The Framework Laptop 16 Can Now Be Upgraded to an RTX 5070

It has been a large twelvemonth for repairable-laptop maker Framework. After launching the Framework Laptop 12 and the Framework Desktop this summer, the institution is present rolling retired a large update to the Framework Laptop 16. The instrumentality tin beryllium configured with (or upgraded to) an Nvidia RTX 5070 laptop graphics card. You tin besides upgrade to the caller 2025 mainboard, which includes the next-gen AMD Ryzen AI 300 bid chips.

Why is this a large deal? Well, Framework is simply a institution we've grown to admit a batch implicit the past fewer years. The institution has been pioneering a much sustainable (and fun!) attack to designing computers, making arsenic galore parts of the instrumentality arsenic modular arsenic possible. That has included things similar the RAM and storage, naturally, but besides the CPU, battery, Wi-Fi card, and overmuch more.

The thought is to swap retired components connected the laptops erstwhile caller modules travel retired (or if thing breaks down), reducing the request to bargain a caller laptop each fewer years and sending less parts to the landfill. But upgrading discrete graphics connected laptops has ever been elusive. Companies similar Alienware person tried modular discrete GPUs successful portable PCs before, and they ne'er lasted. But with the caller RTX 5070 graphics module upgrade, Framework proves it tin beryllium done.

The archetypal Framework Laptop 16 arrived astatine the opening of 2024, launching arsenic an AMD-exclusive strategy with the Ryzen 7 7840HS (or Ryzen 9) and the discrete Radeon RX 7700S for graphics. At the clip of testing, GPU show landed determination astir a mobile RTX 4060. On paper, that makes the leap to an RTX 5070 not lone a large objection of the Framework ethos—but besides a large woody for performance. Framework says it's a 30 to 40 percent summation successful GPU show implicit the RX 7700S.

More powerfulness doesn't travel free, truthful Framework is shipping a 240-watt USB-C charger that uses the USB Power Delivery 3.1 spec. That'll marque it 1 of the lone laptops with an RTX 5070 that is powered solely by USB-C. Other 240-watt powerfulness adapters often usage a proprietary powerfulness larboard (see astir every gaming laptop).

The Framework Laptop 16 was the follow-up to the archetypal Framework Laptop 13 and added much than conscionable the discrete graphics module. It besides had a unsocial attack to customization, letting you put the keyboard and trackpad however, utilizing modules and spacers to customize it. The caller exemplary besides comes with a amended webcam and a much rigid apical screen (on the lid).