Introducing the Framework Laptop 16

Hi,

I know it’s been a while since the laptop was revealed, but after watching the video I wanted to share my thoughts as a consumer who was genuinely looking forward to this model especially since I’m already very happy with my new 13".

My expectation for the 16" was simple: maybe a refreshed design (though the current one is fine), but above all a much more powerful version of my 13" , something I could confidently use for gaming and heavier workloads.

The video started off promising, but the moment the GPU specs were shown, it felt like a huge letdown. Anyone following GPU reviews knows that 8 GB of VRAM is a major limitation in 2025. At the very least, I expected 12 GB. Even better, why not give us options for an RTX 5080 or the latest AMD GPUs? That would’ve made the 16" stand out.

What I liked:

  • Charging via the back port

  • USB‑C charger support

  • Improved thermals

  • More rigid build

What disappointed me:

  • CPU could have been more exciting , a Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 is decent, but something like an X3D variant would have been a standout. For instance:

    • The Ryzen 9 9955HX3D (16 cores, 128 MB 3D V‑Cache) and 9850HX are part of AMD’s new “Fire Range” series, offering significant performance boosts in gaming and creative workloads

    • In ultra-thin laptops, AMD’s Ryzen AI Max+ 395 (Strix Halo), featuring up to 16 Zen 5 cores, RDNA 3.5 graphics, and high AI performance, would’ve been a compelling choice

  • GPU choice felt underwhelming, not terrible, but definitely not impressive either.

Overall, the 16" feels like a missed opportunity. With a more exciting CPU option like the 9955HX3D or AI Max+ 395, it could’ve been a real game-changer.