Hands on: Framework Laptop 16 review
This comment first appeared in Issue 355 PC Pro.
Frame laptop 16 violates classification. It’s one Gaming laptopunless you decide not to choose discrete graphics, in this case, it is the main force in productivity.
Even then, you can make a decision. Which one keyboard? Should you choose a digital pad? Maybe it’s the RGB macro pad? What about the gasket, port Storage? This is just the most customizable laptop I’ve ever seen.
Starting from the price, there are two disadvantages. However, all the various input options, extension selection and graphics interchange make the specified frame laptop 16 a complex problem. for PC Pro Readers who are familiar with the internal functioning of PCs this is not a problem, but the framework is at the point where you need a certain level of expertise, or you may make an expensive mistake.
Start with the basics
As always, you can build your own laptop (and use its DIY version), or choose a pre-built model. The former starts at £1,399, while the latter starts at £1,699.
If you choose to pre-built Windows 11 Pro) or overkill, priced at £2,099. Both performance models have the same core specifications AMD Ryzen 7 7840hs, 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. Overkill with ryzen 9 79440hs, 32GB Memory and 1TB SSD.
Framework sent us its £1,749 Performance Pro configuration, but the graphics module contains a discrete AMD Radeon RX 7700S chip, which has an increase of £400 in price.
So our test system costs £2,149, but that’s before adding any additional features. As part of the price, you get six USB expansion cards that plug into the six bays built into the case, and you won’t pay any extra if you stick with USB-A or USB-C. Want HDMI, DisplayPort, microSD card or audio jack? These cost an extra price of £10. If you want Ethernet, you will pay £30. You can also order a storage expansion card with 256GB (£45) or 1TB (£125) options. In short, this is the smorgasbord for laptops for you to do the kit as you wish.
However, please choose carefully. You can only charge from the last four ports, and only three of the six ports support display output. And USB-C will work on any port, but only the latter two allow for full USB 4 speeds.
Key decisions
At this point, the choice of keyboard and touchpad modules on the frame laptop 16 is up to you, and it doesn’t surprise you. However, your choice must include a keyboard module, touchpad module and gasket, and have digital pads, macro boards and LED matrix gaskets as additional features.
frame Hopefully you can figure out where to put your keyboard. It may be centered with two gaskets on both sides. Or maybe you’re left-handed and would rather have the number pad there. It is also important that if one of these parts dies, it is easy to replace.
There are many options and the framework is happy to sell it to you. The RGB backlit keyboard – currently only in American English – costs £50. A digital pad module is £39, while an RGB macro pad is an extra £79. The macro pad provides 24 programmable RGB backlit keys, which you can configure in the software the way you like.
And more. While the keyboard’s black gasket is standard, you can switch to orange, grey or lavender for £5 per pop. Or buy the LED matrix design wildly for £39 each. The disadvantage of this modularity is that it has seams. While everything is guided by magnets and fits, you can see where the module and the shim are separated.
Keyboards and macros are controlled by open source software through open source software, and although the Framework uses a simplified, browser-based version, there is still a learning curve. The framework needs to work on this aspect: for example, programming an RGB macropad should be much easier.
My other trick is about the keyboard. The frame says the keys offer 1.5mm of travel, but they are too mushy to my taste. If only frameworks are provided with keyboard options similar to ThinkPad.
Upgrade capability
While it is very easy to do random reshuffle around the modular input mechanism of the framework, it is actually more difficult to get into the device than to be on the device Frame Laptop 13. After removing all input modules, you must pull a cable on the metal plate, which helps mark 1.
Our pre-built models come with a single 512GB M.2 2280 SSD. If you want to add another one, there is a smaller space for the M.2 2230 SSD. this DR5 Memory can be upgraded, and in theory, the battery can be upgraded (this is also your path toward a future CPU). Another upgrade is GPUbut currently the Radeon RX 7700 is your only option. I’d like to see Nvidia Participate, but the framework has no commitment.
You can also purchase a laptop with graphics modules and an extended shell case. The idea is that if you want a lighter, you can swap the case with the graphics module. However, this is a more difficult process than it should be.
However, frequent travelers may put in the effort, even without the graphics module, the laptop weighs 2.1 kg. What followed was 2.4 kg, and the height on the back increased from 18mm to 21mm.
Speed ​​increase
The Framework’s 16-inch reverse glue display comes with a 2,560 x 1,600 IPS panel and performs well in our technical tests. It covers 75% of the DCI-P3 range and has a peak brightness of 485cd/m2The average delta is 0.21. There is also an anti-glare paint that is better than for games or movies.
However, when I started testing with one of my favorite games controllooks great. The game has a lot of red lighting and looks bright and vibrant on a frame laptop. This sounds good to the speakers, and only lacks bass.
As for speed, I started 1,920 x 1,200 on the height setting with a medium ray tracing preset, the game had a run between 40fps and 48fps, but with several colons. Cut ray tracing and dropping to medium settings made me more reliable over 50fps, despite hitting a few more ics again. Fans rotate loudly during the game to keep the system cool.
These results are not very good, especially compared to laptops with RTX 4070 – The price is now under £1,500. For example, Shadow of tombstoneThe highest setting for this framework reaches 86fps at 1080p and the panel’s native resolution is 2,560 x 1,600. The RTX 4070 system scores 104fps and 60fps respectively.
This is a similar story of productivity expression. Although the Ryzen 7 7840HS is an excellent processor with eight high-performance cores and 16 threads, a glance at these pages will review cheaper laptops to outperform it. Considering this is a laptop with gaming skills, it’s great to see a battery life of 49 minutes in our web surfing test.
The last sentence
While I’ve been criticized for the Frame Laptop 16, it’s obvious that in many ways it’s an ethical company. This extends to a 1080p webcam, which produces good detail and color, but also has a switch next to it that can be turned off. The microphone also has another switch.
Then there is its material method: the cover is made of 75% industrial post-recycling (PIR) aluminum, the bottom cover is 90% PIR aluminum, the transport is completely carbon offset, the packaging is 100% recyclable. The framework is setting other standards for other standards to be followed.
While the Frame Laptop 16 isn’t for everyone, it offers tech enthusiasts the opportunity to build a dream laptop—as long as the dream involves a 16-inch screen and all AMD parts.
