I Should Have Invested MORE in Framework

Framework, a company dedicated to sustainability and repairability in electronics, is unveiling a suite of new products, four days before their major announcement. The investor, who has been involved with Framework for five years, gets an exclusive early look at these innovations. The first reveal is a **Framework 13 Pro** model. This new iteration boasts a premium chassis made from CNC aluminum, similar to MacBook Pros, offering a more robust feel. It also features a significantly larger 74 watt-hour battery, a 21% increase over the previous model, and upgraded speaker modules. A key highlight is the new 2.8K resolution display, which is finally a touchscreen. This custom-built panel, a million-dollar investment for Framework, achieves a peak brightness of 700 nits and incorporates a novel anti-glare polarizer, making it remarkably usable even in bright daylight. The display's matte finish and retro-reflective properties allow for visibility with the backlight turned off, a feature that impressed the investor. Under the hood, the Framework 13 Pro will offer the Intel Core Ultra Series 3 mainboard, alongside the option for the Ryzen AI 300 series. The Intel version specifically includes LP Cam 2 memory and supports PCIe Gen 5 for the SSD, promising excellent battery life, enhanced GPU performance with Panther Lake, and high-performance RAM with no compromise on upgradability. Notably, while Framework maintains backward and forward compatibility for mainboards within their chassis lines (meaning an old mainboard can go into the Pro chassis and vice-versa), the new Core Ultra 3 mainboard cannot be retrofitted into older, non-Pro Framework 13 models. Framework is also continuing its commitment to Linux users by offering a build of the Framework 13 Pro with Ubuntu, developed in partnership with Canonical to ensure seamless driver and update integration. This official support for Linux is highlighted as a significant advantage for users seeking an alternative to Windows. The investor also gets a glimpse of the **refreshed Framework 16 gaming laptop**. This update focuses on improved input modules, now featuring single-piece haptic trackpads and keyboards for a cleaner aesthetic. A significant internal upgrade is the introduction of a new Ryzen 5 version, aiming to offer a more accessible price point for users who desire a larger screen, trackpad, or dedicated GPU without the premium cost of top-tier CPUs. Translucent bezels, matching Framework's screwdriver, are also a new visual element. The presentation touches on community-developed input modules for the Framework 16, including a MIDI keyboard and an ergonomic keyboard layout, showcasing the platform's extensibility. A major upgrade for the Framework 16 is the **Oculink expansion bay module**. This allows users to connect any GPU to their laptop via a single Oculink 8i connector. The choice of Oculink over Thunderbolt 5 is explained by its native PCIe output, avoiding protocol overhead and offering up to 128 gigabits per second of bi-directional throughput. This provides a significant performance advantage for eGPUs, with Oculink reportedly outperforming Thunderbolt 5 by 16-36% in eGPU scenarios. However, it's positioned as an "Oculink dev kit" due to a lack of hot-plugging capabilities, a feature common in Thunderbolt. The expansion bay utilizes eight PCIe lanes, suitable for high-bandwidth devices like 100 gigabit network cards or full-sized desktop GPUs. While the current iteration supports a single Oculink 8i interface, community developers are already working on boards that support bifurcation into multiple interfaces. Framework is also introducing a new **10 gigabit Ethernet card** as an expansion module, catering to users who find 2.5 gigabit Ethernet insufficient. The most surprising product, however, is a **brand new keyboard**. This venture into peripherals stemmed from Framework's experience with their desktop computer, where they found a lack of suitable keyboard options for living room PCs, home lab servers, or sim rigs. The Framework keyboard features the same mechanical key structure and touchpad architecture as their laptops, ensuring a familiar and high-quality typing experience. It utilizes an ultra-power efficient Nordic NRF54 radio for excellent battery life. A notable feature is the integrated "dongle garage," designed to securely store a USB dongle, which the investor tests with a Logitech mouse receiver, suggesting potential for broader dongle compatibility. The keyboard's firmware is open-sourced, and it can store four profiles. The battery is replaceable, and Framework is releasing the control board as a dev board for community projects, along with open-sourced CAD files for 3D printing accessories. While individual components like the touchpad are not yet sold separately, Framework is open to community demand for such repair options. Regarding future product categories, Framework acknowledges consumer demand for **printers and TVs**. While these are not being launched this year due to space and resource constraints, the company's core values of repairability and upgradability make these categories potentially attractive for future development, driven by consumer frustration with current market offerings. Finally, LTT Store is announcing its own new product, inspired by Framework's ethos: the **Battery Mag battery bank**. This battery bank is designed for end-of-life upgradability, allowing users to replace just the battery pack while keeping the control board and chassis. It also features upgradable firmware and reconfigurability for future battery chemistries, such as sodium-ion. A key innovation is the "hat" system, allowing users to attach different modules, like USB-A breakouts, LED flashlights, or even expansion card hats, to adapt the battery bank's functionality. The disassembly requires only one screw. The video also includes segments promoting the sponsor, METER, an enterprise-level network solutions provider, and a retrospective on the investor's initial investment in Framework, highlighting the company's impressive growth and product development.