Upgradable laptop maker Framework Computer has finally revealed a price for its upcoming 16-inch laptop, and it won’t be cheap.
The company today kicked off pre-orders for the Framework 16 starting at $1,699 for the prebuilt model, which comes with Windows 11 already installed.
The cost is a significant price bump from Framework’s standard 13-inch laptop, which starts at $1,049. However, the 16-inch model offers more screen space and customization options, allowing you to modify the keyboard and even slap on a discrete GPU module.
The pre-order page shows that the add-on GPU costs another $400. Framework decided to pack an AMD Radeon RX 7700S notebook-based GPU into the module. “We’ve maxed out the capabilities of the chip, with 100W sustained TGP and 8GB GDDR6 at up to 18Gbps,” the company wrote in a blog post. “This GPU excels for both work and play, with 32 compute units at up to 2.2GHz, enabling high-end gaming, incredible rendering, and encoding throughput.”
If the price is too high, a DIY 16-inch model starts at $1,399. It comes without the RAM, storage, and OS, though customers can add them during the purchase process.
Like the company’s earlier products, the Framework 16 is designed to be fully upgradable, allowing you to swap out old parts for new ones as the laptop ages. But for now, the Framework 16 only runs AMD’s “Phoenix” chips, either the Ryzen 7 7840HS or the Ryzen 9 7940HS processors, which were designed for gaming and content creation.
If users decide the add-on GPU module costs too much, Framework notes: “There’s fantastic graphics performance built in too, with Radeon 780M graphics with 12 RDNA 3 cores, capable of running a range of modern game titles.”
Other specs include the 2,560-by-1,600 screen, which has a 165Hz refresh rate, an 85Wh battery that promises to last a full work day, and a built-in 1080p web camera. The laptop weighs about 4.6 pounds and features a metallic chassis made out of magnesium alloy and aluminum.
For those who pre-order today, the company plans on shipping the first units sometime in the fourth quarter. Other batches will ship in late Q4, it says.
“A fully refundable $100 deposit is all you need to get in line,” the company adds. “We recommend getting your order in early if you’d like to get a system this year.” Stay tuned for our review.