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Summary
- Framework Laptop 16 Gen 2 offers user‑swappable GPUs, including an Nvidia RTX 5070, which you can swap in and out in two minutes.
- Four of six expansion slots now output video (up from three), and it uses AMD Strix Point processors.
- The modular RTX 5070 costs $700 vs $549 for a desktop card, but the laptop swapability is worth it.
Gaming laptops are in a pretty rough spot. For years, they’ve been plagued by upgradability issues, unlike gaming PCs, which can swap out parts as the system requirements grow. And then gaming handhelds came out, which didn’t do a whole lot for the “can’t upgrade it” thing, but it did let you game wherever you like, which was a huge plus. It’s at the point where some people recommend you not buy a gaming laptop in 2025.
However, one company is finally making a gaming laptop that you can swap both AMD and Nvidia GPUs. And if this sounds like a Framework thing to you, then you’re right on the money.
The second generation of Framework Laptop 16 is releasing in November, and Nvidia is coming along for the ride
As reported by The Verge, Framework is getting ready to release the second version of the Framework Laptop 16. This will feature a new motherboard with AMD Strix Point processors, alongside an upgrade that allows four of its six expansion card slots to output video, up from three. Framework hopes to get this new take on the Laptop 16 out the door in November.
However, that’s not the most exciting news. The biggest highlight is the ability to swap out the GPU with an Nvidia RTX 5070. The Verge claims you can swap out the GPU in less than two minutes with a little practice, and includes a video to prove it. More importantly, this means you can swap between an AMD and an Nvidia laptop GPU whenever you like. Sounds like a huge step forward to me.
The Verge grilled Framework on how difficult it was to get Nvidia’s blessings for the Framework Laptop 16, and it turns out it wasn’t as tricky as you may expect. As Framework’s CEO Nirav Pate explains:
“They saw the success of the company, and it was clear we were an up-and-coming startup worth working with. We were able to clear that hurdle just through the success of the product.”
Nirav Pate went on to explain that the company evaded prior questions about getting Nvidia on board with Framework, as it wanted to absolutely, positively ensure that it would happen. Fortunately, the graphics giant didn’t put up as many hurdles as Framework expected, and the dream eventually became a reality.
If you want to tinker with the second-gen Framework Laptop 16, you can play around with the configurations on the pre-order page. Adding the 5070 will set you back a cool $700, which is quite a bit more than the desktop version’s $549 MSRP. However, you are paying extra for the ability to swap out the GPU in and out of your laptop freely, and personally, I think it’s worth it.
