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Framework Laptop 16 Review: A Modular Marvel, but a Mediocre Gaming Laptop

posted by hubie on Tuesday March 19 2024, @07:32PM   Printer-friendly

mrpg writes:

https://www.engadget.com/framework-laptop-16-review-modular-wonder-mediocre-gaming-laptop-150026910.html

If you're a PC hardware geek who's been dreaming of a laptop that you can upgrade far beyond the life cycle of a typical machine, Framework's modular notebooks must seem like a miracle. The American company has a straightforward pitch: What if your laptop could be nearly as customizable as a desktop, with the ability to swap components out for repairs and upgrades? What if we could put an end to disposable hardware? We were intrigued by Framework's original 13-inch notebook and its Chromebook variant, despite some rough edges and a basic design. Now, with the Framework Laptop 16, the company is targeting the most demanding and (arguably) hardest group of PC users to please: Gamers.

Framework has already proved it can build compelling modular laptops, but can the Laptop 16 cram in powerful graphics, a fast display and other components to keep up with the likes of Alienware, Razer and ASUS? Sort of, it turns out — and there are plenty of other tradeoffs for living the modular laptop dream. Hardware quirks abound, battery life is mediocre and it still looks like a totally generic machine. But how many other notebooks could let you completely upgrade your CPU or GPU in a few years? Who else offers a customizable keyboard setup? In those respects, the Framework 16 stands alone.

[...] I was genuinely bummed to discover that it was a fairly mediocre gaming machine, at least for its high price.

What do you think? Is having a laptop that you can upgrade more important than having the fastest laptop on the block? What price would you pay for being able to upgrade your hardware?

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  • (Score: 3, Funny) by jman on Wednesday March 20 2024, @12:46PM (1 child)

    by jman (6085) Subscriber Badge on Wednesday March 20 2024, @12:46PM (#1349619) Homepage
    My Framework 13" is a couple of years old now, replacing a then 13-year-old MBP (which still works, and I loved that machine; but like Gramma, doesn't want to run as fast and far as it used to).

    The new mobile device ended up costing about what the old one had, but unlike the new version of the old one at least I can get in there and replace parts as needed.

    I'll check back in a dozen or so years from now and let you know how this "upgradability" thing worked out.

    Who knows; by then, everything may be holodeck-based, and I won't even need to lug hardware around with me anymore...
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  • (Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday March 20 2024, @01:37PM

    by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday March 20 2024, @01:37PM (#1349623)

    but unlike the new version of the old one at least I can get in there and replace parts as needed.

    Yeah, I've replaced the battery of my 2011 MBP. Also upgraded the RAM and swapped the HDD with an SSD.

    Arguably with the SSD and RAM it runs faster than stock.

    Wasn't that difficult: https://youtu.be/aQLov6ZaE9I?t=90 [youtu.be]

    It's not like the newer Macs with stuff soldered/glued in.