APPLETON, Wis. — Framework Computer has unveiled an updated version of its ambitious Laptop 16, introducing significant upgrades to its graphics capabilities and other components while grappling with persistent design challenges. The 2025 model, reviewed by The Verge, features a user-replaceable Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 graphics module, marking a substantial leap in performance for what the company describes as the 'holy grail' of upgradable laptop graphics. Priced starting at $1,799 for the base prebuilt configuration without discrete graphics, the device aims to appeal to enthusiasts seeking modularity in a market dominated by sealed, non-upgradeable hardware.
The original Framework Laptop 16, launched in 2023, was praised for its repairability but criticized for issues like excessive heat, noise, and a creaky build. Framework, a startup founded in 2021 by Nirav Patel, has built its reputation on challenging the throwaway culture of consumer electronics by designing laptops with swappable parts. The new iteration addresses some of these pain points, including new AMD Ryzen AI 300-series processors, Wi-Fi 7 connectivity, a 240W USB-C charger, redesigned cooling systems, and an improved 1080p webcam. All these enhancements are available as separate upgrades for existing owners, underscoring the company's commitment to longevity.
At the heart of the update is the RTX 5070 graphics module, which Framework was initially hesitant to promise but has now delivered. According to The Verge's review, this module provides a 64 percent improvement in Geekbench GPU benchmarks and 34 percent in 3DMark's Time Spy compared to the previous AMD Radeon RX 7700S. In gaming tests, such as Black Myth: Wukong and Cyberpunk 2077, the new card achieved 36 to 50 percent higher average frame rates. When leveraging Nvidia's DLSS 4 technology, the performance gap widened further against the prior model's AMD FSR 3.1.
Reviewers noted playable frame rates in demanding titles like Battlefield 6, maintaining 80 to 90 frames per second at the display's native 2560 x 1600 resolution on high settings with DLSS Quality enabled. Activating frame generation pushed this to 130 to 140 frames per second, surpassing the panel's 165Hz refresh rate. The testing occurred with the laptop positioned on the reviewer's lap, where it grew warm but remained tolerable, though prolonged use in warmer conditions might prove less comfortable.
Thermal management saw notable improvements. Framework redesigned the heatsinks and fans, resulting in lower temperatures during stress tests. In a 30-minute loop of the Black Myth: Wukong benchmark, the new AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 processor averaged 50 degrees Celsius and peaked at 64C, compared to the original Ryzen 9 7940HS's average of 58C and peak of 93C. Fan noise, while still prominent, shifted from a 'jet engine' whine to a more manageable white noise level under load.
The Ryzen AI 7 350 mainboard, an eight-core option, offers modest CPU gains over its predecessor, with improvements ranging from 1.5 percent to 21 percent in benchmarks like Geekbench, Cinebench, and PugetBench for Photoshop. A higher-end 12-core Ryzen AI 7 370 variant is available but untested in this review; separate benchmarks on comparable devices suggest it excels in multi-core tasks, scoring 15 percent higher in Photoshop tests. These mainboards, which include Wi-Fi 7, are priced between $749 and $1,049.
Customization remains a hallmark of the Laptop 16. It supports six swappable expansion cards for three ports per side, with charging possible from any of the rear four USB-C ports. The keyboard and trackpad offer flexible alignment options, including centering or offsetting with a macropad or number pad. The keyboard, available in white or RGB backlighting and various languages, features deep travel and QMK customizability, earning praise as one of the better notebook keyboards. The mechanical trackpad, though slightly small for a 16-inch device, benefits from unique left- or right-alignment possibilities.
However, the modular design's spacers — colorful inserts that fill gaps around the keyboard and trackpad — continue to draw criticism. They often misalign, creating uneven edges felt under the wrists and causing creaks during use. A prototype trackpad with a 3D-printed edge-to-edge surround alleviated these issues, making the laptop feel more cohesive, akin to competitors like the Asus ROG Zephyrus G16. Framework has not yet committed to producing such a surround commercially, though users can 3D-print their own in the interim.
Upgrading from the 2023 model isn't straightforward or inexpensive. The RTX 5070 module costs $699, the new mainboard $749 to $1,049, and the 240W charger $109, totaling $1,557 to $1,857 for the core double-chip upgrade. Additional parts like a second-generation top cover lid for $139 and webcam for $39 add to the expense. Most notably, the display requires replacement for Nvidia G-Sync support, despite identical hardware to the original; the new version costs $279, as firmware updates are not feasible.
Framework CEO Nirav Patel explained the display limitation in an email to The Verge: “Our display vendor hasn’t been able to create a technical solution that would enable firmware updateability on the panel we use in Framework Laptop 16, whether in users’ hands or in our own service centers.” He added, “Unfortunately VRR is not possible with the NVIDIA GPU and 1st gen display.” This forces original owners to spend nearly $1,000 for full GPU compatibility, a point of significant frustration.
Other refinements include a sturdier lid, though it still flexes when pressure is applied to corners. The IPS display maintains its 2560 x 1600 resolution and 165Hz refresh rate but suffers from erratic auto-brightness adjustments that step abruptly rather than fading smoothly. Framework representative Eric Schumacher responded to inquiries about this: “We’ll continue to do post-launch firmware updates to improve user experience and resolve issues found by customers.” Speakers were described as flat until volume is increased, and the webcam, while sharp, appears dark in low light.
Battery life during typical workloads — including multiple Chrome tabs, Slack, and streaming — lasted around six hours, respectable for a discrete graphics laptop but short of a full workday. Reliability posed the most concerning issue, with the review unit experiencing around six Blue Screen of Death crashes in the first two days, plus more over the following week, during tasks like waking from sleep or plugging in power. After a BIOS update to version 3.04, crashes reduced to one in two days, suggesting ongoing improvements similar to those post-launch for the 2023 model.
The DIY Edition reviewed, with the Ryzen AI 7 350, RTX 5070, 16GB RAM, and 1TB SSD, plus the 240W charger, totals $2,524 before extras like additional expansion cards or an RGB macro pad. A comparable prebuilt Performance tier starts at $2,449 with a 512GB SSD and Windows 11 license. In comparisons, it trails sleeker rivals like the Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 (with RTX 5070 Ti) or Razer Blade 16 (RTX 5090) in build quality and power, but stands out for upgradability.
Framework's approach echoes its successes with thinner models like the Laptop 13, which has evolved into a refined product, and strong debuts for the Laptop 12 and Desktop. Yet the Laptop 16 still evokes a 'beta test' feel, with fit and finish lagging behind its $2,500 price point. As the company iterates, potential refinements like a metal trackpad surround could bridge the gap to more premium competitors.
Looking ahead, Framework's modular philosophy positions it uniquely in an industry facing e-waste scrutiny and demands for sustainability. While the 2025 Laptop 16 advances graphics and thermals, its frustrations highlight the trade-offs of user-repairable design. Owners and prospective buyers will watch for firmware updates and hardware tweaks that could solidify its place among high-end gaming laptops.