I Should Have Invested MORE - Framework 13 Pro Announcement & More

The video kicks off with Linus recounting his long-time involvement with Framework and foreshadowing the ambitious product slate set to drop soon. He and the Framework team reveal four major announcements: a Framework 13 Pro model built around LP CAM 2 memory for faster upgrades, a refreshed Framework 16, an OCulink Expansion Bay to route PCIe signals to external GPUs, and a brand new Framework keyboard. The 13 Pro is highlighted for its CNC’d aluminum chassis, a larger 74 watt hour battery, a 2.8K touchscreen display, and the ability to swap mainboards between the Pro and non-Pro chassis. A key emphasis is on backward and forward compatibility, enabling users to transplant the new Intel Core Ultra Series 3 mainboard into older Framework 13 chassis. The discussion then pivots to practical realities like a new anti-glare matte touchscreen, improved speakers, and the first fully custom panel developed in-house with substantial investment, signaling big ambitions beyond the laptop line. The team dives into the display and battery breakthroughs, where the Pro’s display is tested under daylight while remaining highly legible thanks to a matte, anti-glare polarizer. They demonstrate brightness and contrast, and explain how the panel is a fully custom build from scratch, a significant engineering feat. Battery life is addressed in depth, with real-world estimates showing substantial gains over the previous generation, including Netflix 4K streaming durations that leap from around 8 hours to roughly 20 hours on the Pro. The mainboard swap capability is presented as a core differentiator, allowing users to upgrade the chassis without discarding existing investments, a hallmark of Framework’s repairability ethos. Attention then shifts to the mid-cycle refresh of the Framework 16, including a new Ryzen 5 option and refined input modules that tidy up the aesthetics while maintaining configurable input options. On the software and development side, Unity between open-source firmware and community-driven hardware projects is stressed, with a push to release open surface CAD data and a dev board for custom keyboards. The OCuLink expansion bay is explored in considerable depth, showcasing its potential to drive high-throughput external GPUs and 100 gigabit network cards, all while acknowledging trade-offs like hot-plug support and the dev-kit positioning. A playful segment introduces the Framework keyboard, built to complement the desktop and home-lab use cases, featuring a one-piece CNC aluminum chassis, a new haptic touchpad, and an open-source firmware ecosystem that supports multiple profiles and dongle configurations. The segment wraps with teasing of battery mags and modular expansion ideas that could redefine how Framework devices are upgraded long-term, and a final nod to upcoming products including a Battery Bank reveal at the LTT Store. Throughout, the presenters emphasize Framework’s core values of repairability, upgradeability, and user empowerment, while delivering a high-energy, behind-the-scenes look at design trade-offs, beta testing, and future roadmaps. They acknowledge audience curiosity about printers and TVs as potential future categories, suggesting Framework will evaluate new devices based on consumer frustration, supplier networks, R&D capability, and available funding. The video closes with sponsor segments and a reminder of the original investment motivation, underscoring that the announced features align with the company’s mission to both extend device lifespans and push the boundaries of modular PC design. The overall tone blends technical detail with playful banter, signaling a confident push into new product territories while staying true to Framework’s repairable, upgrade-friendly core.

Topics · technology · consumer_electronics · computer_hardware · linux · open_source · innovation