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Exclusive: Nirav Patel reveals why Framework 2nd Gen desktop PC and laptops are sustainable game-changers for business
Who better to quiz Framework’s CEO on the sustainability of its 2nd Gen products than Lee Grant, a man who runs a computer repair shop?
An enthusiastic crowd greeted the new Framework range at its recent “2nd Gen” event. That isn’t unusual for a tech launch, but Framework’s ethos of repairability, upgradeability and customisation always make CEO Nirav Patel’s much-anticipated announcements anything but usual.
Here, we had a triple treat: an updated version of the Laptop 13, an all-new Framework Desktop PC and 12in 2-in-1.
The new Laptop 13 features AMD’s latest Ryzen AI 3000 series processors while the Framework Desktop is powered by AMD’s 16-core Ryzen AI Max to monster through high-performance and AI tasks. And you can add up to 128GB of RAM. However, headline-grabbing components are only part of the magic that Framework offers business buyers.
Who better than Nirav Patel, direct from the launch, to tell TechFinitive why his company’s innovative approach can deliver a powerful combination of performance, flexibility, sustainability and cost-effectiveness for all businesses, large and small.
How do Framework laptops allow businesses to reduce downtime and optimise IT costs while catering to the diverse needs of their users?
“Our product philosophy is ultimately about longevity and ownership. By enabling access to replacement parts and upgrades and by designing our products to be simple to open and repair, we’ve enabled our business customers to manage their hardware fleet at a deeper level and resolve hardware issues in-house. These are sometimes behaviours that larger enterprises are able to engage in with laptops, but we’ve brought it to the smallest businesses too.”
In what ways does the modular design of Framework laptops contribute to a company’s sustainability goals?
“The single best way to reduce the environmental impact of computers is to make them last longer. We do that by designing our products to be simple to repair and upgrade at module level. For example, instead of a worn-out battery or screen driving a device replacement, the module can be swapped within a few minutes to a new one. Upgradeability allows further longevity too. We enable memory and storage upgrades, and unique in the laptop space, processor upgrades too through Mainboard replacement.”
Is Framework the sustainable laptop choice?
At the Framework 2nd Gen launch event, Nirav held the brand new Framework Laptop 13 aloft, saying:
“We’re probably the only company that can announce a product that looks the same four years in a row and get cheers every time.”
This refreshingly honest declaration underlines the complex environmental issues that stand between Framework and its mission: to end the disposability of consumer electronics.
The new Laptop 13 is the same chassis, but the mainboard, CPU, Wi-Fi and many other components are new. However, you can easily upgrade older Laptop 13’s with new parts that you can buy directly from Framework. This is a unique proposition within the whole of the technology sector.
Framework has built an eco-friendly eco-system. It produces quality products backed by a marketplace that monetises spare parts and upgrades while supporting repair at scale. This approach not only reduces electronic waste but also aligns with the growing demand for more environmentally responsible technology solutions. Simply, Framework can improve the environmental footprint of your business.
Think about how many broken laptops exist inside your organisation or semi-working units which are discarded as they’re impossible to fix. Framework’s ‘built-for-repair’ ethos removes the fixing jeopardy, making the process smooth and simple. Framework’s website is packed with step-by-step guides (20 written by Nirav) on how to upgrade, repair and replace all elements of the machine which ultimately means that your organisation can have minimal downtime with Framework’s machines.
How can Framework help businesses achieve cost savings?
“We’ve seen businesses regularly report that their employee bases enjoy the customisation and self-service aspects of Framework Laptops. An environmental organisation in Europe organised a ‘build party’, for their team to enable each employee to configure and assemble their own laptop.”
Does Framework use the latest CPUs within its products?
Yes, and more. Framework can supply motherboards fitted with Intel’s Core Ultra CPUs complete with NPU to satisfy your AI requirements. If you prefer Team Red, there are options for AMD’s range up to Ryzen 9. If that’s not enough for your development team, then go Team Green and fit a Laptop 13 with a RISC-V mainboard featuring a StarFive JH7110 processor with four SiFive U74 RISC-V cores.
No other laptop manufacturer on the planet offers the interchangeable versatility of three CPU manufacturers in one chassis. Plus, it has a dedicated business team to help integrate Framework into your organisation.
One of Framework’s other USP is customisation.
Do you want a laptop with four HDMI ports? Does the accounts team prefer number-pads on the left? How about switching out the Intel motherboard for a RISC-V whilst keeping everything else? Framework offers all this and I’ve not even scratched the surface.
Do you know how many premium tech brands can offer that? That’s right, none.
Framework’s unique design, backed by a well-stocked parts store, makes for a range with millions of potential combinations of hardware.
Do you know how many premium tech brands offer that? That’s right, still none.
Don’t be fooled into thinking that Framework is a brand only for enthusiasts and tech-geeks. It has launched in 32 countries over four continents and Framework’s success has seen multiple generations of the Laptop 13 put onto the market alongside a Chromebook edition, the Laptop 16 and the Framework Desktop. Framework can bring the latest innovations to any business.
How does Framework ensure seamless adoption and ongoing maintenance for its business clients?
“We’ve been steadily investing in and growing our Framework for Business team to enable dedicated sales and technical support for our business customers,” said Nirav. “In addition, we continue to expand on our online resources with step-by-step repair guides and videos.”
Coming soon: the Framework Laptop 12
To complement the existing Framework range, 2025 will see the release of Laptop 12. It will be an entry-level, 2-in-1 device with a 12.2in touchscreen, 13th Gen Intel CPU with up to 48GB of RAM and 2TB storage. Nirav Patel told the 2nd Gen crowd:
“Everyone deserves access to repairable, upgradable, long-lasting computers that are designed to respect their rights. Unfortunately, the people who are often stuck with the worst, most disposable, generic crap-top computers are the ones who need that the most. So we decided, based on our mission and framework, that we needed to fix that.”
The Laptop 12 will undoubtably bring Framework to a whole new user base, particularly as cost-effective and repairable machines are so desirable within education and healthcare sectors. Pre-orders open later this year and it’s easy to envisage that this could be its most popular machine to date.
Framework may not have the multi-billion dollar marketing budgets to lodge its brand at the fore of buyer’s brains but its unique offering lifts them high above the laptop-clones saturating the tech sector.
If you’re looking for a sustainable tech solution, then Framework will say that they are not it, but I say that they are way ahead of the competition and are fully deserving of your business.
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