699 prebuilt, is likely one of the most fun notebooks we’ve ever seen. When it ships in This fall, the modular laptop firm’s first gaming laptop computer will allow you to swap virtually each element — not simply reminiscence and storage, however every particular person port, the motherboard, the battery, the audio system, you identify it.

Heck, Framework’s total keyboard deck is now composed of Lego-like modular elements that snap and slide into place. Need your keyboard and touchpad aligned proper, left, or heart? Fancy a splash of coloration? Want a numpad? How a few matrix of dazzling LEDs? The Framework 16’s modular slats make it attainable. Every has a tiny Raspberry Pi RP2040 chip peeking by means of a window round again to make them that a lot cooler.

However the pièce de résistance is Framework’s Growth Bay, which helps you to slot a total discrete cell GPU into the laptop computer — or, later this 12 months, a pair of additional SSDs.

We’ve recognized all this since Framework’s March announcement. However this previous week, I obtained to be the primary to take a working GPU-equipped model of the modular laptop for a spin. I took the Framework Laptop computer 16 aside and pieced it again along with my very own two fingers and the only screwdriver Framework ships with each PC. I admired the admirable distinction of its semi-custom 16-inch, 2560 x 1600, 100-percent DCI-P3 coloration gamut, 165Hz VRR anti-glare display screen.

And I requested Patel, and AMD’s Frank Azor, why we should always nonetheless consider in upgradable modular laptop computer GPUs after the high-profile failure of Alienware’s Space-51m to ship on the identical. Listed below are their solutions boiled right down to the uncooked essence:

It’s the first motive Framework invested on this machine, so it has to comply with by means of.Modularity is the corporate’s total mission, not only a function to promote.Framework has massive, skilled companions right here: AMD has engineers working with Framework each day. Compal builds the laptop computer. TUL (you would possibly know Powercolor) does the discrete GPU. Framework has a monitor document of really delivering on modular guarantees.The Framework Laptop computer 16 is solely constructed completely different.

Let’s start by tackling the final two factors.

The Framework Laptop computer 16 was a dream from the very starting, says Patel — earlier than the corporate was even fashioned. Patel, a former LAN occasion fanatic like myself, says Framework had a alternative: “Can we do modular discrete graphics proper on the outset,” or “be sure we’re constructing a very nice product proper from the beginning?”

So in 2021, we obtained a compact 13.5-inch everyman laptop as an alternative of a gaming machine. Evaluations of the unique Framework Laptop computer 13 had been slightly skeptical; my colleague Monica repeatedly identified that an upgradable laptop computer’s worth “hinges on future assist.”

However in 2022, her headline was “guarantees saved.” And this 12 months, as Framework shipped its third set of CPU upgrades for the Framework 13 whereas concurrently enhancing battery life, she referred to as the 2023 revisions “a DIY dream come true.” Whereas Dell and Lenovo are nonetheless simply side-eying related ranges of modularity, Framework has already adopted by means of.

The Framework Laptop computer 16, in the meantime, is extra modular than two Framework 13s put collectively. It’s a right away pleasure for tinkerers like me.

You start by pulling two thumbnail-sized levers on the backside of the keyboard deck. The left one slides left, the correct one slides proper, and that’s all it takes to launch the touchpad and its two spacers. Slide these off the underside fringe of the laptop computer, and you’ll entry the keyboard and its spacers (or non-obligatory numpad) too — every of which magnetically snaps down onto its corresponding spring-loaded pogo pin contacts with a satisfying slap sound. Reader, I grinned ear to ear.

Elevate that prime row of “Enter Modules” with their pull tabs, and also you’ve obtained two choices from there: twelve Torx screws allow you to take away the midplate to entry the laptop computer’s major elements, or you may flip up slightly hatch to rapidly entry the Growth Bay.

Right here’s the place issues get slightly bit prototype-y, as a result of that’s precisely what they’re: I attempted all the pieces I’m describing on a DVT (Design Verification Check) prototype, the very first “ID mannequin” off the design flooring in Taiwan. Patel cautioned me that what you’re seeing is meant to appear and feel like the ultimate product externally, however greater than a handful of issues will change.

