This review first appeared in issue 355 ofPC Pro.
The Framework Laptop 16 defies categorization.
Even then you have decisions to make.
It’s possible to replace and repair every part of this laptop yourself
Should you choose a number pad?
Perhaps an RGB macro pad?
What about spacers, ports,storage?
It’s possible to replace and repair every part of this laptop yourself
This is simply the most customizable laptop Ive seen.
There are two drawbacks, starting with the price.
The former starts at 1,399, the latter at 1,699.
Overkill ups the ante with a Ryzen 9 79440HS, 32GB ofRAMand a 1TBSSD.
So our test system costs 2,149, but thats before adding any extras.
Want HDMI, a DisplayPort, microSD card or an audio jack?
The choice of keyboard and touchpad modules is up to you
Those cost an extra 10 apiece.
And if you want Ethernet youll pay 30 more.
In short, this is a smorgasbord of a laptop for you to kit out as you wish.
You can buy a pre-built Framework Laptop if you prefer
Choose carefully, though.
And USB-C works in any port, but only the back two allow full USB 4 speeds.
Frameworkexpects you to work out where to put the keyboard.
It could be central, with two spacers on either side.
Or perhaps youre left-handed and would prefer to put the number pad there.
Just as importantly, if one of these parts dies, its easy to replace.
There are a load of options to pick from, and Framework is happy to sell them to you.
An RGB backlit keyboard US English only, for now costs 50.
A number pad module is 39, while an RGB macro pad is an extra 79.
Or go wild and buy the LED Matrix design for 39 each.
My other gripe is about the keyboard.
Framework says the keys offer 1.5mm of travel, but they were too mushy for my taste.
If only Framework offered a ThinkPad-like keyboard option.
Our pre-built model came with a single 512GB M.2 2280 SSD installed.
If you want to add another, theres room for a smaller M.2 2230 SSD underneath.
The other upgrade is theGPU, but at the moment the Radeon RX 7700S is your only option.
Id like to seeNvidiaget involved, but Framework is making no promises.
you’re free to also buy the laptop with both the Graphics Module and the Expansion Bay Shell.
However, its a trickier process than it should be.
Theres also an anti-glare coating, which is better for work than for games or watching films.
Still, when I started testing with one of my favorite games,Control, it looked great.
The game features a lot of red lighting, which looked bright and vibrant on the Framework Laptop.
The pair of speakers sound good, too, only lacking in bass.
The fans were spinning loudly during gameplay, keeping the system cool.
Those arent great results, especially compared to laptops with anRTX 4070 which now cost less than 1,500.
An RTX 4070 system scored 104fps and 60fps respectively.
Its a similar story for productivity performance.
Theres another switch for the microphone, too.
Framework is setting the standards for other to follow.
We’ve also rated the best monitors for gaming.
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