Framework 13 storage upgrade?

Framework Laptop 13
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So this is not a complaint or an issue, more of a feature request or discussion topic.

I was wondering what the possibility would be of implementing two M.2 storage slots in a future Framework Laptop 13 mainboard.

The Framework Laptop 16 already has a stacked design, where the longer M.2 drive sits on top and a shorter M.2 drive can fit underneath it. I think something similar would be an awesome feature to eventually see in the 13, assuming it is physically and electrically possible within that form factor.

For me, the Framework 13 gets used for a lot of different things: work, gaming, mod development, writing, video editing, general file storage, and so on. Storage space tends to become a constant issue. Of course, there are already other solutions. You can buy a larger single SSD, use an external drive, use cloud storage, or even use a dock with its own M.2 slot for work files. So it is not like there are no options.

That said, being able to install two internal drives would be extremely convenient. It would also fit really well with Framework’s whole philosophy of repairability, modularity, and long-term upgradeability. A second M.2 slot could let users separate OS and data drives, dual-boot more easily, expand storage later without replacing their existing SSD, or keep work and personal storage physically separate.

I am not sure how realistic this is in a 13-inch laptop. There may be space constraints, PCIe lane limitations, heat concerns, battery layout issues, or other design tradeoffs I am not aware of. I think the smallest laptop I have personally seen with two internal drives was a 14-inch ASUS model, so maybe it is just not practical in this size class.

Still, I think it would be a strong selling point for the Framework 13 if it were ever possible. Even if the second slot had to be a shorter 2230 or 2242 drive, I think a lot of users would appreciate having that option.

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I was hoping lpcamm would free up enough space for a second m.2 slot but apparently not.

I wish they’d at least expose the left over pcie lanes so I could mod in my own using the space wasted by the speakers.

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I agree, it’d be nice to have a second 2230/2242 slot. I was hoping the LPCAMM2 would provide more space for a larger cooling solution, but that didn’t happen. Looking at the layout, the space the LPCAMM2 frees up is a bit oddly shaped. I think there would have been enough space to put in the smaller PCIe slot if they moved the keyboard connector.

iirc, they mentioned the new chassis allowed them to create the mainboard from the groundup and it just happened to also be possible to fit in the older FW13. I’d lean towards the backwards compatibility still being one of the main reasons why there’s still big compromises in the layout.

ofc, I’m not familiar with the BOM pricing around their design vs more compact components allowing for a larger fan or extra PCIe slot. The LPCAMM2 speed is limited due to costs, so I’d expect some of the other choices are also around reducing costs. They seem profitable enough to do things like get a custom display panel and more help from Intel on the mainboard design, but I expect they’re still not making product at the quantity required to add these features without adding a few hundred dollars to the mainboard price.