Framework’s entire pitch hinges on hardware you can truly keep forever. With the Framework Laptop 16, the company stretches that ethos across a bigger canvas, introducing a modular GPU bay, swappable keyboard deck, and expansion bays that feel more like Lego bricks than laptop components. I’ve spent a month toggling between a creator-ready setup in the studio and a lean build for travel, and the Laptop 16 consistently surprised me with just how far modularity can go without sacrificing polish.
Product Overview
Prices for the Framework Laptop 16 start at $1,699 for a DIY Edition sporting an AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS, integrated Radeon 780M graphics, and a 16-inch 2560 x 1600 165 Hz display. My review unit stepped up to the Ryzen 9 8945HS, 32 GB of DDR5 memory, a 1 TB Gen 4 SSD, and Framework’s Modular Graphics Module (MGM) with an AMD Radeon RX 7700S. That configuration retails for $2,399 pre-built, though DIY shoppers can mix and match components from the Framework Marketplace.
Regardless of configuration, every Laptop 16 ships with six expansion slots along the sides that can host USB-C, USB-A, HDMI, DisplayPort, Ethernet, or even storage modules. A 61 Wh battery comes standard, but a 86 Wh pack is available for those willing to give up the modular graphics bay. Framework includes a 180 W GaN charger and leaves the RAM, storage, Wi-Fi card, keyboard, touchpad, and GPU module user-accessible. The company also promises to publish schematics for third-party accessory makers, cementing the device’s platform ambitions.
Modularity upgrades from Framework 13
Framework’s smaller 13-inch laptop already offered swappable ports, but the Laptop 16 goes further with a magnetic input deck that lets you reposition the keyboard, add a numpad, or swap in macro pads. The GPU module is the headline addition — a self-contained cartridge with active cooling that slots into the rear expansion bay. Framework says future modules could include NVIDIA options or even FPGA accelerators, a tantalizing prospect for engineers and creatives.
Design and Build Impressions
At 4.7 pounds with the Radeon module installed, the Laptop 16 isn’t featherlight, yet its recycled aluminum chassis feels rock-solid. The lid opens smoothly with one hand, revealing a slim-bezel display and a deck that looks far cleaner than the Frankenstein image you might expect. Magnetic retention keeps the input modules flush, and the seams practically disappear once everything snaps into place. I swapped the standard keyboard for the retro-styled clear keycap version Framework sells separately, and the process took under 30 seconds.
The display is a highlight: 16:10 aspect ratio, 500 nits peak brightness, and factory-calibrated to 100 percent DCI-P3. The 165 Hz refresh rate makes scrolling buttery, and variable refresh support keeps gaming smooth even when frame rates dip. A 1080p webcam with privacy shutter sits above the display, flanked by IR sensors for Windows Hello and Framework’s own Fedora-based beta firmware.
Thermals and acoustics
Framework redesigned its cooling system for the larger chassis, implementing dual 12 V fans, five heat pipes, and a vapor chamber integrated into the GPU module. Under sustained CPU and GPU loads, fan noise hit 46 dB — audible but not irritating. More importantly, the deck remained cool enough to type on, with surface temperatures peaking at 40°C near the top row. Removing the GPU module drops weight by 0.6 pounds and significantly reduces fan spin during everyday tasks.
Performance Testing
Modularity means performance varies by configuration, but the Ryzen 9 and Radeon 7700S combo held its own against fixed-hardware competitors. In Cinebench 2024, the Laptop 16 posted a multi-core score of 1,420, outpacing similarly priced Intel Core Ultra machines. Geekbench 6 numbers landed at 2,400 single-core and 12,800 multi-core, confirming AMD’s efficiency advantages. The Radeon 7700S delivered 9,800 points in 3DMark Time Spy, roughly matching a mobile GeForce RTX 4060.
Real-world workflows told a similar story. Encoding a 4K ProRes video in Adobe Premiere Pro took 6 minutes and 12 seconds, shaving almost a minute off a Razer Blade 15 with comparable specs. Blender’s Classroom render completed in 5 minutes flat, while Cyberpunk 2077 at 1440p high settings averaged 68 frames per second with FSR 2 balanced. Thermals held steady, and I never observed throttling that undercut performance.
Battery life depends on whether the GPU module stays attached. With the Radeon installed and display at 200 nits, I logged 7 hours and 10 minutes of mixed productivity, including Slack, Chrome with 25 tabs, and a bit of Visual Studio Code. Removing the GPU module and swapping in a passive expansion shell extended runtime to 10 hours and 5 minutes, demonstrating the tangible benefits of tailoring the laptop for each scenario.
Upgrade and repair experience
Framework’s promise hinges on ease of repair, and the Laptop 16 nails it. Every component carries a QR code that links to step-by-step guides. Opening the chassis requires five captive screws, and the keyboard deck lifts up with a gentle pull. I swapped the SSD and RAM in under five minutes, then replaced the default keyboard with Framework’s RGB variant just as quickly. The only mild annoyance is cable routing for the GPU module’s power connector, which demands care to avoid pinching during reassembly.
Software and Ecosystem
Framework ships Windows 11 Pro by default, but the system plays nicely with Linux distributions thanks to AMD’s open drivers. Fedora 40 and Ubuntu 24.04 both detected the expansion modules without fuss. Framework’s Expansion Manager utility in Windows lets you remap macro pads, adjust RGB lighting, and monitor temperatures for both the CPU and GPU modules. Firmware updates arrive via the Framework Driver Bundle, which has matured significantly since the company’s early days — I encountered no driver conflicts or sleep-resume bugs.
The Framework Marketplace remains a differentiator. During the review, I ordered a third-party expansion card that adds a microSD Express slot and another that houses an LTE modem. Both snapped in flawlessly, and Framework’s community forums are buzzing with hobbyists prototyping everything from audio DACs to AI accelerators. It’s rare to see a laptop spur this level of experimentation without voiding warranties.
Audio and input quality
The Laptop 16’s top-firing speakers deliver a pleasant surprise with robust mids and crisp highs, peaking at 84 dB in testing. Bass is limited, but Dolby Atmos support adds spaciousness to movies. The modular touchpad can be centered or offset depending on whether you install the numpad; its glass surface rivals premium Ultrabooks, and haptic feedback remains even across the panel. Key travel is 1.5 mm with a tactile bump that makes long typing sessions a joy.
Pros and Cons
- Pros: Best-in-class modularity, strong AMD performance, vibrant 165 Hz display, thriving ecosystem of expansion modules.
- Cons: Heavier than mainstream 16-inch laptops, fan noise under GPU load, some modules still in pre-order status, limited availability of high-end NVIDIA graphics — for now.
Final Verdict
The Framework Laptop 16 feels less like a science experiment and more like a blueprint for how notebooks should evolve. It balances modular ambition with thoughtful design, letting you tailor the machine to suit a coding sprint, a color-grading session, or a long flight with minimal compromise. Yes, it is pricier and heftier than off-the-shelf competitors, and early adopters must accept that certain modules will take time to materialize. But Framework has already proven it can deliver on upgrade promises, and the Laptop 16 is its most convincing argument yet that a laptop doesn’t need to be disposable. If you crave control over your hardware and value the ability to upgrade on your own terms, the Framework Laptop 16 should top your shortlist.