Framework Laptop 16 Review: A Modular Masterpiece with Room for Improvement
The Framework Laptop 16 is the latest iteration in a line of laptops designed to be upgraded and modified over time. And what a game-changer this upgrade cycle has been – the latest addition, which swaps out the Radeon RX 7700S for NVIDIA's GeForce RTX 5070, takes things to a whole new level.
For those who haven't heard, Framework promises to build laptops that can be upgraded and modified without breaking the bank. And now, they've finally delivered on this promise with a meaningful CPU and GPU upgrade that will make enthusiasts take notice. The new NVIDIA GPU, in particular, is the star of the show here.
But before we dive into the nitty-gritty of performance, let's talk about what makes this laptop tick. Under the hood, you'll find a choice between AMD Ryzen AI 7 or AI 9 processors, both of which promise to deliver 45W TDP. And with up to 86GB RAM and six expansion card slots, this machine is ready to tackle anything from video editing to AI modeling.
However, as with any high-performance laptop, there are trade-offs to be made. The biggest hurdle here is cooling – the discrete components of the GPU and mainboard need their own self-contained cooling systems, which can lead to issues when pushing the machine to its limits.
When I put the Laptop 16 through its paces, I was surprised by how well it performed in demanding tasks like gaming and AI modeling. The NVIDIA RTX 5070 delivered impressive frame rates in Cyberpunk 2077, even with Ray Tracing enabled at high settings. And while productivity tasks like video compression were a breeze, the machine's limitations became apparent when pushing it to its limits – the fan noise was a constant companion, making it difficult to use this laptop in public.
But here's the thing: for those who value modularity and longevity over everything else, the Framework Laptop 16 is an absolute dream. You can upgrade individual components with ease, and the machine will remain relevant for years to come – a feat that few other laptops can claim.
Of course, there are caveats. For those who don't care about modularity or won't be using this laptop for more than a year or two, there are plenty of alternatives available at lower price points. But for enthusiasts and professionals who value the flexibility and upgradeability of this machine, Framework is well-placed to take advantage.
In short, the Framework Laptop 16 is a modular masterpiece that will appeal to those who want a laptop they can grow with over time. With its powerful components, modularity, and commitment to upgrading, it's hard to argue against the value proposition here.
The Framework Laptop 16 is the latest iteration in a line of laptops designed to be upgraded and modified over time. And what a game-changer this upgrade cycle has been – the latest addition, which swaps out the Radeon RX 7700S for NVIDIA's GeForce RTX 5070, takes things to a whole new level.
For those who haven't heard, Framework promises to build laptops that can be upgraded and modified without breaking the bank. And now, they've finally delivered on this promise with a meaningful CPU and GPU upgrade that will make enthusiasts take notice. The new NVIDIA GPU, in particular, is the star of the show here.
But before we dive into the nitty-gritty of performance, let's talk about what makes this laptop tick. Under the hood, you'll find a choice between AMD Ryzen AI 7 or AI 9 processors, both of which promise to deliver 45W TDP. And with up to 86GB RAM and six expansion card slots, this machine is ready to tackle anything from video editing to AI modeling.
However, as with any high-performance laptop, there are trade-offs to be made. The biggest hurdle here is cooling – the discrete components of the GPU and mainboard need their own self-contained cooling systems, which can lead to issues when pushing the machine to its limits.
When I put the Laptop 16 through its paces, I was surprised by how well it performed in demanding tasks like gaming and AI modeling. The NVIDIA RTX 5070 delivered impressive frame rates in Cyberpunk 2077, even with Ray Tracing enabled at high settings. And while productivity tasks like video compression were a breeze, the machine's limitations became apparent when pushing it to its limits – the fan noise was a constant companion, making it difficult to use this laptop in public.
But here's the thing: for those who value modularity and longevity over everything else, the Framework Laptop 16 is an absolute dream. You can upgrade individual components with ease, and the machine will remain relevant for years to come – a feat that few other laptops can claim.
