Framework is on a mission to fix the throwaway laptop problem. Founded by former Apple and Oculus engineer Nirav Patel, the company makes laptops where virtually every component can be replaced, upgraded, or swapped by the user.
The Framework Laptop 16 and Framework Laptop 13 feature a modular design that’s unlike anything from major manufacturers. The ports are swappable modules — you can choose exactly which ports you want and change them anytime. Need more USB-C ports today and an HDMI port tomorrow? Just pop out one module and snap in another. Memory, storage, battery, screen, keyboard, and even the mainboard can be replaced.
This isn’t just a gimmick. Framework sells replacement parts at fair prices through its marketplace, and the company publishes detailed repair guides. When a new processor generation launches, you can buy just the mainboard and upgrade your existing laptop instead of buying a whole new machine. Old mainboards can be repurposed as standalone single-board computers using a special case.
The Framework Laptop 16 takes modularity further with a customizable input deck and an expansion bay that can accept a dedicated GPU module. This means a thin laptop can also serve as a gaming or workstation machine.
Framework has built a passionate community of users who share mods, 3D-printed accessories, and custom expansion cards. The company’s commitment to open-source is real — schematics, CAD files, and firmware are publicly available. In an industry dominated by sealed, glued-together devices designed to be replaced every few years, Framework is a refreshing outlier that proves consumer electronics don’t have to be disposable.
