Framework just wrapped up a special event in San Francisco where the truly modular laptop pioneer announced a long list of new products and upgrades to its product portfolio. your existing.
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Before we get into some of the finer details about the all-new Laptop 16 with an expansion bay that can accommodate a discrete GPU and an input module bay that allows you to hot-swap the keyboard and numeric keypad, let’s take a look. Take a closer look at the improvements coming to the existing Framework 13″ laptop.
Laptop 13 gets some big updates
If you are procrastinating in using the module because of the lack of an AMD CPU option, your waiting time is coming to an end. Starting today, you can reserve a 13″ laptop with AMD Ryzen 5 or Ryzen 7040 series CPUs. The addition of an AMD build is one of the most requested features from the Framework. In fact, if you already own an Intel-powered Laptop 13, you can upgrade to an AMD motherboard as long as you have or upgrade to DDR5 memory and a compatible Wi-Fi card.
Framework has also announced Intel 13th generation options and motherboards for Laptop 13 in i5 and i7 configurations.
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However, the new processor isn’t the only improvement the Laptop 13 has received. The framework took feedback from reviews and users, and improved battery life by using a new 61Wh battery that increases battery life by 20-30%. There’s also a new matte screen option (shown below), louder speakers (specific to Intel builds), and a new, stiffer hinge.
You can Pre-order 13 . Laptop and any new kits starting today. The Intel version of the Laptop 13 will start shipping in May and the AMD version of the Laptop 13 will start shipping in Q3. Standalone mainboard upgrades will begin shipping at the same time.
Framework is also expanding to the countries where its products are available, including Belgium, Italy, Spain, and Taiwan. Pre-orders in those countries will begin this summer.
A novel way to reuse that old motherboard
For long-time Framework users who choose to upgrade their mainboards when boards with newer and faster processors are announced, they will be faced with the question of what to do with their old component. .
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The Framework already offers some 3D printed designs for cases and other accessories to reuse the mainboard, but you’ll soon be able to purchase the official Mainboard Case made by Cooler Master.
The case effectively turns the mainboard into a laptop, albeit without a display or battery pack. However, the Framework now has open source documentation detailing its battery and display modules, thereby allowing accessory makers and DIY users to turn the mainboard into a kind of miniature PC. .
The case will cost $39 and launch later this spring.
Large Development Frame with 16 . Notebook
In addition to all those modest upgrades to the Framework’s current line of hardware, the company also took time to preview the Laptop 16, a larger, more powerful laptop expected to launch later this year. 2023. Pre-orders are currently slated to begin spring.
As the name implies, the Laptop 16 will have a 16-inch display and have all the same modular and upgradable features as the Laptop 13.
But Laptop 16 doesn’t just offer a larger laptop option to Framework customers. With Laptop 16, Framework will also release new Expansion Bay and Input Module system.
Expansion Bay allows the mounting of a Graphics Module to transform the Laptop 16 from a daily use setup into a gaming or creative laptop — anything that requires a more powerful GPU than CPU. included with the laptop. Or if you don’t want better graphics, you can change the card to add more M.2 . SSD StorageFor example.
The Framework also demonstrated a proof-of-concept external GPU bay using the Expansion Bay GPU card as the eGPU, with both Framework Notebook models.
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The input module allows you to hot-swap the keyboard and numeric keypad directly on the laptop’s deck. This also allows you to decide if you like your keyboard to be centered, centered, or even add an LED matrix or slider to your 16 Notebook.
Today’s announcement is just an early preview of the Laptop 16. The framework hasn’t talked about specs, performance or price yet, which is disappointing but completely understandable.
Pre-orders for the Laptop 16 will begin this summer, with deliveries expected later in the year.
