No other laptop maker would let me cannibalise the best bit of its new machine the way Framework does and that's a damned shame

Dave James, Editor-in-chief {hardware}

This month I’ve been principally flapping about with new laptops, from upgradeable Intel Core Extremely units to Snapdragon Elite machines. And coping with Jacob’s complaints in regards to the grim state of the workplace, which admittedly is totally my fault.

I didn’t love the brand new Framework 13 laptop computer. The most recent machine to return from the one firm to place repairability and upgradeability on the forefront of its laptop computer design, sports activities the brand new Intel Meteor Lake mainboard, the Core Extremely Collection 1. And, actually, that new Intel chip does not actually do a complete lot for the Framework 13 as a complete.

Positive, you get higher battery life and improved fan noise, however its efficiency lags behind each the spectacular AMD Ryzen model it launched final 12 months and the even older Intel thirteenth Gen mannequin, too. Due to that, I am going again to the previous AMD Framework 13 I have been utilizing because it first landed within the PCG check lab. Properly, I say ‘lab’, however what I actually imply is the grubby, tech-strewn nook of the workplace I name my very own, however that is irrelevant.

Having stated all that, there’s one factor I want the Ryzen Framework had that arrived alongside the brand new Intel Core Extremely Collection 1 model: The brand new system got here with an up to date, greater decision, excessive refresh charge show.

And, due to the best way Framework operates, I need not simply want. I can whip out a screwdriver and mercilessly cannibalise the hapless laptop computer. And it is why I like the Framework 13 and the best way this firm handles its enterprise.

I can whip out a screwdriver and mercilessly cannibalise the hapless laptop computer.

There is no such thing as a different laptop computer producer on the planet the place you may have purchased a machine three years in the past, with four-generation-old {hardware} inside it, after which it releases a brand new laptop computer with a a lot better display and you may simply slot that into your successfully historic system.

I do not know of some other producer that might allow you to try this, not to mention promote the panel by itself market for $269.

That is the scenario right here with the Framework 13. I picked up this Ship of Theseus in 2022 with an unique Intel eleventh Gen CPU inside it. And I might have modified nothing and, nonetheless utilizing the identical screwdriver which got here with that first system, merely eliminated the improved display from the brand new laptop computer and plopped it into this previous one in perhaps 10 minutes and have it simply work the moment it was powered on.

Because it occurs, I’ve truly modified a complete lot of issues on this laptop computer since first getting maintain of the Framework 13. I’ve modified out the mainboard a number of instances, settling now with the wonderful Ryzen 7 7840U board, swapped reminiscence, Wi-Fi module, and battery. And now I am positively going to vary over that display as a result of it has been my one persistent challenge with the in any other case wonderful laptop computer.

The older display has a reasonably poor response time and its 60 Hz refresh charge does not assist dissipate the detail-smear you get when taking part in video games on it. The brand new 120 Hz display is not good, however then I have been spoiled by costly 240 Hz OLED panels lately, and that is nonetheless very a lot an enchancment. I’d urge any Framework 13 house owners to make the improve, particularly because it’s an extremely easy improve to make.

You in all probability would not suppose altering over a complete laptop computer panel can be both fast or simple, however I can swap the panel out in actually 5 minutes. It is a hell of a factor. Simply watch…