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Framework laptop: Modular, repairable, thin and stylish

By Darius Soyer. Ever wanted a future where laptops were practically fully modular and simple to repair while remaining thin, light and stylish? Why wait, the future is now. Framework has done what all other laptop makers said was impossible. Their new laptop looks beautiful, it’s thin, reasonably priced, easily repairable, upgradable, and has up to date technologies. In an age where consumers have to fight for the “Right to repair”, Framework is not only facilitating this right, but helping you extend the lifespan of your device.

Core principles of Framework

Sustainability

One of the best ways to reduce our impact on the environment is by reducing electronic waste or e-waste. E-waste poses a particular risk to the environment since a lot of toxic chemicals and compounds go into the creation of our electronic devices. By extending the life of laptop you can delay if not eliminate its arrival to your local landfill. Reducing the need to source material to make a new one, contributing to habit loss and pollution from mines, etc. You can repair and upgrade the Framework laptop to make it work great for as long as you need it to. On top of that, it uses a 50% post-consumer recycled (PCR) aluminium housing, 30% PCR plastic, and fully recyclable materials for packaging.

Privacy

You can control your privacy with built-in hardware privacy switches giving you complete control over access to the camera and microphones. Open-source embedded controller firmware also will give you the peace of mind that no one is spying on you or harvesting your personal data to sell. You can even install a privacy focussed OS on a Storage Expansion Card and take it with you.

Transparency

Each modular part of the Framework laptop has a scannable QR code, which will give you access to documentation, repair guides, replacement and upgrade parts, and insight into design and manufacturing data.

Framework laptop features

First thing after assembling your DIY kit, you will notice that the power button is also a fingerprint scanner. This will give you that extra layer of security. Most people use their laptops like a portable desktop, plugged in all of the time. This may be convenient, but unhealthy for your battery, the framework laptop gives you the option to disable the battery saving it and extending its operating lifespan.

The laptop has many different options from no memory (6 other options), no WiFi card (2 other options), no operating system (2 other options) or even storage (7 other options) so you can provide your laptop with the hardware you want, with the choice of CPUs being from Intel’s 11^th gen line up: the i5-1135G7, i7-1165g7, i7-1185G7 with a lot more choices coming from various other manufacturers.

Lenovo IdeaPad 3 (15”, Intel) Laptop

Swift 10^th Gen Intel^® Core™ processing
15.6” HD touchscreen display with narrow bezels
Physical webcam shutter for added protection
Convenient numeric keypad enhances productivity
Great entry-level laptop that makes multitasking easy

Starting at US$439.99

Order Now

You can choose the DIY version where the laptop comes in a kit and you put it together on your own saving you a build fee (approximately US$250). If you thought that was interesting, the laptop even has fully modular IO ports to change where, when or even how many USB-C/A ports, HDMI ports, display port ports (yes, it’s called display port port), micro SD card readers or even expandable storage that doesn’t dangle or obstruct in any way on your laptop. The keyboard and bezel are interchangeable. You can charge on either side of the laptop and it even works with Linux.

The laptop comes with colour-coded screws with provided screwdrivers, which they even provide for free along with extra screws of each kind just in case you lose one. The back opens up with a mere 5 screws. Each internal component has a QR code to scan so you can learn how to change them.

They are even hiring right now at jobs.frame.work.

Specifications and options for the Framework DIY Kit and Framework laptop

DIY Kit

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Processor

Processor Options

i5-1135G7 (8M Cache, up to 4.20 GHz)

i7-1165G7 (12M Cache, up to 4.70 GHz)

i7-1185G7 (12M Cache, up to 4.80 GHz)

Operating System

None (bring your own)

Windows 10 Home (Download)

Windows 10 Pro (Download)

Storage

None (bring your own)

Storage Options

WD_BLACK™ SN750 NVMe™ SSD 250GB

WD_BLACK™ SN750 NVMe™ SSD 500GB

WD_BLACK™ SN750 NVMe™ SSD 1TB

WD_BLACK™ SN750 NVMe™ SSD 2TB

WD_BLACK™ SN750 NVMe™ SSD 4TB

WD_BLACK™ SN850 NVMe™ SSD 500GB

WD_BLACK™ SN850 NVMe™ SSD 1TB

WD_BLACK™ SN850 NVMe™ SSD 500GB

WD_BLACK™ SN850 NVMe™ SSD 2TB

Memory

None (bring your own)

Memory Options

1x 8GB DDR4-3200

2x 8GB DDR4-3200

1x 16GB DDR4-3200

2x 16GB DDR4-3200

1x 32GB DDR4-3200

2x 32GB DDR4-3200

Connectivity

None (bring your own)

Intel® Wi-Fi 6E AX210 No vPro®

Intel® Wi-Fi 6E AX210 vPro®

Power Adapter

None (bring your own)

60W USB-C

Display

13.5” 3:2

2256×1504, 100% sRGB color gamut, and >400 nit

Battery

55Wh

Graphics

Iris Xe Graphics

Camera

1080p 60fps

Ports

4x User-selectable Expansion Cards

3.5mm combo headphone jack

Biometrics

Fingerprint Reader

Keyboard

Backlit

Warranty

1 Year Framework Limited Warranty

Weight & Dimensions

1.3kg

15.85mm x 296.63mm x 228.98mm