Framework Teases a Better Future For Laptop Computing

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Morgann

Framework’s newest upgrade is a serious nod to a future full of modular, open hardware. Let’s hope they follow through.

Framework has announced the launch of the second-generation Framework Laptop, a device that is meant to be faster and more sturdy than its predecessor. More importantly, it signals Framework’s commitment to building long-lasting devices that are upgradeable and modular, something that has been promised many times before but rarely delivered.

The standout feature of the new laptop is its processor, which is a 12th Gen Intel Core i5 or i7 chip. The top-of-the-line model, priced at $2,049, runs the Core i7-1280P, which represents a full generation jump from the current model. The new Alder Lake chips promise significant improvements in performance and efficiency. The base model, running a Core i5-1240P, starts at $1,049 fully assembled. While all models are available for preorder now, shipping will only start in July, and the company is using a preorder system to manage demand, so expect delivery to take some time.

Aside from the performance jump, Framework has also rebuilt the laptop’s top cover, which is now more rigid than before. This is a welcome change, as the laptop’s unavoidable flimsiness was one of the worst qualities of the first model, according to a review by The Verge’s Monica Chin. Framework has also claimed to have “carefully optimized battery life,” which was only average on the last model.

The rest of the specifications have not changed much, with the new laptop retaining a 13.5-inch screen, weighing just under three pounds, and having the same decent keyboard and trackpad. Overall, the new Framework Laptop is a nice improvement over the previous model, but it’s nothing groundbreaking.

What’s more exciting is the fact that the new chipset will also be available in Framework’s Marketplace. This means you can buy a mainboard with a 12th Gen chip and slot it into your existing Framework Laptop, avoiding the need to buy a whole new device. Alternatively, you can choose to replace your top cover with the new, stronger one without changing anything else. The Upgrade Kit, which includes both pieces, starts at $538. The company is also planning to continue selling the first-gen laptop at a discounted price of $899 while supplies last, allowing users to start their upgrade path whenever they want.

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The idea behind Framework’s announcement is more exciting than the announcement itself. The company’s plan for building longer-lasting laptops could only work if it stayed committed to upgradeability and made sure to do right by the users who bought its devices on the promise of future upgrades. Many companies have made promises about modularity and longevity, only to break the system as soon as a shiny new thing came along. The new Framework Laptop is both a new thing and a thoroughly backward-compatible thing, and that’s a big deal.

The Framework website features the Community section where followers and tech-industry leaders gather to discuss the future of laptop computing, the Framework mission, and their potentially industry-disrupting products. Check them out and don’t forget to circle back here and let us know what your thoughts are in the comments section below.

 

framework laptop computing
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