Supported displays with USB 3.2

Framework Laptop 12
1

Like many others here, I was a disappointed to see that the new Framework Laptop 12 doesn’t support Thunderbolt. I get that the primary target might be students or younger users, and I can somewhat understand the decision, but it’s still a bummer on my end.

I currently use a Thunderbolt dock connected to an Apple Studio Display, along with a bunch of accessories like a mouse, Ethernet adapter, and so on. In theory, I could remove the Thunderbolt hub and connect just the Studio Display directly over USB-C, but I know that USB 3.2 has bandwidth and probably compatibility limitations.

So my question is:
Will the Framework Laptop 12 be able to drive the Studio Display at full 5K resolution over USB-C?

And if so, would it be too much to also use the display’s built-in USB hub, for example, plugging in an Ethernet adapter and making use of the webcam and speakers on the display?

Ideally, I’d love to keep a one-cable setup at my desk, just like I currently do with my MacBook Pro. Would that still be possible with the Framework Laptop 12?

2

Framework Laptop 12 has DisplayPort output on all four slots. Intel publishes detailed display resolution specs for the processor: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/products/sku/232143/intel-core-i51334u-processor-12m-cache-up-to-4-60-ghz/specifications.html

5 Likes
3

Wouldn’t it make sense to offer the Framework 12 display as an external USB-C display too?

For the stuff I’m doing I usually don’t need much CPU power. But traveling with an additional USB-C display has become a must have for me lately.

4

That would be a dream, I think. Something tells me the average USB-C port doesn’t have the circuitry to be a display in. But yes, I’d love it as well.