The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) is a modular Windows laptop for gaming and content creation. This AMD Ryzen-based model is a new addition to Framework's lineup. This is the first time the company has offered a 16-inch form factor and a discrete GPU option. Like all Framework laptops, you can get a pre-configured model or go the DIY route to choose each component individually. You can configure this model with a Zen 4-based AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS or Ryzen 9 7940HS CPU, an AMD Radeon RX 7700S discrete GPU, up to 64GB of RAM, and up to 4TB of storage. It has a 2560 x 1600 165Hz IPS display with FreeSync support and full DCI P3 coverage, a 1080p webcam, Wi-Fi 6E, and multiple keyboard and input module options, including a numpad and macropad that are user-configurable via QMK.
See our unit's specifications and the available configuration options in the Differences Between Variants section.
Our Verdict
The Framework 16 is decent for school use. The main draw of this laptop is its performance and display. It has plenty of power for 3D modeling, rendering, or programming workloads, and its display offers full DCI P3 coverage, making it a great choice for students in graphic design or photo and video editing. By contrast, the user experience is just okay overall. The touchpad and keyboard are good enough, but nothing special, and its battery life is fine but won't get you through a full day of classes. Its 16-inch form factor isn't particularly portable, and, finally, the build quality is just okay; while the materials generally feel durable, the laptop's modular design results in gaps and creases where the different modules connect. These creases are sharp and can scratch you.
- Sharp, bright display with excellent color coverage.
- Hardware can handle demanding workloads.
- Excellent modular ports.
- Expansive configuration options.
- Large and bulky design.
- CPU thermal throttles and fans get loud.
- Fit issues with modular components.
- Keyboard feels mushy to use.
The Framework 16 is excellent for gaming. It's available with AMD Ryzen 7 or 9 CPUs and an AMD Radeon RX 7700S discrete GPU, which provides a smooth gaming experience at 1080p or 1440p. The 165Hz QHD+ display delivers a clear image with minimal ghosting and supports FreeSync, so you don't need to worry about screen tearing. If you choose the DIY model, you can get up to 6TB of storage to house your game library. The pre-built models max out at 1TB of storage, but you can add more yourself. The laptop stays cool enough to enjoy long gaming sessions, but the fan gets quite loud.
- Excellent modular ports.
- 165Hz refresh rate with fast response times and FreeSync support.
- Expansive configuration options.
- Delivers smooth gameplay in demanding games.
- CPU thermal throttles and fans get loud.
- Keyboard feels mushy to use.
The Framework 16 is decent for multimedia consumption. Its best feature is the large 16-inch display, whose wide color gamut makes video content pop. Moreover, it gets bright enough for indoor and outdoor use, and the matte coating on it does a great job minimizing reflections from lights or sunlight. The speakers certainly get loud but don't sound particularly good; they have a stuffy sound signature, lacking both treble and bass. Battery life is also just okay. Finally, because the laptop is so large, it isn't particularly portable if you want to watch videos while traveling on a plane or bus.
- Sharp, bright display with excellent color coverage.
- Excellent modular ports.
- Large and bulky design.
- Keyboard feels mushy to use.
The Framework 16 is excellent for use as a workstation. It's available with AMD Ryzen 7 or 9 CPUs and an AMD Radeon RX 7700S discrete GPU; both perform well and have plenty of processing power to handle demanding tasks like video editing, programming, and 3D animation. You can also perform color-correction tasks, as it has a QHD+ display with full DCI P3 coverage. As the RAM and storage are fully user-replaceable, you don't need to worry about tailoring either of these components to your workflow. The modular port system is fantastic, as you can swap out the ports on the go to attach almost any peripherals you need. Otherwise, the user experience is okay overall, as the keyboard and touchpad are fine to use.
- Sharp, bright display with excellent color coverage.
- Hardware can handle demanding workloads.
- Excellent modular ports.
- Expansive configuration options.
- Fast storage.
- CPU thermal throttles and fans get loud.
- Keyboard feels mushy to use.
The Framework 16 is good for business use. Its modular port system is great, allowing you to change the ports on the fly for whatever you need. The 16-inch display is large and features a 16:10 aspect, which is great for working with multiple documents or spreadsheets and for giving you some extra vertical real estate. Its battery life is okay but won't last you a full day of work, and because it's a larger laptop, it isn't the best choice if portability is a priority. The big disappointment is the build quality and user experience; they're both just okay. The laptop's modular design results in gaps and creases where the different modules connect. These creases are sharp and can scratch you. As for the touchpad and keyboard, while both are fine, they don't offer a premium experience. There are some tracking and palm detection issues, and the keyboard feels mushy.
