Framework Laptop 16 Gets Cheaper Ryzen AI Option, Cleaner Design And Proper OCuLink eGPU Support

Framework’s Laptop 16 has always been one of the more interesting machines for people who hate disposable laptops. Modular parts, upgradeable internals, swappable input sections — very cool on paper. But let’s be real: the first versions also had that slightly “engineering sample” vibe, especially around the keyboard and trackpad area.

Now Framework is cleaning that up.

The latest Laptop 16 update is not a full reinvention, but it does fix some of the stuff that made the machine look a bit unfinished. For Malaysian and SEA buyers who care about long-term repairability, gaming performance, and not throwing away a whole laptop just because one part gets old, this is a pretty relevant refresh.

Cheaper Ryzen AI 5 Option

The biggest price-related change is a new CPU option: the six-core Ryzen AI 5 340. It sits below the existing eight-core Ryzen AI 7 350, both from AMD’s Ryzen AI 300 family.

Because of that lower-end chip, the Framework Laptop 16 now starts at US$1,599 for a pre-built model, or US$1,249 for the DIY Edition. Previously, those starting prices were US$1,799 and US$1,499 respectively.

In Malaysia terms, that is still premium-laptop money — roughly the RM5.9k to RM7.5k range before taxes, shipping, and local availability drama. But for students, devs, creators, or tinkerers who were already eyeing Framework, the lower entry point helps. Ars Technica notes that future RAM or storage price increases could reduce these savings, so this cheaper gap may not last forever.

Finally, A Cleaner Keyboard And Trackpad Layout

Framework is also adding a new Translucent Smoke Gray Bezel, joining the existing black, orange, and lavender options. Nice cosmetic flex, but the more important change is on the laptop deck.

Previously, the Laptop 16 keyboard and trackpad setup was extremely modular. That gave users control over whether they wanted a numpad and how the trackpad should be aligned. The trade-off? You needed multiple pieces, spacers, and modules just to complete the top case. Functional, yes. Clean-looking? Not always.

The new option is much simpler: one-piece keyboard and one-piece trackpad modules. If you are okay with a centred keyboard with no numpad and a centred trackpad, the laptop should now look far more polished.

The trackpad upgrade matters even more because the old spacers beside it could only really be spacers. With the new one-piece module, that whole area looks less like a prototype and more like a finished premium laptop. Framework is also bringing over the newer haptic trackpad used in the Framework Laptop 13 Pro, which should feel more modern and MacBook-like.

Both the one-piece keyboard and trackpad modules are available for preorder now, with availability planned for June.

OCuLink Is The Fun Gamer/Creator Upgrade

The most exciting functional upgrade is the new OCuLink Dev Kit. This exposes up to eight lanes of PCIe 4.0 bandwidth for external GPUs or other PCIe accessories.

Technically, Framework users could already run external GPUs through Thunderbolt or USB4 docks. But OCuLink is more direct. Instead of sending PCIe data through Thunderbolt/USB-C tunnelling, OCuLink gives a cleaner PCI Express-style connection, which can help external GPUs access more usable bandwidth.

For SEA gamers, this is where things get spicy. Imagine using the Laptop 16 as your daily portable machine, then docking it at home with a desktop GPU for heavier gaming, rendering, or AI workloads. It is not as plug-and-play as a normal gaming laptop, but for the DIY crowd, it is a very interesting path.

There is a catch: users need to remove the Laptop 16’s GPU module or Expansion Bay Shell spacer, then install an OCuLink Adapter Board. From there, it can connect to either a Graphics Module OCuLink Dock for Framework’s external GPU module, or a PCIe OCuLink Dock for desktop PCIe cards, including GPUs. If you use a desktop card, you must provide your own external power supply.

Framework is positioning this as a kit: it provides the core electronics, structure, and reference 3D-printable designs, while the GPU, enclosure, PSU, and full setup are up to the user.

Pricing for the OCuLink Dev Kit has not been announced yet, and Framework says more details will come closer to shipping later this year.

Overall, this update makes the Laptop 16 feel less like a cool experiment and more like a serious modular workstation. Still niche, still probably pricey for Malaysia, but definitely more attractive for power users who want one machine that can grow with them.

Source: Ars Technica