Framework Laptop 16 ZDNET's key takeaways The Framework laptop 16 is available for pre-order now at $1,499, with units shipping this month.
The upgraded hardware and multi-vendor GPU options make it a high-performance machine with lots of customization.
It faces the same challenges as its predecessors, namely mediocre battery life and physical build inconsistencies. View now at Framework
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Framework, maker of DIY, modular, repairable PCs, just released its latest Laptop 16 with a refreshed set of hardware, an updated mainboard, and some external build improvements. The refreshed Laptop 16 also offers an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 GPU -- a first for the 16-inch -- along with the AMD Radeon RX 7700S, affording users even more customization options for its expansion bay graphics module.
First launched back in 2023, the new Framework Laptop 16 is also backwards compatible with previous versions, allowing for a mix and match of components from previous builds to take advantage of the upgraded hardware, sticking to the brand's ethos of longevity and repairability.
Also: How this DIY Windows laptop stole my heart from more expensive models (and it works with Linux)
There's a real demand for this kind of sustainable, accessible product, especially in an economy where consumers are fatigued with expensive, un-upgradeable laptops, planned obsolescence, and Microsoft's pulling of the plug for Windows 10 support.
The Framework Laptop 16 addresses at least a few of these issues with a device you can customize from the ground up, load with Linux out of the box, and repair indefinitely with a robust community, extensive support, and unique design choices.
I recently spent a few weeks with the new Framework Laptop 16 using it as my main driver, and have a lot of positive things to say, but there are definitely some things to be aware of before going the DIY route.
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