The framework desktop is impressive for what it offers: an impressively compact machine, no proprietary parts (that I know of, I didn’t sweat looking for each item), packing performance for AI, general computing and gaming.
The smallest case that I have seen without breaking the bank for a setup with few compromises is Cooler Master NR200 sitting at 18.5L, and the idea of having a 4.5L jack of all trades, power efficient powerhouse is very appealing.
Except… There’s no upgrade prospects. Will Framework keep on releasing newer and newer stuff for desktop line in the coming years? This is likely the case, but I want to see. Knowing there’s stuff coming soon, would definitely help me open my wallet.
Basically, I just wanna know what’s the road map for the Framework Desktop line.
Well the APU and ram is soldered on the board, so not much possibility to upgrade. There is some rumors about next generation of the APU.
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Well it’s just an Itx board in a small pc case, so even if FW never releases another desktop board, you can always swap in a standard ITX motherboard when this one goes obsolete.
Framework doesn’t release roadmaps, period. You can make a judgement call on if that disquiets you or not but there it is.
so far, framework has released upgraded motherboards for every product released except the Framework Chromebook that got discontinued after the initial Intel 12th gen model.
With the new partnership between Intel and Nvidia as far as making Strix Halo style APUs in a few years, there is a ton of motivation to make higher power yet small form factor systems that can make full use of what such chips can do with high power limits.
It seems AMD has a hit on its hands with the AI Max 385 / 395 and that really does seem to be now suddenly in the cards for Intel/Nvidia by 2028 or so, giving AMD only maybe 1, or possibly 2 more generations of mega-APU before they have serious competition from Intel/Nvidia.
It would make sense then for mini-ITX to be the form factor for such APUs and thus seems probable that in the future there may be not only a new AMD option such as Medusa Halo mentioned above, but possibly even Intel/Nvidia parts in the future.
I still have an old PC from 2013 around that I’ve made selective upgrades to over the years and I could see a possible future where Framework keeps making new parts available for the Desktop with new USB modules, new ITX boards, and so on. It’s a very promising future, but it might be a few years before we see such upgrades available.
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There’s a lot suddenly going on in the land of the chip. I understand Intel are talking to Apple about the latter investing in the former, although I’m not so sure the x86 roadmap would excite Apple
And Qualcomm are talking to Google about their new chip and Chrome/Android
I would think Framework is in a lucky position of being happy with their current line up and the many options it has ahead of it. That said, with the continuing flood of investments in AI I think trying to forecast a road map ahead for Framework has become more complex
Apple was discussing investing in Intel Foundry, not x86 development. The foundry they would have use for.
My read is that are in discussions now with three meetings already having taken place. Details of what they may (or may not) invest in are not yet public
Tim Cook was talking to Jim Cramer and mentioned that they’d love to see more competition in the foundry space and for Intel to come back.
Foundry is also the only logical thing Apple could be interested in. Intel sold Apple their wireless division. Intel sold SK Hynix their SSD division. x86 holds no interest for Apple after the switch to the M-Series. There isn’t anything left but foundry.
There’s patents. Long, long ago we saw Google purchase Motorola just for access to the patents. Once they owned Motorola, they gave themself lifetime permission to the massive array of cell phone patents that Motorola had so Google could develop their own phones without any patent problems, then Google dumped Motorola off on Lenovo, retaining the rights to all the patents.
While Intel’s consumer products and such are not valuable to Apple, Intel has something upwards of 200,000 technology patents world-wide, and investment in Intel could be part of a deal that gives Apple greater access to Intel’s vast array of technology patents.
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It’s a fair point. I don’t think that is what Apple is interested in but a fair point nonetheless.
And with not even intel wanting to use their foundry for both cost an performance reasons I am sure apple is only interested if they get an extremely good deal or maybe to cover part of the “made in usa” angle.
Unfortunately, I think you may be right.