Of course, there are caveats. For those who don't care about modularity or won't be using this laptop for more than a year or two, there are plenty of alternatives available at lower price points. But for enthusiasts and professionals who value the flexibility and upgradeability of this machine, Framework is well-placed to take advantage.
In short, the Framework Laptop 16 is a modular masterpiece that will appeal to those who want a laptop they can grow with over time. With its powerful components, modularity, and commitment to upgrading, it's hard to argue against the value proposition here.
. sure, the modularity is cool and all, but that just means you're gonna have to spend even more money on individual upgrades later on. and let's not forget about the noise from the fan - if you're gonna be using this thing in public, good luck with that 
. plus, 86gb of ram is a lot, i mean who needs that much? it's just going to make the laptop slower at high settings 
. overall, i think framework is trying too hard to appeal to enthusiasts and professionals, and end up sacrificing some actual usability in the process 
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still, 86gb ram and six expansion card slots? that's some serious future-proofing right there 
I mean have you seen those expansion card slots? it's like they took a page outta the old gaming PC days when we used to upgrade our rigs every 2-3 years lol. and the fact that you can swap out individual components is just genius. reminds me of the good ol' days of building my own laptop with a bunch of spare parts from Craigslist 
Fan noise is like a constant companion when pushin' it hard. Still, for the mod crowd, this thing is a dream come true. Upgradability-wise, it's like no other laptop out there. And with those AMD Ryzen chips, you can bet your bottom dollar it'll hold its own in the long run. 
. The only thing that's keeping me from buying this bad boy is the noise level - fan noise can be a real buzzkill in public places, you feel? Still, for those of us who value modularity and longevity, I'd say Framework has got it right on 
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and i gotta say its like a whole new level of upgradeability has been reached i mean we've all been waiting for someone to make laptops that are actually modifiable without breaking the bank and framework finally delivers 
but at the same time i can see why cooling would be a major issue for some people the fan noise got annoyingly loud when pushing it to its limits 
you can upgrade individual components with ease and the machine will stay relevant for years to come
. But for someone like me, where upgradeability is key, this sounds like an amazing deal 
! I mean, who needs a brand new laptop every year when you can upgrade your own and keep going strong? It's all about saving money and reducing waste, right? 
So yeah, for anyone who values modularity and wants a laptop that'll stay relevant for years to come, this is the one. 
. Still, if you're into modularity and longevity like me, this laptop is a total win 
. I mean, who needs a laptop that's gonna be obsolete in a year? Not me, that's for sure 
when i was using it for high-performance tasks, the fan noise was pretty annoying. still, if you're an enthusiast who wants a laptop that will last you years to come, the framework laptop 16 is definitely worth checking out 
But, gotta say, the cooling system is kinda wonky and fan noise is super annoying... still, I think it's worth it for all you tech heads who want a laptop that'll last you years. Perfect for gamers, developers, or anyone who wants a machine they can just keep adding to over time 
. I mean, I remember when laptops were just simple beasts that you could slap some fans in and call it a day. This whole need for custom cooling solutions is a bit of a headache, but I guess it's all worth it for the flexibility and upgradeability.
. I mean, who wouldn't want to be able to slap in a new GPU or RAM module whenever they need to? It's like having a Swiss Army knife of laptops – you can do pretty much anything with it.
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. Think about it, with Framework and others offering modular designs, we're basically handing over our hard-earned cash to these companies, just so they can take a bigger chunk of the profit pie 
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. And also, just 'cause this laptop is modular doesn't mean it's perfect - there are trade-offs, like the fan noise, that we gotta consider. So, let's all take a deep breath, appreciate the flexibility, but also be smart about our choices 
. Upgrading individual components is a total game-changer 
and cooling issues are a major concern 
. Still, if you're all about the modularity life 
, this laptop is def worth considering