Framework Laptop mainboard is now available directly from the company starting at $400 USD

Framework made a name for itself last year when it launched its 13.5-inch laptop simply called Framework Laptop. Unlike most other laptops in the market, the Framework model promised easy serviceability and repairability for any component — not just RAM or storage. A major part of that initiative would involve selling the individual components themselves to customers who may need them for replacement purposes.

The manufacturer is now offering the mainboard of the Laptop complete with processor and cooling solution for the following prices:

• Core i5-1135G7 mainboard - $399 USD
• Core i7-1165G7 mainboard - $549 USD
• Core i7-1185G7 mainboard - $799 USD

In essence, existing Core i5 owners of the Framework Laptop can easily upgrade to a Core i7 by just swapping out their mainboards. Based on our benchmarks, jumping from the Core i5-1135G7 to the Core i7-1165G7 should boost CPU and GPU performance roughly by about 15 percent each.

Unfortunately, there is no word yet on when Alder Lake-U mainboards will become available. There is very little reason to upgrade within the same processor generation as the biggest performance gains will be inter-generational and not intra-generational. The latest Ultrabooks from major OEMs like Dell, HP, and Lenovo are already widely available with 12th gen CPUs while the Framework Laptop continues to be limited to 11th gen options. Hopefully the 12th gen mainboards will be made available sooner rather than later.