Standalone FW13/FW16 board as a laptop alternative: can it power a 16" 3:2 slim portable monitor over USB-C (DP Alt Mode)?

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Hello everyone,

I am planning a custom project to build a compact, minimalist alternative to a traditional laptop (a portable cyberdeck setup). My goal is to use either a Framework 13 or a Framework 16 Mainboard inside a custom slim enclosure in standalone mode (without an internal laptop battery, powered directly by a USB-C wall adapter).

To keep the build as portable and clean as possible, I want to pair the board with an ultra-thin external portable monitor, specifically a 16" 3:2 aspect ratio model (like the MagicRaven 16" 2.5K display or similar slim portable monitors). This display will connect via a single USB-C cable utilizing DisplayPort Alt Mode for video and drawing power directly from the Mainboard.

My absolute main question — and the deciding factor for choosing between the FW13 and FW16 board — is whether I can achieve a true single-cable connection between the board and the screen:

  1. Single-Cable Power Pass-Through: If I plug a high-wattage power supply (e.g., 100W for FW13 or 180W for FW16) into one USB-C expansion card to power the standalone Mainboard, will the board safely pass through enough wattage (approx. 10W–15W) out of a second USB-C port to fully power the 16" portable monitor and transmit the video signal simultaneously?

  2. FW13 vs FW16 Power Output Limits: Since this is a laptop replacement, the CPU will face sustained workloads. Does the FW13 Mainboard limit the USB-C power output to peripherals more strictly than the FW16 when running without a battery? I want to avoid the monitor blacking out or resetting during CPU power spikes.

  3. Firmware/EC Behavior & USB-PD: Are there any specific Embedded Controller (EC) limitations in standalone mode that might restrict USB-PD (Power Delivery) output negotiation to external Type-C displays?

  4. Lid Switch / Sleep Behavior: In a standalone enclosure, how do these boards behave regarding the magnetic lid sensor (hall sensor)? Is there any firmware trick required to ensure the external Type-C video output is always active upon boot without entering phantom sleep modes?

  5. Power Button Integration: For a slim custom build, how straightforward is it to map or use an external power button on the FW16 compared to the built-in button found on the FW13 Mainboard?

If anyone has built a similar laptop-alternative using a standalone Framework board and a slim USB-C portable display, I would highly appreciate your feedback and hardware recommendations!

Thanks in advance for your insights!