Finally, A Laptop With A Truly Upgradable GPU – Review Geek

Framework is becoming a very impressive company.

One of the biggest downsides to a gaming laptop is that you can’t upgrade the GPU, or any other component, typically. But the most popular modular laptop company is here to shake things up. Your new Framework Laptop 16 offers upgradable graphics without stupid compromises or external equipment.

Previous Framework laptops offer three modular upgrade bays, which can accommodate a variety of expansion cards (USB-C cards, SSD cards, etc.). But the Framework Laptop 16 packs six upgrade bays, plus a fully modular keyboard system that gives you tons of customization options. You can center the keyboard, add a number pad, add some macro keys, or install a small secondary display (although these more ambitious modules are still in development).

Interestingly, you can also adjust the location of the trackpad using spacers. Although I should point out that unlike previous Framework laptops, the Framework Laptop 16 does not have a built-in headphone jack. You may have to sacrifice one of those six expansion bays if you use wired headphones (although you can always replace the headphone expansion with something else when it’s not needed).

Of course, the upgradable discrete graphics are the highlight of this laptop. If you look at the back of the Framework Laptop 16, you’ll see a flat black rectangle. This is actually a PCIE “Expansion Bay System”; If you don’t mind a fatter, heavier laptop, this rear expansion bay is where you’ll install a GPU. (The Framework also plans to offer a dual-SSD expansion to fit in this same location.)

We assume the Framework will collaborate with AMD or NVIDIA to build these modules, though the company hasn’t announced such a partnership. For what it’s worth, the Framework says that “the community” can develop custom modules for this system, and the official modules will be compatible with external cabinets. (So, you have a lot of options here.)

I should also clarify that like other Framework laptops, the Framework Laptop 16 is upgradeable and repairable from top to bottom. You can change the motherboard and CPU, replace the screen, etc.

Framework plans to open pre-orders for the Laptop 16 later this year. Detailed specifications and pricing are unknown at this time. For those who are curious, the Framework will share documentation on GitHub.

Source: Marco