Announced in March, the modular Framework Laptop 16 is now available for pre-order.

because the Framework Laptop 16 is a modular gaming laptop that could be the holy grail for DIY PC fans craving portable power. This Framework Laptop follows the first Framework Laptop, an ultra-portable that allows unprecedented access to modular components and allows users to easily upgrade and repair.

In our review of the Framework Laptop, we were struck by how well this modularity worked, in addition to the laptop itself being an excellent productivity machine with a great keyboard and 3:2 aspect ratio display. So a larger, more powerful version would naturally attract people's attention.

The Framework Laptop 16 has six expansion slots instead of the four found on standard Laptops, giving access to an eGPU module with an AMD Radeon RX 7700S graphics card that can be upgraded at a later date. Other key specifications include an AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS or Ryzen 9 7940HS option, support for up to 64GB of DDR5 RAM, and up to 4TB of storage from 250GB or NVMe M.2 space. Buyers can also add their own SSD instead. [The base price for the DIY Framework Laptop 16 starts at $1,399/£1,399/$2,319 AUD, with an additional $400/£400/$660 AUD for the GPU module. From there, prices go up depending on what makes up the laptop. The pre-built Frameworks Laptop 16 starts at $1,699 / £1,699 / AU$2,819 and comes bundled with Windows 11.

Furthermore, initial lots of the Frameworks Laptop 16 are sold out (at time of writing) and will be available in Q1 2024. However, if you want the Laptop 16, we recommend that you pre-order early from the Frameworks website.

Framework is still a new player in the laptop world and has not yet reached the scale of Dell or Asus to produce thousands or tens of thousands of units. If you place a pre-order and change your mind, Framework will give you a full refund.

Given the appeal of the Framework laptop, we would rather see other laptop manufacturers consider modularization. In a world where e-waste and pollution are concerns, it is both environmentally and economically sensible to make laptops last longer.