Framework Dock Idea

[JPR]

I don’t know if it’s possible but with the 16 having a changeable dedicated GPU. Can a dock that that keys into that and maybe one side of the module slots. Mainly so a dedicated desktop setup with the modularity of FW. IE the GPU module with dock cooling and dedicated power brick IE option to run two power bricks one for the laptop one for the GPU. The GPU still can be based on a design or branch it out for low power mobile and have some just for desktop but require to use the extras of the dock? It would allow better cooling and more power overhead at a stationary setting. Making it a desktop and laptop. Just seeing if it might come down the line or if anyone is looking into this already?

[Christian_Elsner]

I think your post could be improved with some line breaks and a clearer question.
Do you want an eGPU?

[JPR]

A desktop dock. Said dock can key in the GPU module or GPU modules that work only in the dock. Say the current one is limited because power and or cooling. Or even better the future GPU modules can have more overhead in the dock vs just in the laptop.

[Klay_Hart]

So a dock that could accommodate the current (or future) GPU? Like the dock has the expansion bay in it so you could upgrade the dock’s GPU or even use the upcoming double m.2 expansion bay.

My question is do you want it to attach to the FW16 via the expansion bay or by a cable like Thunderbolt?

[amoun]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

There are a lot of topics about docks for the 16" and this is a bit duplicate and vague, hence the initial response…

Have you read up on the other topics that may help you with your ideas. If you find one then maybe move your query there as yet another such topic make it quite laborious to find [dock] ideas and info.

Have you tried looking at some of these? i.e. the results of a search for Dock 16

[Dock 16]

[David_Mellor]

Hub for expansion cards - Creators & Developers - Framework Community — Mozilla Firefox

Hub for expansion cards

Would it be possible for someone to make a hub that we can slot expansion cards into? I know you can buy USB-C/Thunderbolt hubs, but if we brought some more expansion cards (say Micro-SD, 2xUSB-A and a HDMI) and we wanted to use them alongside the ones in the laptop, then if there was a hub that they could be slotted into which would then be connected to a USB-C expansion card on the laptop, that would be great!

Idea: Framework Thunderbolt HUB - General Topics - Framework Community — Mozilla Firefox

Idea: Framework Thunderbolt HUB

@Boris_Kotov I was just formulating this idea tonight. I see I’m not the first one to think of it. Nice drawing. Maybe it would be nice I think it would be good to include a built-in USB-PD port for power input on the opposite side from the cable. Since a common use case would be to have this device serve as a docking station. I think the positioning would be nicer, and it would conserve the other slots. [image]

Project idea: expansion card hub - Creators & Developers / Expansion Card - Framework Community — Mozilla Firefohttps://community.frame.work/t/project-idea-expansion-card-hub/10988x

Project idea: expansion card hub

I don’t know much about hardware design so I could be off base, but I feel like a 4-8 port usb-c hub could be made that could have expansion slots to hold cards and make a configurable USB hub. It’d also be a convenient holder for extra cards. I couldn’t find any posts talking about such an idea, but I could just be bad at searching so let me know if it’s been done already

A expansion card dock - Creators & Developers / Expansion Card - Framework Community — Mozilla Firefox

A expansion card dock

So my idea is pretty simple and straightforward a modified only usbc dock for the framework expansion cards which you could also use on non framework laptops like your tower pc and there could be a usb a version with a usbc expansion card module so it could look like it’s in the laptop like one of the expansions card

How about a dock? - Creators & Developers / Expansion Card - Framework Community — Mozilla Firefox

How about a dock?

I want a Framework-made, as open hardware as possible, dock. I went through a lot of pain to find a dock that works in Linux, and it still doesn’t quite work: https://anarc.at/blog/2023-02-10-usb-c/ Then I realized I just introduced a giant, unknown, proprietary man in the middle in most of my critical paths: display, network, input, everything goes through that obscure, barely functional black box, just so i can plug my Framework laptop on a couple of monitors and a keyboard. How about we t…

Framework Docking Station Mockup - Creators & Developers / Expansion Card - Framework Community — Mozilla Firefox

Framework Docking Station Mockup

[Untitled-1 copy] Another little idea I had. Dimensions are the same as that of the Framework. Designed with the assumption that it will be plugged into the top left slot, but can technically be rotated and plugged in any way. Focused on things the Framework can’t fit and trying to run the SATA drive at at least SATA II speeds so no extraneous USB ports or display outs here. Drives, sd card slot, and 80mm fan are to scale. Forgot to scale the expansion card. Something similar already exi…

Laptop Dock - Framework Laptop 16 - Framework Community — Mozilla Firefox

Laptop Dock

Just tried it with two external monitors. Worked great, no problems. I had both external monitors and the built-in display running, with the display “extended” to all monitors. All were running at native resolution and refresh rate (laptop 2560x1600-165Hz, external monitor 1 at 3840x2160-60Hz, external monitor two at 1920x1200-60Hz). No additional power required for the hub/dock. Again, FW 16, running Windows (latest BIOS and driver package), using the Anker 556 USB 4 hub. The hub was con…

[JPR]

The idea that pops in my head is one that slots to both. I don’t know how well the card buss is outside of short lengths. I am not thinking thunderbolt cable only. I’m more curious if its possible. The idea is to use the dock to enhance or unlock desktop performance for the laptop. IE more power overhead and cooling overhead that can stay on your desk. Pretty much what you would think a dock would do for a laptop. At least one can dream… It is probably more complicated than that in practice.

[JPR]

I will start reading thank you.