Framework Laptop 16 upgrades and OCuLink Dev Kit
Framework announced updates to the Framework Laptop 16, including new one-piece haptic touchpad and keyboard modules, a Translucent Smoke Gray Bezel, and a Ryzen 5 340 processor option starting at $1,249. A new OCuLink Dev Kit preview enables high-throughput external peripherals like eGPUs.
Framework Laptop 16 now offers a one-piece haptic touchpad module, replacing the previous modular design with a single rigid CNC aluminum palmrest. This module features four piezo haptic elements and adjustable click force and feedback response. It is available as an optional upgrade alongside a new one-piece keyboard in US English, both pre-orderable with shipments beginning in June. The design eliminates seams in the touchpad row while maintaining modularity options.
A new Translucent Smoke Gray Bezel option is launching later this summer, featuring a mechanically robust resin composed of 98% post-consumer-recycled material. This cosmetic update follows extensive testing of translucent plastics for durability and aesthetics. The bezel will be available in system configurations and the Framework Marketplace. Additionally, a Ryzen 5 340 processor configuration is now offered, providing a lower entry price point starting at $1,249 for the DIY Edition and $1,599 for pre-built systems.
Framework also previewed the OCuLink Dev Kit, designed to enable high-throughput external peripherals such as eGPUs. The kit includes an OCuLink Adapter Board that fits into the Expansion Bay Shell, a Graphics Module OCuLink Dock for reusing internal graphics modules externally, and a PCIe OCuLink Dock for standard off-the-shelf PCIe cards. The system supports up to 128 Gbps bidirectional throughput via an 8-lane OCuLink interface.
The OCuLink Dev Kit is structured as a modular system, providing core electronics, structural components, and reference 3D-printable designs. Users can customize the enclosure, power supply, and overall setup, including the choice of GPU and other peripherals. Framework plans to share further details as the kit approaches its shipping date later this year. The updates aim to enhance the Framework Laptop 16's modularity and performance as a portable workstation platform.