Framework, the company behind the acclaimed Framework Laptop known for its high degree of repairability and upgradability, is entering the desktop space with its first-ever mini PC. The Framework Desktop is a new mini PC that promises to deliver performance and upgradability that's unrivaled in this kind of form factor.

The Framework Desktop is powered by AMD Ryzen AI Max processors, but it retains the signature upgradability of Framework's designs, including replaceable ports and standard desktop parts.

The Framework Desktop is an upgradable mini PC

Yes, really

Mini PCs are not known for being the most upgradable, though you can usually upgrade the RAM and storage on them. They typically use custom motherboard designs, though, which makes them mostly incompatible with other cases and components.

The Framework Desktop changes this approach by adopting mostly modular components. While the AMD Ryzen AI Max chip is a laptop processor and can't be removed form the motherboard, the motherboard itself uses a standard ini-ITX form factor, meaning you can take it out of the Framework Desktop and put it in a different case. Likewise, you can get another mini-ITX motherboard and put it in the Framework Desktop in the future, which is likely how future upgrades will be handled.

What's more, the ATX power connectors and the fan headers all use standard connectors, so you can replace the power supply and fan easily. It uses a standard 120mm fan for cooling, too. There's also a PCIe 4.0 x4 slot and two M.2 slots for SSDs. The ports are also fairly standard, including USB4, USB Type-A, 5Gbps Ethernet, HDMI, and dual DisplayPort ports.

Lots of power, not a lot of noise

As already mentioned, the Framework Desktop runs on AMD Ryzen AI Max processors, which is designed for laptops first. This is a workstation chip, though, and it can use up to 120W of power inside the Framework Desktop. Framework got input from Noctua and Cooler Master when designing the cooling system for this machine, and thanks to a giant heatsink and 120mm fan, Framework says the computer can ru at up to 120W and remain quiet.

One of the things you can use this PC for is gaming, and according to AMD, you can expect to play games at 1080p and even 1440p at high settings, thanks to all the AMD graphics features, such as Fluid Motion Frames and FSR.

You can run AI on it

One big benefit of using the AMD Ryzen AI Max processors is the extremely fast memory bandwidth of up to 250GB/s, which is why Framework was willing to sacrifice memory upgrades. The soldered memory in these processors should deliver excellent performance for gaming and creative workloads, too. But one big use case Framework wanted to address is AI.

Thanks to the high amount of memory available and the very high memory bandwidth, you can run AI models at "real-time conversation speed" directly on your Framework Desktop when using models that can run locally. What's more, you can link up multiple Framework Desktops over Ethernet to combine their power and take that even further.

What's more, Framework is targetting affordability with this machine. The high-end Framework Desktop with 128GB of memory will cost $1,999, as opposed to $4,800 for a Mac Studio with the same amount of memory.

It's still customizable

Of course, it wouldn't be a Framework PC without so customization options available, and the Framework Desktop doesn't disappoint. You'll be able to choose between black and tralucent side panels, and for the front panel, the company is actually using a tile system that lets you combine tiles of seven different colors, along with some tiles using specific logos, to decorate the front of your PC. The tile system will also be available to the public so they can create their own tiles and 3D print them for further customization.

The front is also home to two expansion slots similar to the ones found in the Framework laptop, meaning you can change the ports available to you at any given time.

Pricing and availability

The Framework Desktop is available for pre-order starting today, with prices starting at $1,099 for a configuration with 32GB of memory and an AMD Ryzen AI Max 385. There's a configuration with a Ryzen AI Max 395+ and 64GB for $1,599, and the 128GB configuration is $1,999, as mentioned above.

Pre-orders are open today, and the Framework Desktop will begin shipping in the third quarter of the year.

The Framework Laptop 12 is the company's first convertible

Framework capped off its "2nd Gen" event with one more major announcement: The Framework Laptop 12. This is the company's first-ever convertible laptop, and it's designed for younger students with durability in mind. It comes in five color options and each one includes TPU-reinforced edges to make the laptop more durable and resistant to drops.

The Framework Laptop 12 comes with a 13th-generation Intel Core processor, and a 12-inch touchscreen that also supports a stylus. In classic Framework fashion, it's highly repairable, and all the necessary repairs can be made with the screwdriver that comes in the box, which is even color-matched to the laptop you choose.

The Framework Laptop 12 will be available to pre-order in April, with a full launch in the middle of the year.

Framework also announced upgraded versions of the Framework Laptop 13 with Ryzen AI 300 processors, along with extra customization options for the Framework Laptop 16.