Framework Laptop 16 (2023)
Framework Laptop 16 (2023)
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GENERAL USE: Very Good—8.0/10
GAMING/AI: Fair—6.8/10
ENG/DESIGN: Very Good—8.1/10
SOFTWARE DEV: Very Good—8.0/10
CONTENT CREATION: Very Good—8.1/10
PORTABILITY: Good—7.3/10
BATTERY: Good—7.8/10
OVERALL SCREEN QUALITY: Very Good—8.3/10
OVERALL PERFORMANCE: Very Good—8.0/10
SIZE: 16"
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) is positioned at an upper midrange price and is known for repairability and customization options. It has a moderate amount of storage and memory, powered by a capable AMD Ryzen processor with integrated Radeon graphics. The battery life is suitable for typical use, and the laptop offers a 16-inch IPS display with a high refresh rate, making it good for both general and engineering applications, though it may only provide fair performance for 3D and machine learning tasks. It is relatively thin and light, enhancing portability, and it includes modern ports like USB4 and USB-C with charging support. The keyboard, webcam, and speakers are rated very good or best, with a high-quality build and effective heat management. Suitable for a variety of tasks, it may not be optimal for intensive gaming despite having hardware ray tracing support. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Evaluation
Pros
- Repairable and customizable
- Good battery life
- Backlit keyboard with number pad
- Highly portable
- Robust build quality
Cons
- No touchscreen
- Moderate 3D performance
- Average engineering performance
- No facial recognition
Ratings by Category
Content Creation:4.5
PerfectRec’s Content Creation Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for photo editing, and video editing work.
In addition to a strong emphasis on overall performance, this score also places very high importance on screen quality. Heat management, storage, keyboard and speaker quality are also incorporated, with fan noise rounding out this score.
General Use Screen Quality:4.5
The general use screen score is based on the screen technology, contrast ratio, resolution, brightness, color gamut and color accuracy. This score does not take into account specialized display features for specific use cases, such as high refresh rate for gaming.
General Use:4.4
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) boasts a strong processor and ample RAM for efficient multitasking, paired with a high-quality IPS screen, making it suitable for varied applications in general use. While offering great portability for its screen size and a solid battery life, it also features a durable build and the advantage of easy repairs and upgrades, enhancing its long-term usability.
Engineering & Design:4.4
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) is equipped with a high-performance AMD Ryzen 7 processor and Radeon GPU, complemented by ample RAM, making it well-suited for demanding engineering software and design work that requires significant processing power. Additionally, the laptop features a quality IPS display with high resolution and color accuracy, offering a crisp, vibrant visual experience necessary for meticulous design tasks.
Software Development:4.4
PerfectRec’s Software Development Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for software development.
In addition to a strong emphasis on overall performance, this score also places very high importance on screen quality. Heat management, storage, keyboard and speaker quality are also incorporated, with fan noise rounding out this score.
Build Quality:4.4
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, chassis rigidity, and overall reliability.
Our assessment of build quality includes many details that are difficult to quantify.
Our laptop experts use their best judgment to produce the final score.
Keyboard Quality:4.4
The Keyboard Quality score is based on the PerfectRec experts’ assessment of tactile feedback, typing comfort, keyboard reliability and typing noise.
Battery Life:4.3
PerfectRec’s Battery Life rating is based on hours of battery life in typical usage scenarios.
Portability:4.2
PerfectRec’s portability rating takes into account the volume and thickness of the laptop as well as its weight.
Operating Noise:4.2
PerfectRec’s Operating Noise Score is based on fan noise measurements. Laptops with a fanless design, such as Macbooks, receive the maximum score.
Gaming & AI:3.8
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) has a fair performance for gaming and 3D tasks due to its AMD Radeon 780M GPU, which is competent but not top-of-the-line for intensive graphics demands, and a screen with a 165Hz refresh rate which is suitable for smooth visuals. However, the IPS display, despite offering good color accuracy and wide view angles, may not match the response times of displays dedicated to gaming laptops.
Full Specs
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
| Price | $1,699 | ||
Release Date | July 1, 2023 | ||
Overall Dimensions | 14'' x 10.6'' x 0.71'' | ||
Weight | 4.63 lbs | ||
Width | 14.04" | ||
Depth | 10.63" | ||
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS | ||
RAM | 16 GB | ||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | ||
RAM Slots | 2 | ||
Storage | 512 GB | ||
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | 9 Hours | ||
Battery Capacity | 85 Wh | ||
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | 16" | ||
Display Technology | IPS | ||
Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | ||
Refresh Rate | 165Hz | ||
Display Brightness | 490 nits | ||
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score  | 8/10 | ||
Portability Score | 7.4/10 | ||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | ||
Premium Business Laptop | No | ||
Fan Noise Score | 7.5/10 | ||
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | 8/10 | ||
Speaker Quality Score | 9.6/10 | ||
Webcam | 1080p | ||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | ||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | ||
Number Pad | Yes | ||
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | 2 | ||
USB-C ports | 2 | ||
USB-C Charging | Yes | ||
Display Outputs | 2 | ||
Thunderbolt Ports | 0 | ||
Framework Laptop 16 (2023)
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Allen Ngo | January 2024
"The trend towards thinner and lighter laptops is made possible by fusing more and more components onto the mainboard. The main drawback to this approach is that it limits repairability as even a small fault may require replacing entire boards. Framework is one of the only manufacturers looking the other way in an attempt to improve end-user customization and servicing. There's no question that the Laptop 16 is more user-friendly to service than any alternative, but this lucrative feature comes at the cost of size and weight as individual components must be easily replaceable."
Comparison charts
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