As an illustration, the 12 screws are captive and helpfully numbered so you may simply substitute the midplate correctly, however the order is flawed as of right now. The quad audio system shall be mounted in another way, and so they haven’t but been tuned. The bezel textures are painted on reasonably than manufacturing unit completed. And maybe most significantly, all the pieces beneath that little Growth Bay hatch ought to depend on a single extremely highly effective connector and 6 Torx screws — as an alternative of the little flex cable that presently runs the CPU followers and the Philips-heads Framework needed to substitute for my demo.

What gained’t change: you do need to energy down the system to alter Growth Bays. They’re not, and gained’t be, hot-swappable.

However that connector actually does energy a discrete GPU: a Radeon RX 7700S with its full 8GB of 18Gbps GDDR6 reminiscence and a whole 100W of energy to play with. As a result of when Framework got here calling, AMD picked up the telephone instantly.

Enjoyable reality: each the supposedly upgradable Alienware Space-51m and the Framework Laptop computer 16 have a standard champion. The Space-51m was Alienware co-founder Frank Azor’s final massive launch earlier than he turned AMD’s gaming chief. Framework’s CEO says he partnered with AMD on the Framework 16 as a result of Azor personally obtained excited and began pushing internally. “He mentioned that is the way it ought to have been performed,” Patel tells me.

Once I converse to Azor, he says one of many greatest issues chasing the grail was pondering a slotted laptop computer GPU needs to be any completely different than slotted desktop graphics playing cards which mix GPUs with their cooling. “That’s labored for 30-plus years in desktops, and for some motive each try previous to this has tried to do one thing completely different and failed,” he says.

So once you insert this laptop computer’s non-obligatory discrete GPU, you’re additionally inserting a pair of 75mm Cooler Grasp followers. And should you look intently as they slide into the case, you’ll see they don’t simply cool the GPU — they cool the whole PC.

By default, the Framework Laptop computer 16 comes with an “Growth Shell” — a bay that’s largely empty save for a pair of 8.2mm thick blower followers. Three heatpipes from the laptop computer’s AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS or Ryzen 9 7940HS direct warmth to finned heatsinks on both aspect of the Growth Bay, the place these twin blower followers shove warmth out the left and proper of the chassis.

Add the Radeon RX 7700S, although, and a thicker 11.5mm set of those self same followers pull double obligation blasting air out two further vents round again, the place one other pair of finned heatsinks cool twin heatpipes hooked up to the GPU’s heatspreader. (The laptop computer has intakes on each the highest and backside: the holes on the prime of the keyboard deck are for air flow, not audio.)

If that seems like loads to chill, I agree — and within the preliminary model of this story, I wrote how I regretted I can’t provide you with any thought how nicely it really works in follow, as a result of Framework broke the followers on its solely GPU module in the USA, Patel admitted to me. We had been solely in a position to run a couple of clean minutes of Elden Ring earlier than the system started throttling itself because of the utter lack of cooling.

Framework didn’t have time to ship one from Taiwan earlier than opening preorders, however on August 4th, I performed video games for quarter-hour on a Framework Laptop computer 16 prototype with a working GPU fan. It doesn’t have optimized drivers or fan curves but — or any fan curves in any respect, for that matter, it ran at a loud one hundred pc the entire time.

However I performed Cyberpunk 2077 on excessive spec and slightly Halo Infinite multiplayer with no throttling of any form, with the GPU sitting at 70 levels beneath full load. Looks as if the followers might present adequate cooling!

