With pre-orders starting today, Google and Framework are developing a modular Chromebook that can be upgraded with different parts over time and will be available in early December.
The Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition has a huge gear logo on the lid and is composed of precisely molded and machined aluminum. It is gray in color. It has a somewhat tapered design, is 15.85 mm (.62 in) thick, and weighs 1.3 kilogram (2.87 lbs). A 1.5mm key-travel keyboard with a 13.5-inch 3:2 display is available, and you may remove it (a screwdriver is included) to gain access to the internal components.
A 12th Gen Intel Core i5-1240P processor with 4 8 CPU cores and 30W continuous performance is available. It features the Titan C security chip, which is responsible for Verified Boot, just like previous ChromeOS devices. A coreboot BIOS and open source Embedded Controller firmware are available from Framework.
The Framework Chromebook will receive ChromeOS upgrades for up to eight years, and ChromeOS Alpha users can access Linux using Crostini, download Android apps from Google Play, and utilize Steam.
At this time, Framework “hasn’t” made any plans for a revised Mainboard that is compatible with ChromeOS. The Auto Update Expiration ( AUE ) date of the device would theoretically be extended past eight years with such an upgrade. The Chromebook Edition’s Mainboard, on the other hand, was created expressly for ChromeOS, making it impossible to officially install another OS on it.
The pre-built configuration has 256GB of NVMe storage and 8GB of DDR4 RAM. This can be upgraded to 64GB and 1TB, respectively, due to the socketed design. There are also storage expansion cards with capacities of 250GB and 1TB that connect on the left and right sides.
That device has Ethernet, USB-C, USB-A, MicroSD, HDMI, and DisplayPort connectors. The color of the screen bezel, which utilizes a magnetic system for simple removal and screen access, is another area of personalization. Hardware privacy switches disable access as requested by cutting power to the cameras and microphones.
Each component contains a QR code that can be scanned to quickly access documentation, repair instructions, replacement or upgrade components, and other details like production information.
Starting today, you may reserve the Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition by paying a $100 deposit that is entirely refundable. First shipments of the device, which has a starting price of $999, started in early December.
The Chromebook Edition’s replacement components and modules are all currently listed on the Marketplace for waitlisting.
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