There’s something about the Pro Chassis upgrade I’ve been wondering about, but I haven’t seen addressed anywhere. I understand that the new 74Wh battery is not backwards compatible, and requires additionally upgrading the bottom cover, speakers, and input cover (or maybe just the trackpad? I’m not sure about trackpad and input cover intercompatibility). However, what I haven’t seen addressed is forwards compatibility. Could I use an older 55Wh or 61Wh battery in the Pro Chassis? I understand this isn’t likely to be a common consideration, but I’m wondering if, when I upgrade to a Pro model / chassis, whether it would be worthwhile to hold on to my original battery as a backup, or whether I should just recycle it.
Yes (bundle required). To use the CNC-machined Bottom Cover, you must use the Framework Laptop 13 Pro Bottom Cover Upgrade Kit, which includes new Speakers, Battery, and Input Cover Kit.
It sounds to me like that you need the new speakers, and battery to use the new Bottom Cover.
I believe this has also been answered by Framework staff in the compatibility thread.
No, they say older batteries are not compatible in the Pro Chassis.
I don’t recall them detailing why. I’d guess that perhaps the larger battery required shifting the screw mounting holes. Once 13 Pro’s start shipping certainly someone is bound to check exactly why they aren’t compatible, if FW doesn’t say exactly why before that point.
~edit~
Sources:
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I’m planing to buy the the upgraded chassi for my Framework, If I remember I would be happy to check where things go wrong.
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Thanks for the links. I had missed that thread, and it didn’t come up when I tried to search for it.
That seems pretty definitive. It’s a bit disappointing, as it reduces options, but I do understand it.
I couldn’t really see a reason why it wouldn’t work from just the images (the screw spots look to be in basically the same spot), so I assume the issue has more to do with the changed shape at the bottom causing the attachment to be loose down there (i.e. the battery could swing out on the bottom).
Hmm, if it turns out to not be something deal-breaking like the screw holes, then someone might create a 3D-printed bracket to allow it.
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