Fans of the Framework Modular Laptop who also prefer ChromeOS Windows or Linux will rejoice: Framework and Google are announcing the Chromebook Edition laptop today. It has the same basic hardware design and works with most of the same parts as a regular Framework laptop, but with tweaks that make it a complete Chromebook.
While you can always take a stock Framework laptop and install ChromeOS Flex on it, the stock version of ChromeOS still has a few features that Flex doesn’t, including support for Android apps through Google Play, automatic firmware updates, and some other security and device management features ..
Framework says the Chromebook Edition laptop will be available for pre-order starting today – the Core i5-1240P version will cost $999, though you’ll only need to deposit $100 to reserve the pre-order. Orders start shipping in December. Framework also lists Chromebook Edition laptop-specific parts on its Framework Marketplace parts store.
The Chrome version of the Framework laptop will have the Chromebook logo printed on the lid and a slightly different keyboard layout. It will include a different firmware to fully support all ChromeOS security features. But other than that, it’s exactly the same hardware as a standard Framework laptop. This means users can choose their own ports, upgrade their RAM and storage, and easily replace most laptop components when they break or wear out.
When we reviewed the standard version of the latest Framework laptop earlier this year, we still liked its modular design, keyboard and trackpad, and its performance, but we weren’t impressed with battery life. Switching to ChromeOS on the same hardware is unlikely to change that estimate much. But for people who want or need a high-end Chromebook after Google canceled its own high-end Pixelbook series, the Framework laptop is a unique contender with features you can’t find anywhere else.