For the past five years, Framework has stood apart in the world of personal computing. While most manufacturers chase thinner designs and locked-down ecosystems, Framework has built its reputation on a radically different promise: laptops designed to last, upgrade, and evolve. With its August 26 announcement looming, the company is once again teasing that “something big just got better.” So what comes after modular laptops?
A Track Record of Disruption
Since its founding in 2020, Framework has launched seven distinct laptops, including five generations of its flagship 13-inch line, the Chromebook Edition, and the enthusiast-focused Laptop 16. The company’s vision is simple yet powerful: instead of discarding a device every few years, users can replace parts, upgrade modules, or swap processors while keeping the same machine alive.
That vision expanded in early 2025 with two major moves. The first was the Laptop 12, a compact convertible with stylus support and playful customization options, designed to bring Framework’s philosophy to a wider audience. The second was the Framework Desktop, a modular small-form-factor PC that signaled the company’s ambitions beyond laptops. Both products reaffirmed Framework’s commitment to sustainability while inviting more consumers to consider repairable tech.
The Big Tease: What to Expect
Now the spotlight shifts back to the Laptop 16, a model that debuted with fanfare but also drew criticism for cooling issues and a lack of refinement. Framework has promised it’s “far from done” with the design, and the teaser campaign strongly suggests a major refresh.
The most likely scenario is a revamped Laptop 16 that addresses its shortcomings. Expect improved thermals, a sturdier chassis, and more streamlined GPU options. Gamers and creative professionals, in particular, are eager for modular graphics expansion to become more seamless, making the Laptop 16 a true rival to traditional high-performance notebooks.
Beyond Laptops?
There’s also the possibility that Framework could surprise us with something beyond laptops. The modular desktop was a bold step, and the company has shown no hesitation in broadening its ecosystem. Accessories, external GPU modules, or even entirely new device categories remain on the table. Whatever the form, the focus will almost certainly stay on repairability, sustainability, and user empowerment.
Why It Matters
Framework’s approach is more than a niche experiment, it’s a challenge to the wasteful status quo of consumer electronics. Every announcement signals a step toward a future where devices are not disposable but designed to evolve. Whether August 26 brings a reimagined Laptop 16 or a new frontier in modular tech, the company’s trajectory makes one thing clear: the era of locked-down hardware is being rewritten, one upgrade at a time.
