34 docs tagged with "Firmware"

Summary

Summary

The CAN-bus Expansion Card (Cananka) is a community-designed expansion card adding a CAN bus interface to any Framework laptop. Created by Josip Medved (medo64) and first prototyped in March 2022, it uses a PIC18F25K80 microcontroller and an MCP2221A USB-to-UART bridge, supporting SLCAN and SocketCAN.

Coreboot is a free and open-source firmware replacement for proprietary BIOS/UEFI. It provides fast boot times, enhanced security through verified boot, and complete transparency of the firmware stack. Multiple porting efforts target Framework laptops, covering both AMD and Intel models.

EC Card 2 is a closed-case debugging (CCD) expansion card for the Framework Laptop 13, created by Dustin Howett (DHowett). It provides UART serial access to the laptop's embedded controller (EC) through a self-contained USB-to-serial interface, enabling real-time EC debug console access without opening the laptop chassis. The project was funded through Framework's Expansion Card Developer Program.

Fork of the Framework official EC firmware with custom modifications by jcdutton, primarily targeting the Framework 16.

ExAce (Expansion Card Accelerator) is a community-designed FPGA acceleration card in a Framework expansion card form factor. Created by cdg66, it uses a CologneChip Gatemate A1 FPGA with an open-source toolchain and USB 3.0 SuperSpeed SERDES, targeting ML inference, signal processing, and hardware acceleration workloads.

Frameoscope is a fully open-source oscilloscope implementation in the form factor of a standard Framework Expansion Card, developed by jlcjak. It samples at 40 MSPS with 10 MHz bandwidth, using a Texas Instruments ADC, an iCE40 FPGA, and an FTDI FT232H USB PHY. It is compatible with ngscopeclient, the open-source streaming oscilloscope client. The FPGA also serves as a user-programmable module with a >40 MB/s bidirectional data link to the host.

The Framework 16 E-Paper Module is a community-developed e-paper display that fits beneath the Framework Laptop 16's macro pad or numpad in the palm rest area. Created by snowball (BBBSnowball) and published in May 2024, it uses a Waveshare 3.7" e-paper display with a resistive touchscreen, connected to the laptop via a custom flex PCB that taps into the input module's secondary pogo pin connector.

The Framework 16 Keyboard v1 (subtitled "Poor Man's Ortho") is an ortholinear split keyboard designed to fit inside the Framework Laptop 16 in place of the stock keyboard module. Created by Per Sommer (GitHub: sommerper), it uses 40 Kailh Choc low-profile switches in a column-staggered layout and connects via USB or Bluetooth using an nRF52840 microcontroller — rather than interfacing with the Framework 16's Input Module connector.

Announced in March 2023 alongside the 13th Gen Intel model, the AMD Ryzen 7040 variant was Framework's first AMD-powered laptop. Initial shipments were delayed due to electrical and firmware issues. The AMD variant showed additional battery life, better performance, less heat, and lower fan noise when idle compared to Intel models, leading some to suggest it rendered Intel models obsolete. It features RDNA 3 integrated graphics.

Announced in February 2025, this is the latest Framework Laptop 13 model featuring AMD's Zen 5-based Ryzen AI 300 series processors with RDNA 3.5 integrated graphics. It supports up to 96 GB of DDR5 memory and introduces a new 2.8K 120 Hz IPS display option. The design retains Framework's emphasis on modularity, with most parts compatible with earlier releases. DIY edition starts at $899, pre-built at $1,099.

Launched in September 2022 in partnership with Google, the Chromebook Edition is based on the 12th Gen Intel Framework Laptop 13 but runs ChromeOS. Unlike the standard laptop, the Chromebook has a fixed specification — i5-1240P, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD — while retaining the same upgradability. Framework claimed upgraded speakers and batteries compared to the standard laptop, though reviews described the speakers as "muffled" and rated battery life as poor for a Chromebook. The Chromebook was also criticized for its $999 price point. It uses the open-source coreboot firmware.

The Framework Laptop 16 is a larger, performance-oriented laptop announced at the Next Level event in March 2023. It features an expansion bay that can attach PCIe components such as a dedicated GPU, a fully customizable keyboard with interchangeable input modules and optional numpad, and 6 expansion card slots. Initially planned to ship in Q4 2023, it began shipping in February 2024 with AMD Ryzen 7040 series processors. It was named a TIME Best Invention of 2023.

Announced in August 2025, the second generation Framework Laptop 16 features AMD's Zen 5-based Ryzen AI 300 series processors. It adds an optional Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 expansion bay GPU module with 8 GB GDDR7, which is backwards compatible with the 2024 model. Shipments began in December 2025 (delayed from the original November target).

