<
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/feb/28/framework-laptop-16-review-modular-pc-keyboard-port-graphics-card>
"Framework is back with the new, larger and more powerful Laptop 16 that is its
most ambitious device yet: a highly modular and upgradeable 16in machine that
can transform in layout and power in minutes. It is quite unlike anything else
on the market.
Packed with hot-swappable components, the laptop can be customised in myriad
ways, converting from a fast but quiet workhorse by day into an LED-strewn
gaming PC by night.
Costing from £1,399 (€1,579/$1,399/A$2,319), the 16in machine further improves
on the ideas that made its smaller sibling the Laptop 13 such a hit.
Practically everything in the laptop can be taken apart and replaced with
varying degrees of ease.
It has the same brilliant port expansion system as its sibling, allowing you to
click into place up to six little cards to provide any combination of ports,
card readers or expandable storage in the sides of the machine. Most cards cost
less than £20 so they are cheap enough you can keep a collection of them for
different tasks, sliding them in and out as needed.
In addition, the keyboard, number pad, trackpad and LED modules and spacers
simply snap into place via magnets on the top deck. Without tools you can
position the trackpad or keyboard on the left, right or centrally, add a
separate number or macro pad either side, or simply swap out the keyboard
entirely for another language or layout in seconds, even while the laptop is
running.
Diving inside, the Framework’s components including the memory, storage and
wireless cards can be removed with a single screwdriver. You can expand the
storage or RAM yourself or even upgrade bits, unlike many other laptops where
the parts are soldered in place.
But the Framework’s pièce de résistance is the big expansion module that hangs
out the back behind the screen. It allows much more powerful upgrades such as a
module containing an AMD Radeon RX 7700S discrete graphics card.
Once the machine is turned off, these modules simply slide in and out, held in
place by a couple of screws under the keyboard, taking just a few minutes to
add significantly more power or reducing the size and weight of the laptop as
required."
Share and enjoy,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