Cooling isn’t the one essential factor Framework has performed to evolve modular GPUs, although. One other is what I’ve lovingly dubbed the expandable butt: as an alternative of getting the GPU absolutely enclosed within the laptop computer, like Alienware/Dell’s proprietary DGFF playing cards or your typical MXM module, Framework’s Growth Bay hangs off the again and backside of the laptop computer. At this time’s GPU makes the laptop computer simply 3 millimeters thicker, 20.2 millimeters deeper, and provides two-thirds of a pound (0.3kg) — tomorrow’s may be larger or smaller relying on how graphics evolve. The essential factor is that they’re not bodily constrained by the laptop computer: they’ll increase to suit no matter a GPU wants.

Lastly, Framework developed an interposer bridge that’s designed to be comparatively futureproof as nicely — its twin 74-pin connectors not solely carry eight PCIe lanes and fan alerts, they’ll theoretically ship as much as 210W of energy — not simply the 100W that right now’s 7700S consumes. Framework already plans to ship the dGPU-equipped fashions of the Framework 16 with what could possibly be the primary 180W USB-C energy adapter, and the laptop computer is designed to be 240W-ready, theoretically maxing out the USB PD 3.1 spec with future mixtures of elements.

Regardless of all this, Framework and AMD had been fairly cagey about promising GPU upgrades — although after asking the identical query a half-dozen methods, I believe it’s protected to say they’re strongly leaning that course. “We’ve very particularly designed the Framework 16 for graphics bay upgradability,” says Patel. “We’re dedicated to creating positive there are graphics modules past the preliminary launch.”

“We’re dedicated to generational upgrades as an organization,” he provides later. “All the price, the engineering… an enormous chunk of that was making the Growth Bay system attainable. That’s not one thing we’re going to do and abandon, as a result of there wouldn’t have been some extent constructing the product with out that.”

“We’re invested in future variations of this product with Framework,” AMD’s Azor tells me, however gained’t decide to GPU upgrades particularly once I press him. He provides that AMD can’t make an absolute assure as a result of expertise can change unexpectedly — like if, say, PCI-Categorical dies off like AGP did within the early 2000s. “I don’t suppose anybody might assure that AGP was going to be round ceaselessly,” he says.

I think they’re being cautious for authorized causes too — in spite of everything, Dell was sued over the Alienware Space-51m. Whereas plaintiffs had been ultimately pressured into arbitration, it wasn’t an excellent look — and their lawyer Steve Hochfelsen confirms to The Verge that his shoppers gained settlements in particular person arbitration.

I’m undecided I agree with Patel that there “wouldn’t have been some extent” with out discrete GPUs, by the best way, and I say that as a result of I’m impressed. Even should you by no means intend to noticeably sport on a Framework 16, it seems to be probably the most compelling model of the corporate’s modular imaginative and prescient but.

Right here’s a few of what I discovered beneath the laptop computer’s 12-screw midplate:

Simply-removed M.2 2280 SSD? Test: only one extra screw. Shock: there’s a second smaller M2 2230 SSD slot proper beneath!Simply-removed battery? One of many best ever — no glue, no tape, not even a finicky connector to yank. Three screws and it flips proper up out of the battery contactsTwo spring-loaded reminiscence module slots absolutely uncovered, with assist for as much as 96GB of DDR5-5600 RAMFully uncovered Wi-Fi 6E / Bluetooth 5.2 module, with one screw and two antenna cables to pop offSpeakers that pull proper out after disconnecting their readily accessible wiresNumbered screws to take away and reinstall the CPU’s heatspreader and heatpipes must you substitute the mainboard sooner or later — although I didn’t take away it for concern of spilling liquid steel on the corporate’s solely ID prototype within the USA A magnesium alloy decrease chassis sturdy sufficient to carry the entire system by one cornerSix of Framework’s pick-your-port Growth Playing cards as an alternative of the 4 on the Framework 13 — the rear two supply USB4 speeds

Earlier than we shut, I ought to point out there’s loads that Framework will not be speaking about right now — both as a result of it’s not remaining, or as a result of Patel desires to give attention to what the corporate is definitely planning to ship on day one.

