Framework, the corporate that’s higher identified for its modular, repairable laptops, simply launched its first desktop laptop. It’s a small desktop PC that punches above its weight.
Probably the most fascinating half is what’s contained in the machine. Framework is likely one of the first firms to make use of AMD’s not too long ago introduced Strix Halo structure, often known as the Ryzen AI Max processors. It’s an all-in-one processing unit that guarantees some severe efficiency.
In different phrases, Framework simply designed a PC for 2 kinds of prospects: individuals in search of a particularly small gaming PC, or individuals who need to run giant language fashions on their very own computer systems.
From the surface, the Framework Desktop seems to be extra like a toy than a severe laptop. It’s a small 4.5L laptop constructed round a mini-ITX mainboard, which makes it smaller than a PlayStation 5 or an Xbox Sequence X.
It has a customizable entrance panel with 21 interchangeable plastic sq. tiles. Once you purchase a Framework Desktop on the corporate’s web site, you possibly can choose tile colours and patterns to create your individual entrance panel.
Along with the same old ports that you simply normally get with a mini-ITX mainboard, you’ll discover Framework’s iconic enlargement playing cards on the backside of the machine — two on the entrance, and two on the again. You’ll be able to choose between a variety of modules, similar to USB-C or USB-A ports, a headphone jack, an SD card reader, or perhaps a storage enlargement card.
The internals are fairly easy: There’s the mainboard with AMD’s accelerated processing unit, a fan, a warmth sink, an influence provide, and two M.2 2280 NVMe SSD slots for storage.
AMD’s Strix Halo APU is soldered to the mainboard. Framework affords two totally different configurations — the AMD Ryzen AI Max 385, and the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395. The highest configuration comes with 16 CPU cores, 40 graphics cores, and 80MB of cache, whereas the entry-level configuration comes with 8 CPU cores, 32 graphics cores and 40MB of cache.
However the place’s the RAM? That’s actually going to be essentially the most divisive design selection since Framework affords 32GB to 128GB of soldered-in RAM. You received’t be capable to purchase extra RAM or improve it down the highway.
“There is one place we did have to step away from PC norms though, which is on memory. To enable the massive 256GB/s memory bandwidth that Ryzen AI Max delivers, the LPDDR5x is soldered,” Framework CEO Nirav Patel wrote on the corporate’s weblog.
“We spent months working with AMD to explore ways around this, but ultimately determined that it wasn’t technically feasible to land modular memory at high throughput with the 256-bit memory bus,” he added.
However, having as a lot as 128GB of unified reminiscence unlocks many potentialities relating to giant language fashions. Llama 3.3 70B can run with none hiccup utilizing Ollama, llama.cpp and different open-source instruments for native AI workloads.
Different open-weight fashions from Mistral, Nous, Hermes or DeepSeek must also run nice. Framework additionally sells the mainboard with out a case. As an example, the corporate has constructed a mini-rack with 4 Framework Desktop mainboards operating in parallel for AI testing.
The bottom mannequin of the Framework Desktop begins at $1,099, whereas the top-end model prices $1,999. Like different Framework computer systems, the corporate guarantees assist for Home windows in addition to widespread Linux distributions similar to Ubuntu, Fedora, or its gaming-focused cousin Bazzite.
Pre-orders are open now, however shipments will solely begin in early Q3 2025.
