Framework Laptop Launches AMD Ryzen Upgradeable Laptop, Intel Raptor Lake Models Too

[stiiixy]

Frameworks seems to be delivering on the idea they espoused, and it looks great. All of this could have happened ~25 years ago and we could have had modular laptops the whole time like desktops are. But it didn't, and we haven't, and the Frameworks team have done the work, so respect to them. I also think the Coolermaster case that houses a Frameworks motherboard and makes it a desktop is amusing.

Personally, while I understand the strengths of laptops and why people use them, I have always considered them lesser devices and a bit crap. As I recall it, PCs won the war with Macs because they were more freely modular. It was disappointing that laptops didn't follow the winning strategy. That might be a lesson to other manufacturers. Even if they don't want to make modular designs, they also don't want to be on the losing side.

I would like to see standardisation to the point that RAM, SSDs, batteries, screens, ports, and those MxM graphics cards can be replaced willy-nilly with parts from several sources. Maybe eventually an LTX standard could enable this.

Personally, I'm of the opinion on both sides. If it's integrated, make the whole thing integrated. ALL of it, in the one chip(let), a la Zen. CPU/GPOU/AUDIO/NIC/BT/WIFI. If it's not, don't do this half-arsed approach with replaceable hard drive or RAM, because the rest of the unit is likely to die well beforehand. Make the whole thing modular. I really don't understand the differentiation on the laptop market. Modularise it, and I'll bring my Atom CPU to my RDRAM with 5.25" HDD and valve tube audio, thank you very much!

[Anux]

however, the CPU still has to be upgraded with a motherboard swap and is not a socketed part like my old high end Dells.

There are no sockets for mobile CPUs anymore (my T430 is also the last from Lenovo with CPU socket), the only alternative would be a desktop CPU.

My old laptops even have MXM socketed GPUs in addition to the CPU.

Their 16" model will have a swapable GPU but not MXM standard.

There will also be cases for their motherboards and GPU to use them outside a laptop. And in the Linus video there was a 13" version with a matt screen.

[Teggs]

Frameworks seems to be delivering on the idea they espoused, and it looks great. All of this could have happened ~25 years ago and we could have had modular laptops the whole time like desktops are. But it didn't, and we haven't, and the Frameworks team have done the work, so respect to them. I also think the Coolermaster case that houses a Frameworks motherboard and makes it a desktop is amusing.

Personally, while I understand the strengths of laptops and why people use them, I have always considered them lesser devices and a bit crap. As I recall it, PCs won the war with Macs because they were more freely modular. It was disappointing that laptops didn't follow the winning strategy. That might be a lesson to other manufacturers. Even if they don't want to make modular designs, they also don't want to be on the losing side.

I would like to see standardisation to the point that RAM, SSDs, batteries, screens, ports, and those MxM graphics cards can be replaced willy-nilly with parts from several sources. Maybe eventually an LTX standard could enable this.

[rob-tech]

This seems somewhat nicer than other laptops, however, the CPU still has to be upgraded with a motherboard swap and is not a socketed part like my old high end Dells. I wish the industry would do away with soldered components such as CPU's and WiFi modules entirely as all too often the entire thing must be junked when such a major component fails. My old laptops even have MXM socketed GPUs in addition to the CPU.

[qarium]

Nice but I don't get the focus on upgrade capability in a laptop. If Framework really wanted to get me as a customer, a focus on reliability, ruggedness and low power, would be the selling points. After years of running Intel laptops the one thing that Apple's MBA M1 has taught me is that the I86 world doesn't get it. Lower power usage (long run times) and high performance in a light package beats most other concerns. Admittedly it is too bad Apple doesn't get some of their user concerns (they should be actively supporting Linux on this machine) but they make real the idea of a high performance laptop that goes for days on a battery charge.

the AMD X3D cpus is what you want for games for example an intel 13900K needs 148watt to run and a 7950X needs 105watt with similar FPS... and the 7950X3D runs the game faster with only 72watt,...
of course this numbers is from the desktop.

but for notebooks its the same if you buy a laptop with AMD X3D cpu the performance per watt is much higher than intel.

maybe apple M3 will still be faster per watt but the point is 'AMD is the upgrade to intel on the laptop.

[horizonbrave]

(5) I Made a Bad Decision – Framework Investment Update - YouTube

Linus Tech Tips just released a video showcasing swapable keypads, numpads, RGB strips, small 2nd display, and hell yes if you pay for it instead of a windowskey you get a superkey on your keybord .

Saw it before you posted about and thought "where did I just rant out about it (again)?"

LoL

Can't wait to order one to show my support

[erniv2]

The Windows keyboard key should be swappable for a generic or Linux one.

(5) I Made a Bad Decision – Framework Investment Update - YouTube

Linus Tech Tips just released a video showcasing swapable keypads, numpads, RGB strips, small 2nd display, and hell yes if you pay for it instead of a windowskey you get a superkey on your keybord .

[horizonbrave]

The Windows keyboard key should be swappable for a generic or Linux one.

[Anux]

Yeah, they did it! My old laptop is probably gonna last another 6 to 8 years but then I'm tempted to buy a new laptop instead of an old used one.

I've gone through their laptop config tool and couldn't see any display options, do they only offer one panel?

[lkraav]

I can give you an example of my personal experience. I currently have an XPS 9560, and I absolutely adore this laptop. Amazing 4K 15.6" screen, beautiful shell, keyboard, i/o, 32GB DDR4 3200 RAM, 1TB PM961 nvme SSD. Everything on this laptop is brilliant, but the CPU itself is getting long on the tooth - the 4 core 8 thread i7-7700HQ is starting to show its age with the stuff I am working on these days. This is a £2000 laptop. If I could drop in a new motherboard with an updated CPU and keep all the rest I would be saving a ton of money. Motherboards for framework laptop go for around £600 with a decent CPU on them.

I reckon I'm upgrading this year to the 16" framework.

I feel this. Got XPS 7390 2-in-1 early 2020, specifically Ice Lake because at the time it was the only thin-n-light platform available w/ 32 GB RAM and OLED screen.

It's been a champion, but this year cooling fans start slow failing: https://www.dell.com/community/XPS/C...1/td-p/7990190

Fortunately fans are available on eBay for $40 (once you figure out what models you need), but repairability of this thing is way more difficult than Framework. It's going to be a disassembly project once fans get here from China.

So yeah, I'm eyeing this Ryzen announcement with great interest.

Also: these days for me, it's OLED or nothing, so I contributed to their "What's holding you back from buying" thread: https://community.frame.work/t/if-yo...2/247?u=lkraav

I do like Framework concept a lot: community size, product team participating. This is what I want out of my next laptop. Although unless this XPS mobo straight dies one day, I think it will do for a few more years thanks to 32 GB RAM alone. Other than the really crappy keyboard key travel thing..