Google has collaborated with a third-party company Framework to create a customizable and upgradeable Chromebook (opens in new tab) Laptop
As a company, framework experts Do-it-yourself (DIY) is developing laptops that people can upgrade themselves All it takes is a screwdriver, parts that the company supplies, and a little patience. now with Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition (opens in new tab)Customizable laptops have entered a new frontier as repairability takes a strong hold in the tech industry
Customized experience
Be aware that not everything in Framework Chromebook is customizable
Starting on the more static side, the laptop features a 13.5-inch high-resolution display (2256×1504 pixels) and a 1.5mm keyboard housed in a chassis made partly from recycled materials. Under the hood, it’s powered by a 12th Gen Intel Core i5-1240p CPU with 12 individual cores and a 55Wh battery that can run for up to 10 hours on a single charge.
As you’d expect, the framework runs on Chromebook ChromeOS, which technically outperforms previous company offerings. But a company representative told us, those older models are used ChromeOS Flex (opens in new tab) Whereas this new device has the full ChromeOS experience. This gives the laptop the ability to download Android apps from the Google Play Store, something the Flex models couldn’t do. Users can also run Linux apps if they develop software and play games thanks to Steam on Chrome OS Alpha
What can be customized are ports, RAM and storage. According to the company, for the expansion card system you can pick the ports you want and in which direction you want them. Supported inputs include USB-A, USB-C, MicroSD, HDMI, and Ethernet, just to name a few. As for RAM and storage, the Chromebook has 8GB of DDR4 and 256GB of space. They can be upgraded up to a maximum of 64GB DDR4 and 1TB of storage Also, you can increase the storage by another terabyte with the expansion card located on the bottom of the laptop.
Privacy and Availability
For privacy, the Framework Chromebook has multiple switches around its body that turn off power to the camera and microphone when not in use. Google’s own Titan C (opens in new tab) Security chip is present to protect you from phishing attempts and hacking. Because of this chip, Chromebooks will receive continuous updates from Google until June 2030.
The same representative told us that the Titan C cannot be removed because it is “an integral part of the electrical system.” However, you can put the laptop in “developer mode” which allows you to download customized firmware and software outside of Google.
The Framework Laptop Chromebook version is currently available (opens in new tab) Up for pre-order with a $999 price tag, but only in the US and Canada. You don’t have to pay the full price tag upfront because “only a fully-refundable $100 deposit” is required at the time of pre-order. You will pay the remaining amount when the laptop starts shipping in early December.
As for a global rollout, it doesn’t appear to be planned yet, but the same representative hinted at a possible announcement.
Overall, it’s good to see more and more companies adopting customizable or repairable devices This new attitude will go a long way towards reducing e-waste and saving money. Arguably one of the more robust repair programs comes from Samsung who have partnered with iFixit for parts. We highly recommend checking out TechRadar’s coverage That’s a story to see where the industry is potentially going.
