Framework Laptop 16 gets official OCuLink 8i support, Ryzen 5 340 option
Framework has announced a new round of updates for the Laptop 16, led by an official preview of its OCuLink Dev Kit. The new accessory uses OCuLink 8i and gives the system up to 128 Gbps of bidirectional throughput for external PCIe devices. Framework says this makes Laptop 16 the first notebook with an exposed 8-lane OCuLink interface.
Source: Framework
The kit has three parts. There is an OCuLink Adapter Board that fits into the Laptop 16 Expansion Bay Shell, a Graphics Module OCuLink Dock for reusing Framework Laptop 16 Graphics Modules outside the system, and a PCIe OCuLink Dock for standard desktop add-in cards such as graphics cards, capture cards, and 100Gbps networking. Framework says the setup is designed as a kit, with users expected to provide the enclosure, power supply, and the rest of the build around it. The company plans to ship it later this year.
The Framework OCuLink Dev Kit is a modular adapter and dock system that lets your Framework Laptop 16 connect directly to hardware outside the laptop. Use it to connect a desktop graphics card for lower latency and more consistent frame rates, or run your Framework Laptop 16 Graphics Module externally so you can keep your system lighter when you’re on the go. Beyond graphics, it also supports PCIe devices like storage expansion, network cards, video capture cards, and more, giving you flexibility in how you balance performance and portability. Built around OCuLink, the kit provides a high-speed direct PCIe connection, leveraging an OCuLink 8i interface (PCIe x8, up to 128 GT/s), that bypasses the bandwidth limitations of traditional external solutions like Thunderbolt or USB4.
— Framework
Source: Framework
Framework 16 updates
Framework also updated the Laptop 16 itself with a new One Piece Haptic Touchpad and One Piece Keyboard. The touchpad uses the same haptic architecture as the new Framework Laptop 13 Pro, including four piezo haptic elements and adjustable click and feedback force. Both new input modules are optional and are already up for pre-order, with shipments set to begin in June.
On the configuration side, Framework added a Ryzen 5 340 option to lower the entry price of Laptop 16. The new starting price is $1,249 for the DIY Edition and $1,599 for a pre-built system. Framework is also adding a Translucent Smoke Gray Bezel later this summer.
This is also close to a community project we covered earlier. Back in December, we reported on a user-built OCuLink x8 connector module for Framework Laptop 16. Framework has now turned that idea into an official accessory path, while also adding new input modules and a lower-cost CPU option.
Source: Framework
