This evaluation first appeared in challenge 355 of PC Pro.
The Framework Laptop computer 16 defies categorization. It’s a gaming laptop, until you determine not to decide on discrete graphics, by which case it’s a productiveness workhorse.
Even then you have got choices to make. Which keyboard? Must you select a quantity pad? Maybe an RGB macro pad? What about spacers, ports, storage? That is merely probably the most customizable laptop computer I’ve seen.
There are two drawbacks, beginning with the value. However all the varied enter choices, growth decisions and graphics swaps make specifying the Framework Laptop computer 16 a sophisticated matter. For PC Professional readers aware of the interior workings of PCs this received’t be an issue, however Framework is hitting the purpose the place you want a level of experience or you could possibly make a expensive mistake.
Begin with the fundamentals
As at all times with Framework, you’ll be able to both construct the laptop computer your self – and convey your individual OS – utilizing its DIY Version, or go for a pre-built mannequin. The previous begins at £1,399, the latter at £1,699.
When you go for pre-built, you have got three choices: Efficiency, Efficiency Professional (which, for an additional £50, contains Windows 11 Professional) or Overkill for £2,099. Each Efficiency fashions have the identical core spec of an AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS, 16GB of reminiscence and 512GB of storage. Overkill ups the ante with a Ryzen 9 79440HS, 32GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD.
Framework despatched us its £1,749 Efficiency Professional configuration, however with the Graphics Module containing a discrete AMD Radeon RX 7700S chip, which provides £400 to the value.
So our take a look at system prices £2,149, however that’s earlier than including any extras. As a part of the value, you get six USB growth playing cards to fit into the six bays constructed into the aspect of the chassis, and if you happen to keep on with USB-A or USB-C you received’t pay any additional. Need HDMI, a DisplayPort, microSD card or an audio jack? These price an additional £10 apiece. And if you’d like Ethernet you’ll pay £30 extra. You can too order storage growth playing cards, with 256GB (£45) or 1TB (£125) choices out there. In brief, this can be a smorgasbord of a laptop computer so that you can equipment out as you want.
Select fastidiously, although. You’ll be able to solely cost from the again 4 ports, whereas solely three of the six ports help show output. And USB-C works in any port, however solely the again two permit full USB 4 speeds.
Key choices
At this level, it received’t shock you that the selection of keyboard and touchpad modules on the Framework Laptop computer 16 depend upon you. Your decisions, nonetheless, should embrace a keyboard module, touchpad module and spacers, with the opportunity of a quantity pad, macro pad and LED Matrix spacer as extras.
Framework expects you to work out the place to place the keyboard. It might be central, with two spacers on both aspect. Or maybe you’re left-handed and would like to place the quantity pad there. Simply as importantly, if certainly one of these components dies, it’s straightforward to exchange.
There are a load of choices to choose from, and Framework is joyful to promote them to you. An RGB backlit keyboard – US English solely, for now – prices £50. A quantity pad module is £39, whereas an RGB macro pad is an additional £79. This macro pad presents 24 programmable RGB backlit keys which you could configure how you want in software program.
And there’s extra. Whereas black spacers for the keyboard come normal, you’ll be able to change to orange, gray or lavender for £5 a pop. Or go wild and purchase the LED Matrix design for £39 every. The draw back of this modularity is that there are seams; whereas every thing is guided by magnets and suits snugly, you’ll be able to see the place the modules and spacers are separated.
The keyboard and macros are managed by the open-source software program VIA, and whereas Framework makes use of a simplified, browser-based model, there’s nonetheless a studying curve. Framework must work on this: it ought to be far simpler to program the RGB macro pad, as an illustration.
My different gripe is in regards to the keyboard. Framework says the keys supply 1.5mm of journey, however they have been too mushy for my style. If solely Framework supplied a ThinkPad-like keyboard possibility.
Improve means
Whereas shuffling across the Framework’s modular enter mechanisms is straightforward sufficient, really entering into the machine is tougher than on the Framework Laptop 13. After eradicating the entire enter modules, you need to pull a cable within the steel plate, helpfully labelled #1. From there, you should use a T5 screwdriver (one comes with the laptop computer) to take away 16 captive screws labelled 2 to 17.
Our pre-built mannequin got here with a single 512GB M.2 2280 SSD put in. If you wish to add one other, there’s room for a smaller M.2 2230 SSD beneath. The DDR5 reminiscence is upgradable, as is the battery and, in concept, the motherboard (that is additionally your path to future CPUs). The opposite improve is the GPU, however for the time being the Radeon RX 7700S is your solely possibility. I’d prefer to see Nvidia get entangled, however Framework is making no guarantees.
You can too purchase the laptop computer with each the Graphics Module and the Enlargement Bay Shell. The concept is that if you wish to journey lighter, you’ll be able to swap the shell with the graphics module. Nonetheless, it’s a trickier course of than it ought to be.
Frequent vacationers will most likely take the time, although, as even with out the Graphics Module the laptop computer weighs 2.1kg. With it, that goes as much as 2.4kg, and the peak on the again will increase from 18mm to 21mm.
Pace enhance
Framework’s 16in anti-glare show comes with a 2,560 x 1,600 IPS panel, and it carried out properly in our technical checks. It covers 75% of the DCI-P3 gamut with a peak brightness of 485cd/m2and a median Delta E of 0.21. There’s additionally an anti-glare coating, which is healthier for work than for video games or watching movies.
Nonetheless, once I began testing with certainly one of my favourite video games, Management, it appeared nice. The sport options lots of crimson lighting, which appeared vivid and vibrant on the Framework Laptop computer. The pair of audio system sound good, too, solely missing in bass.
As for velocity, I began at 1,920 x 1,200 on Excessive settings with medium ray tracing presets, the place the sport ran between 40fps and 48fps however with a number of stutters. Slicing ray tracing and dropping to Medium settings stored me extra reliably above 50fps, albeit once more with a couple of hiccups. The followers have been spinning loudly throughout gameplay, conserving the system cool.
These aren’t nice outcomes, particularly in comparison with laptops with an RTX 4070 – which now price lower than £1,500. For instance, on Shadow of the Tomb Raider’s highest settings, the Framework reached 86fps at 1080p and 49fps on the panel’s native decision of two,560 x 1,600. An RTX 4070 system scored 104fps and 60fps respectively.
It’s an identical story for productiveness efficiency. Though the Ryzen 7 7840HS is a nice processor, with eight high-performance cores and 16 threads, a look via these pages will evaluation cheaper laptops that outperform it. Taking into consideration this can be a laptop computer with gaming abilities, nonetheless, it was nice to see battery lifetime of 8hrs 49mins in our web-surfing take a look at.
Remaining phrase
Whereas I’ve my criticisms of the Framework Laptop computer 16, then, it’s apparent in so many ways in which this can be a firm with ethics at its coronary heart. That stretches to the 1080p webcam, which produces good element and hues but additionally contains a change subsequent to it that turns it off. There’s one other change for the microphone, too.
Then there’s its method to supplies: the duvet is made out of 75% post-industrial recycled (PIR) aluminum, the underside cowl is 90% PIR aluminum, transport is absolutely carbon offset and the packaging is 100% recyclable. Framework is setting the requirements for different to comply with.
Whereas the Framework Laptop computer 16 isn’t for everybody, it presents tech fans the possibility to construct their dream laptop computer – supplied that the dream entails a 16in display screen and all-AMD components.