As an illustration, Framework’s not speaking about battery life, past saying it needs to be higher than the 13-inch mannequin. You actually shouldn’t count on the Laptop computer 16’s 85Wh battery to sport too lengthy on a 100W GPU and 30W price of different elements — it’s simple arithmetic. However Azor means that on the Framework 16’s Radeon 780M built-in graphics, the system ought to positively be capable to cross the two-hour mark with “many video games” on battery.

And whereas I did break the information that the Framework Laptop computer 16 theoretically helps snap-on detachable secondary batteries, Patel says there are not any present plans to supply one — he prompt possibly third events will step up. “It’s fairly one thing {that a} energy financial institution maker might make,” he says, including that he’d like to see desktop graphics card makers attempt further GPUs as nicely.

Talking of the GPU once more, there are not any gaming benchmarks to share but, working followers or no. None of that’s been optimized, although Framework says that commonplace off-the-shelf AMD Radeon drivers ought to work for its GPU — particular ones gained’t be required.

There’s additionally no timeline on providing a secondary low-power e-paper fashion display screen just like the one Framework confirmed its investor Linus Tech Ideas, although Patel is aware of folks need one. “The display screen didn’t look nice,” he explains.

However Framework nonetheless has loads of choices to promote you right now. Whilst you’ll default to a white-backlit NKRO keyboard with black spacers and no numpad, you may go as fancy as a totally clear RGB backlit keyboard (+$50) with a totally clear “RGB Macropad” (+$59) plus color-shift spacers (+$10) whose remaining model ought to transition from orange all the best way to blue.

Spacers may even be accessible in textured orange and lavender for an additional $5, or the programmable 34×9 dot matrix module we noticed on the launch occasion for an additional $39. Orange and lavender bezels shall be accessible too, and Framework will even supply a keyboard for Linux customers that replaces the Home windows key with a Tremendous key.

Carbon-fiber and wooden spacers are additionally on the best way — they’ve been delayed — and later this 12 months, Framework will ship a module you may stick contained in the Growth Bay Shell that provides two further M.2 2280-or-less size SSD slots and “gained’t be particularly costly.”

The massive query now’s whether or not you’ll purchase that discrete GPU and the 180W USB-C energy adapter, if the Framework 16 seems like your jam.

At this time, the Framework Laptop computer 16 begins at $1399 for the “DIY version” with a Ryzen 7 7840HS, bring-your-own-storage, reminiscence and working system, no energy adapter, add your individual ports, and costs go up quick from there. The GPU is $400, and the facility adapter is $79, although the latter comes with prebuilt machines beginning at $1699 with the identical Ryzen 7840HS, 512GB of storage, 16GB of RAM, and 6 modules price of USB-C ports (most different ports value $10 additional).

$1599 DIY and $2099 prebuilt are the beginning costs for the Ryzen 9 7940HS, whose prebuilt spec comes with 32GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD. All fashions include the identical 85Wh battery, fortunately, the identical high-end display screen, in addition to a 1080p60 webcam, Home windows Hey fingerprint reader within the energy button, and a big glass-covered precision touchpad.

I don’t suppose I can say it higher than I mentioned within the video atop this publish: I’m staggered that Framework 16 even exists. There are such a lot of transferring elements, so many issues that would theoretically go flawed with this machine, so many corporations which have deserted related concepts earlier than they might attain their potential.

I don’t belief any firm — no moral journalist ought to. This can be a dear machine that would allow you to down. However I believe Framework is likely one of the solely corporations, possibly the one one, that would get this proper. I sincerely hope Patel and his workforce do, as a result of it’s the form of laptop I’d wish to personal.

Azor tells me that if Framework does succeed, he thinks this could possibly be the following main inflection level for high-performance laptops — that each different producer will react, as a result of folks genuinely care about upgradability and repairability and since the OEMs are all competing for 20 million high-performance laptops a 12 months.

That’s why he tried it at Alienware. “If this proves profitable and folks worth this as a lot as we hypothesize they’ll, that is going to have legs ceaselessly.”

Replace, August 4th: Added my re-test with Framework’s mounted GPU followers.