- Sharp, bright display with excellent color coverage.
- Excellent modular ports.
- Expansive configuration options.
- Large and bulky design.
- Fit issues with modular components.
- Keyboard feels mushy to use.
Changelog
- Updated Jun 26, 2024: We've updated the review to describe the hardware privacy switch for the webcam and microphone.
- Updated Jun 17, 2024: We've updated the review to reflect the availability of RGB keyboard variants.
- Updated Jun 13, 2024: Review published.
- Updated Jun 05, 2024: Early access published.
Check Price
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We tested the pre-built Performance model of the Framework Laptop 16 (2023). This configuration includes an AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS CPU, AMD Radeon RX7700S GPU, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage. You can get a pre-configured model or a DIY edition; the latter allows you to choose most components individually. The available options are in the tables below.
| Pre-built Models | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Performance |
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| Performance Pro |
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| Overkill |
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| DIY Edition | Configuration |
|---|---|
| Screen |
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| CPU |
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| Memory |
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Primary Storage (M.2 2280) |
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Secondary Storage (M.2 2230) |
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| OS |
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| Expansion Bay System |
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| Input Modules |
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| Bezel Color |
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Add-Ons (Extra Spacers) |
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The Framework Laptop 16 is only available on Framework's website. See our unit's label here.
Popular Laptop Comparisons
The Framework Laptop 16 (2023) is a Windows laptop for gaming and content creation. Its modular design offers industry-leading options for repairability and expandability. The display is much improved over previous Framework offerings. However, unlike its smaller sibling, the Framework Laptop 13 (2023), the build quality and user experience are just okay overall. The fit of the different modules creates numerous spaces and gaps, the screen exhibits significant flexing, the keyboard feels mushy, and the speakers aren't great. That being said, performance is good overall as the CPU and discrete GPU are well-suited to intensive tasks. All in all, this is a great laptop if you want a modular device, but it gets expensive quickly, and there are better options if performance is your main concern.
For more options, check out our recommendations for the best 15-16 inch laptops, the best gaming laptops, and the best video editing laptops.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16 (M3, 2023) is a much better laptop for most use cases than the Framework Laptop 16 (2023). With Apple's M3 SoC, the Macbook Pro is a very capable mobile workstation that offers a much more premium user experience than the Framework with its Mini LED display, large touchpad, spacious keyboard, and fantastic up-firing speakers. It also features much better battery life than the Framework laptop. By contrast, if you want to game, then the Framework is the better choice as it offers far better performance than the Apple. This is partly because very few games are optimized for its ARM-based SoC, and running games through Rosetta 2 can result in poor performance or graphical glitches, depending on the game. Finally, the modular port system on the Framework offers much better versatility, as you can swap out ports on the go.
While the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) and Lenovo Legion Pro 5 Gen 8 16 (2023) offer similar performance for intensive use cases, the user experience is better overall on the Lenovo. The Lenovo laptop features a better keyboard, touchpad, and build quality than the modular Framework, as there are numerous fit issues between the components. That being said, the Framework offers a display with full coverage of the DCI P3 color space, making it the better choice for business or content creation applications like video editing, and its modular port system means you can swap ports out on the go to suit your needs. Moreover, while the Framework falls short of full-day battery life, it is much better than the Lenovo's which lasts just under five hours for light use.
Both the Framework Laptop 16 (2023) and Framework Laptop 13 (2023) are modular laptops, but they target different audiences. The 13-inch is an ultraportable device designed for general productivity tasks on the go, whereas the 16-inch model is designed for gaming and content creation tasks like video editing. As a result, the 13 comes with low-power AMD and Intel CPUs, a 2256 x 1504 3:2 IPS display, and all-day battery life. The 16-inch model features faster AMD CPUs, is Framework's first offering with a discrete GPU, and also features a brighter QHD+ IPS panel with full coverage of the DCI P3 color space. Unfortunately, the build quality falls short of the smaller sibling, as there are numerous fit issues between the various modular components.
The Dell XPS 16 (2024) is better overall than the Framework Laptop 16 (2023), although they target somewhat different uses. The Dell is a premium Windows workstation laptop whose hardware is versatile enough for gaming; the Framework is a modular laptop for gaming and content creation applications like video editing. The real differences come down to the user experience. The build quality is vastly superior on the Dell, as the fit of the Framework's modular design results in gaps and exposes sharp edges. Moreover, while not fault-free, the keyboard and trackpad are also much better on the Dell. The Framework is very loud under load, something that can't be said of the Dell. Finally, the modular port system on the Framework offers much better versatility, as you can swap out ports on the go.
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