We were fans of the modular, upgradable Framework laptop when it launched last year, thanks to its pleasing design and user-replaceable RAM, SSD, and ports. Today, Framework developers make it possible to buy the motherboard at the heart of a Framework laptop without buying any other parts of the laptop.
The base board includes a Core i5-1135G7 processor, to which you can add any amount of DDR4 RAM or M.2-based storage. The Core i7-1165G7 configuration will set you back $549, while the top-end Core i7-1185G7 is $799. Like a laptop, the motherboard is powered by a USB-C port, and you can add any additional port modules you like from the Marketplace Framework.
Framework has also released documentation and schematics on GitHub to help people create their own Framework motherboard cases and 3D printable base cases that can be used to weatherproof the board. One is a base shell and the other is a VESA mount option for attaching the board to the back of a monitor or TV.
11th gen Intel laptop processors are still more than respectable when it comes to general office work or light gaming, but it’s still a bit hard to recommend spending that kind of money on an older generation laptop motherboard at this point. But the 3D printed case and VESA mount holder should be useful for current Framework laptop owners who decide to upgrade their motherboards and repurpose old ones somewhere down the road. Framework has yet to announce a 12th generation version of the Framework motherboard, but it will presumably maintain compatibility with existing cases and accessories where possible.
Listing images by Framework