The Framework modular laptop has been written about on Habra more than once, and there is an article about it on our blog. This device is really good – it is very easy to repair (with one screwdriver, without special tools), and you can change modules without any problems. In addition, there are expansion modules.

Well, now there is an opportunity to turn it into a mini PC without a screen, which will be cheaper than buying the device itself. Of course, the form factor of the device will not be Intel NUC, it is much larger. But this is not a desktop with a large body. That is, it will take up little space on the table. And now about how it can be done and what the new form factor of the modular device looks like.

What is needed for such a modification

This year, the laptop manufacturer announced a joint project with Cooler Master. As part of it, the company released a plastic transparent case. It provides slots for expansion modules, so installing them, in case of purchase, can be done without problems. There is a mount for VESA, so you can place the device on the back cover of the monitor, if there is such a need.

Accordingly, there are two ways to convert a laptop into a desktop. The first is to buy a motherboard from Framework, they are for sale, and various configurations are available. At the moment, you can buy a motherboard with a Ryzen 77840U or Ryzen 57640U chip.

This is about the new model. The 2022 model also has options based on Intel Core:

• Intel Core i5-1240P (4P + 8E cores)

• Intel Core i7-1260P (4P + 8E cores)

• Intel Core i7-1280P (6P + 8E cores)

The second way is to use an existing laptop. In this case, it will have to be sprayed by removing the motherboard.

Disassembly process

One of the owners of the Framework laptop had both the desire to turn it into a mini PC and the case itself, bought after it went on sale.

It is very easy to do this, since, as mentioned above, the laptop is sharpened for easy repair by users with almost any experience. There is even an official guide on how to do it. All you need is a Philips screwdriver with a T5 Torx bit. Or an ordinary screwdriver of this standard and size. By the way, all this comes with the laptop, you don’t need to buy anything else.

The trickiest part of taking this laptop apart is pulling out the Wi-Fi module cables, which takes a minute or so anyway. Well, then we just get the motherboard.

The case is also designed to make handling it as easy as possible. You need to take the case, insert the motherboard there and tighten a few screws with the same screwdriver. That’s it, the “most difficult” work is over.

A little about the mini-PC

The case received two places for expansion slots on each side. The following modules are available:

There are also modules developed by third-party companies:

• dual USB-C

• RFID reader

• Raspberry Pi Pico

Linux on the new desktop

The laptop is compatible with many operating systems, including Windows, Google Chrome Flex, and Linux distributions. However, users have reported some compatibility issues. Who had something wrong with the screen, who could not get the fingerprint sensor or webcam to work. These problems do not exist if you use Ubuntu and Fedora distributions officially supported by the manufacturer. Others, including Manjaro, Mint, etc., have issues.

But this is if you work with a laptop. But in the case of a desktop, everything becomes much easier, because you no longer need to support the screen or the same dactyloscopic sensor, trackpad, etc. So you can “play” with different distributions, with a minimum of problems. Another stated plus, according to those who have already assembled such a mini PC, is the very quiet operation of the device. At the same time, we should not forget that this is a system based on the i7 of the 12th generation.

The advantages of such a device are very small size, quiet operation and high performance, light weight and the possibility of modification at any time with one screwdriver or without it, if you keep in mind the addition / replacement of modules.

What else?

You can do a lot on the basis of such a device, from a regular workstation to a Plex server, a file/media server, a TrueNAS server, a digital assistant, etc.

The company recently introduced a 16-inch device. In the new device, six modules can be placed at once, including USB, HDMI, DisplayPort, Ethernet, audio output or an SSD module. There is even a discrete graphics module, it is not included by default. The main thing is that there is such an opportunity. The motherboard supports connection using PCIe x8, which gives enough bandwidth for graphics. The new eGPU module can be connected to a Thunderbolt 4/USB4 host, including a Framework 13 laptop. Based on this device, you can make an even more productive, albeit more massive desktop.

As you can see, the modular laptop project is developing very actively: new models of motherboards, modules and case variants are being developed. Of course, I would like the modular architecture of laptops to become a standard – then in a few years you will not have to change the laptop to a more productive one, and you can add new functions to your device without any problems.

If you have already had to work with this laptop or with a desktop made on the basis of the Framework motherboard, tell us about your experience.