Framework and Google released a Chromebook laptop. This Chromebook is upgradable, as its name suggests. The same company made last year’s Framework laptop.
Chromebooks that users can upgrade are almost unheard of. It’s too early to tell how popular this device will be, but it’s a step in the right direction for laptop repairability.
The user can change several parts of the Framework, but it’s unclear if everything that can be changed on Windows can be changed on the Chromebook. Each part’s QR code leads to a page where it can be purchased.
The Chromebook Edition’s expansion card system excites me the most. You can choose which ports to put where. It’s my favourite part of the Framework model, which you can’t do on Windows or Chrome OS. The press release lists USB-C, USB-A, microSD, HDMI, DisplayPort, Ethernet, high-speed storage “and more.” Chromebooks with HDMI are useful.
Modular gadgets excel at customization. Framework will offer “Expansion Cards” for this Chromebook. These Expansion Cards add ports like:
- USB-C
- USB-A
- microSD
- HDMI
- DisplayPort
- Ethernet
- high-speed storage
Framework says it will offer more, but didn’t elaborate.
Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition lets you choose RAM and storage in addition to expansion cards. Prebuilt configurations come with 8GB of DDR4 RAM and 256GB of NVMe storage, but you may upgrade to 64GB and 1TB.
Original laptop battery life was a complaint. Furthermore Framework says it’s optimised battery life for its most energy-efficient model ever.
Privacy and transparency are also priorities. According to Framework, the laptop is able to cut power from the camera and microphones to disable access. Each part of the computer also has a QR code stuck to it that will provide access to things like documentation, repair guides, replacement and upgrade parts, and insight into design and manufacturing data. Last, but not least, it looks like the device will have a Titan C security chip that will get automatic updates for eight years.
If a modular Chromebook sounds like something that’s right up your alley, the Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition will go on pre-order starting today for $999. Moreover, unfortunately, pre-orders will only be available to people in the US and Canada for now, with shipments expected to go out in early December.
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