I don’t believe political talk is a bannable offense. I can’t say I dislike the idea though!
So I don’t think you have to worry about one post.
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https://www.theverge.com/news/619586/framework-laptop-16-update-one-key-but-not-done
Just wanted to check on The Verge as I saw the initial review once it came out. It appears the community is not the only ones wondering, seems tech news has the same issue.
Manifesting the 395 for the 16!!!
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Hiya! 
This would be me. Please be patient while I get up to speed, but I hope to be a community asset soon!
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Amazing! Nice to meet you!
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Yeah, that is amazing.
Actions speak louder than words. I love the laptop, sad to see it completely abandoned in favor of not very well upgradable 2in1, and a non-upgradable desktop.
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So ….. you haven’t seen the beta BIOS release then …
Can’t have been paying much attention.
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AMD mobile processors do not yet support PCIe gen 5; it would currently use too much power for small benefits. Their new desktop processors support gen 5.
Also, the official RAM speed support on mobile processors is limited to DDR5-5600. Desktop processors now go to DDR5-6000.
The conditions are finally ready for a useful upgrade to the FW16; let’s hope Framework is getting it ready!
The biggest thing the system needs is a better GPU. But that’s been held back by two things: lack of a 240W power supply, and a dearth of suitable GPUs in AMD’s product line.
Supplies that can provide 240W of USB-PD power to a single port now exist. The first was a single output Delta model with a fixed cable; it showed up on Digikey and Mouser a few months ago, and people have reported that they work. Ugreen just introduced a 500W multi-port charger that can push a full 240W to a single port, unlike all the 240+ watt chargers previously on the market.
As for the GPUs, AMD’s new 9060 GPUs would make sense; either the full 9060 XT with 32 CUs, or the cut down 9060 with 28 CUs. With a 240W PSU available, it should be possible to target a TGP around 150W, with the remaining 90W powering the rest of the system.
The situation with CPUs is more complicated. For all that they are two generations newer, the AI 340 and AI 350 don’t have much to offer over the 7840HS and 7940HS, unless you actually want to use the NPU. Offering a new mainboard with the AI HX 370 might make sense, but as a higher end option that doesn’t replace the others.
A more ambitious offering would be an AI Max+ 395 (aka Strix Halo) option. That would go against the usual ethos of Framework because it would require soldered-down RAM, but the company is already using it in the Framework Desktop. That would likely require a special cooling module for the ostensible GPU slot, as the total power to that chip can go over 100W.
The other option would be to put off the CPU upgrades until the next generation that is due in early 2026, which might offer a bigger step up from the current choices. But they should offer a new GPU and power supply now.
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Everyone had the announcement announcement email?
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I would be fine with soldered down RAM. The increased performance makes it justifiable to me. However, I don’t know if they would compete with the desktop for that. So it must be something else.
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I agree. If the performance bump is noteworthy then for me(personally), soldered ram is not the end of the world. But a performance bump has to justify it like you mentioned. The other question would be, would FW need to offer 64GB, 128GB etc… versions of the new board(if soldered ram).
and here is what everyone’s favorite AI had to say about it: (first person reference is a computer… go figure)
love this game. here’s my best-guess read on what the new announcement hints at for the Framework 16—ranked by likelihood, with quick rationale.
- Ryzen AI 300 (“Strix Point”) mainboard for FW16
- Framework just shipped Ryzen AI 300 boards for the 13 at the same event where they launched Desktop, so a 16-inch board on the same platform is the straightest path. It fits the FW16’s power envelope and keeps SODIMM RAM/upgradability intact (HX 370 supports DDR5-5600 alongside LPDDR5x).
- Standardized thermals: PTM7958 + revised fan curves
- Framework publicly moved the 16 away from liquid metal to Honeywell PTM7958 and acknowledged heat/noise issues; expect this to be the default on any refreshed 16 mainboard or bundle.
- More “rear-bay” modules before a big GPU jump
- The new Dual M.2 Expansion Bay module (PCIe 4.0 x4 per slot) was pitched for extra SSDs and even “AI accelerators or an eGPU adapter.” That screams “more non-GPU modules first” (e.g., validated M.2 NPU cards, an official eGPU/OCuLink-style adapter) while AMD/NVIDIA laptop dGPU options settle.
- Modest dGPU refresh, not a halo part
- Today’s RX 7700S module is a 100 W TGP design; community docs note the bay can deliver ~210 W, but cooling is the limiter. A sensible next step is a similar-envelope RDNA 3.5-class part (or a slightly thicker 120 W module), not something massive. In other words: an evolutionary AMD dGPU before anything wild.
- Not Strix Halo inside the laptop
- Framework Desktop uses AMD’s Strix Halo (Ryzen AI Max/“+”) in a 4.5 L chassis. Dropping that 16-core APU into FW16 would collide with the new Desktop’s positioning and blow past the FW16 thermal design. So I’d expect Halo to remain desktop-only.
- Input-deck goodies (small but likely)
- The “One Key Module” for electromechanical keyboards was teased for the 16’s Input Module bay; I’d expect it (and other input modules) to ship/expand alongside any 16 refresh.
- Longer-shot: snap-on rear battery
- The Verge directly asked about a snap-on secondary battery for the 16’s expansion bay. CEO said “not today,” but the idea’s clearly on their radar. I’d put this as low-probability near-term, higher-probability later if thermals and mechanicals check out.
why I’m biasing this way (tl;dr):
- Framework explicitly said they’re “nowhere near done” with FW16, but didn’t promise a GPU today. That, plus the Desktop’s Halo focus, points to a CPU-board refresh + ecosystem modules first, dGPU later.
want me to sanity-check TDP/thermals for a hypothetical 120 W module vs current heatsink and fan specs next?
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I got an email saying “We have something big coming” - not meant seriously, but just for a second I was scared they are building a full size desktop ;).
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Fantastic overview - could not agree more! Just one question, what is your take on the maximum amount of VRAM that we can reasonably expect given all technical limitations (including the fact that they seem to not want to talk to Nvidia for some reason).
PS: Companies like Razer (my former favourite laptop company) have notebooks with a very, very similar form factor with a RTX 5090 with 24gb of VRAM). Why would Framework not be able to build this…oh Dear. 
Supposedly it’s because Nvidia is notoriously strict on the form factor they allow their GPU’s to take. For a dGPU for a FW16 to be made it would probably have to be in a form factor that they would not approve.
Plenty of laptops exist with Nvidia GPU’s now days but they probably follow an approved form factor.
AMD on the other hand seems to be more than willing (to an extent?) to allow their GPU’s to be in many form factors.
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I’m thinking Framework Laptop 18.
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My wild guess, new FW16 board with newer CPU( with soldered ram) and a new dGPU option. Again it’s just all speculation and my guess is not any better than anyone else. We will find out soon 
Nvidia is very strict about their hardware. Letting end users have bare bones access to it like the FW16 does is a no-no in their book. This has been discussed several times by several people, there’s not much Framework can do if Nvidia doesn’t want to ease up on their restrictions. I understand people want Nvidia GPUs but it takes two (or more?) to tango here, it’s not FW being too precious or scared or whatever to talk to Nvidia.
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