The world's most DIY-friendly laptop just got a big upgrade



© Provided by Tom's Guide Framework A portable open blue background computer showing the removable parts

Framework Laptop is getting a fix this week, as the company that follows this portable DIY computer is releasing a new version with upgraded cap, improved battery performance and the latest 12th Gen Intel CPUs.


This is good news because the Framework Laptop was already very good around when it came into operation in May 2021, and now the Framework has time to make some improvements based on feedback from people who are just starting to use it.


In our review of Laptop Framework from 2021 I am pleased with the fact that Framework brought its promise to sell a highly flexible and affordable portable computer on the market. The fact that the Framework Laptop is also portable like the MacBook Air, powerful enough to handle most tasks and powerful enough to last 10 hours or more with It's one of the greatest laptops on the market, especially if you worry about battery life. about your right to repair and repair equipment you own.


For all these reasons and more, Framework was my favorite laptop of the year for 2021 - and now there is an improved model available for 2022.


As of today (May 19), Framework is selling a new version of Framework Laptop through its website. Pre-orders are in progress, and the company plans to send portable computers in batches based on when you order, so do it as soon as you need them soon.


This new model comes with Intel Alder Lake CPUs, upgraded to more than 11th Gen chips in last year's version. New chips should give strength to both performance and energy efficiency.


The framework also makes subtle improvements, including improving battery life (although you will need to use Linux to see the maximum benefits here) and upgrading the top cover by switching to a different assembly method (full CNC structure compared to aluminum). That latest change should make the laptop more durable and durable.


The company also plans to release its first Ethernet Expansion Card later this year, which should be welcome news for anyone trying to connect their Framework to high-speed internet connection.


If you don't know, the expansion card system is another great feature of Framework Laptop: Four spaces on the sides of a portable computer (two facing side) can be filled with Framework expansion cards, sold by the company. and play the harbor or additional storage area. They cost between $ 10 to $ 150 each, and allow you to do some tricks like swapping your USB-C holes for USB-A ports if you need to use old items, or briefly change your 1TB storage card to get a card Extend it too. microSD card reader where you need to extract pictures from your digital camera memory card.


With this upgrade, the Framework Laptop gets a price increase of $ 50, up to $ 1,049 from the original model price of $ 999. That doesn't seem like a huge walkthrough, and one of the great things about the Framework business model is that you can order a DIY version "built for you" of a very cheap portable computer.


You can find one of these advanced Framework Laptop kits that pack 12th Gen chips for a low price of $ 819, which also costs about $ 60 more than the original $ 749 price of last year's Framework Laptop DIY Edition.


Remember, though, that you pay for part of the cost yourself by assembling the pieces of portable computer. (Don't worry, Framework design and documentation makes this a viable effort even for fools like me.) You will need to donate your RAM, hard drive, and operating system or pay the Frame extra money to send it. you others.


Thanks to the highly flexible Laptop Framework design - the laptop is easy to open, almost every component is easy to change, and they all have QR codes that guide you on how to repair them and the flexible purchase links - you can. buy an upgrade kit that you can use to upgrade your Framework Laptop into a new hardware.


Framework sells new chips and lids as separate units or packaged Development kits in its Framework Marketplace, so you do not need to buy a new portable computer to enjoy the experience of upgrading to this year's model.


While today’s announcement includes a minor upgrade to the Framework Laptop, it brings some welcome improvements and suggests that a Framework product that despises the industry is more than just a glow in the pan.


When Framework Laptop was launched last year I was immediately drawn to its amazing design and DIY ethos, but I had some real doubts about whether there would be enough need to keep Framework running. But now that a year has passed and Framework seems to be thriving, with an active community of enthusiasts and a store full of cool upgrades and changing parts, I feel very confident about the future of one of my favorite laptop computers.