Framework Laptop 16 (RTX 5070) Review: A Dream Come True

Los Angeles: The Framework Laptop 16 starts at $2,449, especially when you choose the AMD Ryzen 9 HX 370 upgrade. While the Razer Blade 16 with the RTX 5070 costs around $2,300 (often less on sale), the Framework lets you change parts later.

This laptop offers solid gaming performance. You can play games like Cyberpunk 2077 in native resolution. I tested games at the highest settings, without extra features like ray tracing. The only game that struggled was Black Myth: Wukong. The RTX 5070 has 8 GB of VRAM, which is lower than the desktop version with 12 GB.

Adding a graphics card affects battery life, but not as much as you think. The Framework lasts around nine hours during video playback. Real-life work cut that to about five hours. You can also take out the graphics module for longer battery life while traveling.

One cool feature of the Framework Laptop 16 is that it only needs USB-C power. The 240-watt GaN power charger is small but can power everything on the laptop, including graphics. Just remember to use both sides of the charger for maximum performance.

Framework makes great laptops, but they aren’t cheap. You can find good laptops for $650, especially during sales. Framework doesn’t change prices often and doesn’t sell through other stores. Still, their repairable and eco-friendly laptops attract a crowd, whether for Linux or Windows users. Just be ready to spend more.