If you buy the laptop new, you get a few minor upgrades, starting with a new 165Hz, 2560 x 1600 pixel panel with NVIDIA G-Sync support. Plus a new top cover, improved keyboard, numeric keypad, webcam, Wi-Fi 7 support and an improved 240W power supply. Unfortunately, I cannot comment on this as I tested the 2024 model update, which only included the new motherboard and GPU module.
Framework has heard complaints about the USB-C port on the back, which previously did not support charging. It’s an omission that deeply annoyed my colleague Devindra Hardawar in his review of the original machine. But if you now choose the RTX 5070, you can now use the rear port that most people want. (If you’re not aware, the Laptop 16’s discrete GPUs are packaged in self-contained “expansion modules” that fit into the back of the case. The Radeon version can only be used for accessories and/or to connect additional displays.)
In addition to these changes, Framework still promises to improve the cooling situation. The thermal paste has been replaced by Honeywell PTM, there is a new, redesigned fan geometry and optimized tubes for better air circulation. And I don’t want to blame the Framework for not keeping a promise when it has already kept so many others. But if you’ve been following the company for a while, you already know what I’m going to say in the “Used” section.
Forced dedication to AMD port
As always, if you’re dealing with an AMD-compatible frame unit, you should keep in mind the chart that shows which expansion card slots work with which units. We’re not going to attack the Framework for a problem common to all AMD hardware, and the only reason it’s mentioned here is because it gives you the ability to choose which ports to use for what. They don’t have the universal flexibility you’d otherwise expect.
ease
The Laptop 16 is larger and more complex than its smaller siblings, but that doesn’t mean it’s harder to maintain. The company’s iFixit-style rails feel so good in the hand that removing the center plate should be as natural as breathing. And you get a real sense of how well the components are arranged when you take them apart and put them back together. The company claims that replacing the motherboard and graphics module would take an hour, which is overly generous. It took me about 22 minutes to change and configure everything, to the point where I think installing the new drivers was more complicated.
I can’t stress enough how great it is to have a modular, expandable gaming laptop that lets you skip a generation. The ability to retire a two-year-old Radeon and trade it in for a new RTX is (at least for some) a pipe dream. Imagine how long this machine could run if this semi-annual upgrade cycle continues. It’s not a particularly difficult process, making it quite easy for those who might otherwise be stuck with the idea.
Used
Of course, using such a powerful chip and graphics card (INAUDIBLE FAN NOISE) comes with problems. As independent components, the motherboard and expansion module require their own independent cooling. It will never be as good as a well-designed laptop. If you don’t put any pressure on the machine there is no problem at all, only if you use it as intended it becomes a serious problem. If you want to play with this, get some headphones or turn on the subtitles and don’t even think about using it in public. Have you heard? DO YOU HEAR ME? I SAID…AS DESCRIBED COMPONENTS…
And that’s before it really gets hot when this starts. I placed my unit on a stand about four inches from the desk. I put my hand under the covers to feel how warm it was, and it was enough to make me never want to put it on my lap again. Always.
It’s a shame the noise and heat are so pathetic, because this is a car that has enough power to impress many jaded enthusiasts. I accepted Cyberpunk 2077 On the highest possible settings (Ray Tracing: Overdrive), at 1080p, it easily produced 140 fps. By setting it to the default settings (Ray Tracing: low but setting the resolution to maximum on screen) he was able to achieve 182 fps.
You’ll get equally impressive performance if you use the Laptop 16 for productivity rather than gaming. It compressed a 38GB 4K video file into an 8GB HD MP4 file in 28 minutes and 29 seconds. With LM Studio, I was able to use Google’s Gemma 3 27B model with performance that I thought was pretty decent. Of course, the chatbot wasn’t as responsive as Gemini online, but it barely stuttered. I’d say the performance here is more or less within spec, with the only downside being that the fan is horribly loud.
Prices
If you’re buying a new off-the-shelf Laptop 16 from Framework, the Ryzen AI 7 configuration starts at $1,500, the AI 9 starts at $1,800. Adding the RTX 5070 can add another $699 to that price, which is the same cost you’d pay if you bought the GPU separately as an upgrade. Or, if money is tight, you can buy the new machine outright and then add the 5070 whenever you want; that’s the advantage of modularity.
It should be clear that you can get laptops with these types of components for less if you look elsewhere. Before the holidays, I saw machines like those from HP offering a Ryzen AI 7 and an RTX 5070 Ti for under $2,000. But you’re not just buying a laptop here, you’re also buying the broader Framework philosophy. You get the fastest machine you can sell now and you can even upgrade to the next bigger, cheaper machine in a few years without having to buy a new machine.
As I said when I talked about the Ryzen AI 300 updates for Laptop 13 earlier this year, the Framework is well positioned to take advantage of the political situation around the world. When the price of a new laptop can skyrocket, at least you can save money by only replacing what you need.
Summary
I wonder, “should you buy one?” is the best question to ask and answer, given that Framework plows are unique. If you are looking for a powerful laptop where all parts can be replaced or upgraded, there is no serious alternative. The Laptop 16’s natural target group is professionals and enthusiasts who value modularity and durability above all else. These new components give you enough power to play games, run AI models locally and handle any other demanding tasks.
Like everyone else, it depends on your ability to accept the heat, the noise and the somewhat agricultural aesthetic. After all, this machine is not something you will want to upgrade to in a few years, but rather one that you will enjoy for a long time.