Overview: Framework’s Laptop computer 16 is exclusive, laudable, fascinating, and flawed


Andrew Cunningham
Specs at a look: Framework Laptop computer 16 | |
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OS | Home windows 11 23H2 |
CPU | AMD Ryzen 7 7940HS (8-cores) |
RAM | 32GB DDR5-5600 (upgradeable) |
GPU | AMD Radeon 780M (built-in)/AMD Radeon RX 7700S (devoted) |
SSD | 1TB Western Digital Black SN770 |
Battery | 85 WHr |
Show | 16-inch 2560×1600 165 Hz matte non-touchscreen |
Connectivity | 6x recessed USB-C ports (2x USB 4, 4x USB 3.2) with customizable “Enlargement Card” dongles |
Weight | 4.63 kilos (2.1 kg) with out GPU, 5.29 kilos (2.4 kg) with GPU |
Value as examined | $2,499 pre-built, $2,421 DIY version with no OS |
Now that the Framework Laptop computer 13 has been by means of three refresh cycles—together with one which swapped from Intel’s CPUs to AMD’s inside the very same physique—the corporate is setting its sights on one thing greater.
In the present day, we’re taking an prolonged have a look at the primary Framework Laptop computer 16, which desires to do for a workstation/gaming laptop computer what the Framework Laptop computer 13 did for thin-and-light ultraportables. In some methods, the individuals who use these sorts of methods want a Framework Laptop computer most of all; they’re a fair greater funding than a thin-and-light laptop computer, and a single CPU, GPU, reminiscence, or storage improve can lengthen the helpful lifetime of the system for years, similar to upgrading a desktop.
The Laptop computer 16 melds concepts from the unique Framework Laptop computer with some all-new mechanisms for customizing the machine’s keyboard, including and upgrading a devoted GPU, and putting in different modules. The result’s a comparatively cumbersome and heavy laptop computer in comparison with a lot of its non-upgradeable alternate options. And you may must belief that Framework delivers on its upgradeability guarantees someplace down the road because the present choices for upgrading and increasing the laptop computer are pretty restricted.
However the firm has accomplished an awesome job of constructing belief with the Framework Laptop computer 13—in the event you do not thoughts the design of the Laptop computer 16, there is a fairly good probability you will have interesting upgrades to seize. In a 12 months or two.