Any 3rd party Framework products from an established company other than Cooler Master?

[Techie_Zeddie]

As subject states. Any 3rd party Framework-specific accessories, parts, expansion slots, etc besides Cooler Master’s 13" motherboard case?

I understand Framework is relatively new, but we’re on the 3rd generation now. I was very happy to see Cooler Master’s case, but I was hoping to see more stuff. More expansion bay stuff, other cases, display options, etc. A lot of people want different things for their Framework laptop and Framework can’t accommodate them all due to their small size and budget, and there will be so many SKUs, but a display maker such as LG or Samsung can make them (or even whoever Framework contracts out to make their existing ones) and sell them directly.

Right now the only way to fill this absence is the maker space. Would that be enough?

Also, the Framework market place was supposed to be opened for makers to sell their custom stuff for the laptops. As far as I know, it’s still only Framework wares in the market, nothing from 3rd parties.

I was really hoping to see an ecosystem around the Framework 13 form factor (and eventually the 16 as well).

[MJ1]

@Techie_Zeddie

but a display maker such as LG or Samsung can make them (or even whoever Framework contracts out to make their existing ones) and sell them directly.

The community of Framework users is too small currently for the likes of LG or Samsung to care. And custom displays are extremely expensive to have made. I think the Framework-13 just uses a display that was already available. Even with the Framework-16, the display was based on an existing screen. Framework mentions having it modified to improve the specs.

@SquidWorks

For the display, we wanted to ensure it was excellent for gaming, content creation, and general productivity, while also being thin, light, power efficient, and cost effective. There was no existing panel that satisfied all of these needs, so we instead developed a semi-custom LCD display module with BOE, the same panel maker we use for the Framework Laptop 13. The “semi” part is that we customized the backlight for higher brightness and liquid crystal chemistry for better contrast and color gamut while leveraging an existing TFT mask set to avoid needing to pay a few million dollars in tooling fees.

There are a few alternate displays that you can use in the Framework-13. It’s just that no one has found one that is really better than Framework’s choice. The screen ratio isn’t as popular, so the choices are limited. For the Framework-16, I’m sure once people get into it, they’ll find alternate displays there too.

Unofficial Guide to Aftermarket LCD Replacement

KEY POINTS: The Framework Laptop’s LCD panel is replaceable with an aftermarket part aside from the official Display Kit in the Marketplace. The Display Kit includes the panel, aluminum brackets and EDP cable. In cases where only the panel is damaged, there is still a possibility of repair. The panel being used by Framework is manufactured by BOE with a model number NE135FBM-N41. The same panel is being used in the Acer Swift 3 and Acer Chromebook CP713-2W. Repair using the Display Kit is easi…

[Jacob_Padgett]

@Techie_Zeddie

Any 3rd party Framework-specific accessories, parts, expansion slots, etc besides Cooler Master’s 13" motherboard case?

DBrand makes skins cut specifically for the Framework 13, if that counts as an accessory.

Framework Skins & Wraps » dbrand

[MJ1]

There are custom keyboard letter decals that are supposed to be exactly sized for Framework.

Keycap stickers for the clearcap options

I haven’t used them myself, but keyshorts.com has custom keyboard stickers with many options. Background color, text color, custom size & shape to fit keys exactly, multilingual sets. That’s what I’d go for. They do list Framework as a brand they support for custom shaped stickers. Custom Keyboard Stickers Builder | Keyshorts This is also a way to get RGB in other languages. Get a clear keyboard and buy exactly sized stickers in your language. Note that all the options actually use QMK firm…

[junaruga]

I think this link may be helpful for you.

List of company or individually driven projects

This thread is a wiki. Anyone who has the permission to edit the wiki can edit the first comment. Decoration Framework Laptop skins & wraps Dbrand - Framework Skins & Wraps » dbrand (Framework Laptop 13 and 16) Slickwraps - Framework Laptop 13 Skins, Wraps & Covers – Slickwraps Armorsuit - Armorsuit MilitaryShield Vinyl Skin Wrap Film for Framework Laptop 13 Sleeve cases CushCase (UK) - Framework Laptop 13 Sleeve Cases - Made in UK | CushCase Kancha (DE) - Framework Laptop 13 Sleeve Cases…

[Fraoch]

And Framework’s DDR5 RAM is made for them by ADATA.

@TheTwistgibber

One core challenge we aimed to solve for memory on the Framework Laptop 16 was being able to offer the same modules for pre-built systems, DIY Edition, and the Framework Marketplace. Historically, we needed to source separate “OEM” modules from Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron for use in our factory, and “Retail” modules from Crucial to offer in DIY Edition and the Marketplace. Instead, we worked with memory maker ADATA to create custom-label modules that we can use across all areas. Currently, we’re leveraging SK Hynix DDR5-5600 memory chips for these modules, but may use other chips that meet the performance bar in the future as well.

When we first visited ADATA’s headquarters in Taipei, they offered to give us a tour of their manufacturing line. We assumed they meant we could take a trip out to a factory in the future, but instead, they took us to another floor of the same building and showed us one of the most impressive, compact manufacturing environments we’ve seen. They have several highly-automated SMT (surface-mount technology) lines pumping out large quantities of memory and storage modules in a normal-looking office tower! Conveniently, this means we’re making our custom modules a short distance away from our laptop manufacturing lines that are also in Taiwan, enabling efficient logistics and better control over supply.

Framework Laptop 16 has two DDR5 SO-DIMM sockets. These support up to 32GB each, enabling 64GB of DDR5-5600 memory, and we’ll be offering 8GB, 16GB, and 32GB modules. This matches what we have on the**Framework Laptop 13 (AMD Ryzen 7040 Series)**, and we’re bringing our new branded memory modules there too.

[Techie_Zeddie]

Great responses, everyone. Good to have some avenues to research on.

I totally understand the use base of Framework laptops isn’t that large. Hopefully it will get big enough for it to be a viable ecosystem.

For now, I think I’ll be happy with what we currently have. Also hope to see some of the community projects become something anyone can just purchase. I’m personally in love with the idea of a handheld gaming machine using a upcycled Framework motherboard. Hope to see a FW16 version since that’s the laptop I purchased (team batch 5 here!). Would love to turn it into a handheld gaming system when I inevitably upgrade the laptop.

[Adrian_Joachim]

@Techie_Zeddie

Would love to turn it into a handheld gaming system when I inevitably upgrade the laptop.

Not sure if I’d call that a handheld anymore but it would certainly be a sight to see.

Also very curious if there will be any 3rd party expansion bay modules, since they pre sold so many 16s there may be a market for it. I could see some chnesium re-manufactured nvidia gpu modules since there seems to be quite a demand for nvidia and the re-manufacturers don’t really tend to follow anyones rules.

[Techie_Zeddie]

@Adrian_Joachim

Not sure if I’d call that a handheld anymore but it would certainly be a sight to see.

How much bigger is the 16 motherboard compared to the 13?

[Adrian_Joachim]

@Techie_Zeddie

How much bigger is the 16 motherboard compared to the 13?

It’s at least 6cm (since the port positions relative to the side is fixed) wider and probably a lot taller.