Previewed April 21, 2026, the Framework Wireless Touchpad Keyboard is a compact wireless keyboard with integrated touchpad designed for living room use, computer setup, and sim rig mounting. It uses the same mechanical key structure and touchpad architecture as the Framework Laptop 12. The keyboard features a Nordic nRF54LM20A microcontroller with open source ZMK Firmware, supporting up to four Bluetooth Low Energy hosts, one USB-A dongle, and wired USB-C connectivity. Availability is planned for later in 2026.

fw16-led-matrixd is an open-source, cross-platform daemon and CLI for controlling the Framework Laptop 16 LED Matrix Input Modules, developed by community member Sabrina Andersen (GitHub: NukingDragons). Written in Rust, it fully implements Framework's LED Matrix serial API and provides both a background daemon (fw16-led-matrixd) and a command-line client (ledcli) for scripting and automation.

Glider is an open-source, low-latency e-ink display controller by Wenting Zhang (Modos Labs), capable of driving e-paper panels at up to 60 fps — far beyond typical e-ink refresh rates. It uses a Xilinx Spartan 6 FPGA to process video signals and drive raw e-ink panels directly, bypassing the latency of integrated display controllers.

This project has been merged into Framework Deck. All features are now part of Framework Deck's Keyboard module. The standalone repository is archived for historical reference.

The Input Cover Controller is an RP2040-based board by CRImier (Arya) that lets you reuse a Framework input cover (palmrest with keyboard and touchpad) as a standalone USB device. It connects to the keyboard matrix, touchpad, power button, fingerprint sensor, and LEDs — turning a spare input cover into a fully functional USB keyboard.

The Joysticks Expansion Modules (also known as "My Laptop Has Ears") are pair of expansion card modules that add analog joysticks to the Framework Laptop 13, enabling handheld gaming use. Developed by Wiktor Tomanek and first announced in October 2023, the modules plug into the left and right expansion card slots and function as a pair of USB game controllers.

LED Matrix Vocab (also titled "LED Matrix Word Randomizer") is a web-based Japanese vocabulary study tool for the Framework Laptop 16 LED Matrix modules, developed by community member Jacob Padgett (GitHub: jpadgett314). It periodically displays a random Japanese word on the LED Matrix modules, turning idle screen real estate into a passive language-learning aid. The app is available as a live demo and can be installed as a Progressive Web App (PWA) for offline desktop use.

The LoRa Expansion Card is a community-developed expansion card that adds LoRa (Long Range) wireless communication to Framework laptops. Multiple community members have contributed designs, with the most advanced being by S115 (Sil Schouten), which successfully ran Meshtastic firmware and established LoRa reception in May 2025.

Mattbook is an ultra-portable computer (UMPC) built around a Framework Laptop 13 mainboard, developed by community member 2disbetter (Matt) in collaboration with hardware designer Penk Chen — known for the Penkesu Computer, Mainboard Terminal, and Rasti Computer. The project packs a full Framework 13 mainboard with a 13th-gen Intel i7-1370P, 64 GB of DDR4 RAM, and a 1 TB NVMe SSD into a paperback-sized CNC aluminium enclosure measuring 265 × 152 × 56 mm.

Summary

The PSP Joystick Expansion Card is a community-designed expansion card that adds an analog joystick and two buttons to a Framework laptop. Created by Nils Schulte (Schnilz) and published in June 2025, it uses a Sony PSP replacement joystick module that fits within the expansion card form factor with millimeter-level clearance.

The RoPlug is a community-designed expansion card that adds a configurable rotary encoder (scroll wheel) to Framework laptops. Created by community member mrwm in October 2021, it was one of the earliest functional community-built expansion cards. The card is powered by an ATmega32U4 microcontroller running the QMK firmware, allowing users to remap the scroll wheel to any keyboard function — volume control, mouse scrolling, cursor movement, copy/paste, undo/redo, and more.

The RP2040 Expansion Card is a community-designed expansion card integrating a Raspberry Pi RP2040 microcontroller into a Framework expansion card form factor. Designed by Josh Cook (jyancat) of i2cLabs, it provides a programmable MCU with breakout GPIO, usable as a development board or embedded controller accessible directly from the laptop.

The RP2350 20-pin GPIO Expansion Card is an open-source expansion card integrating a Raspberry Pi RP2350A microcontroller into a Framework expansion card, exposing 20 GPIO pins accessible from the laptop. Designed by Tan Siret Akıncı (tansiret) and jerrymk, it was presented at Maker Faire Rome 2025 and certified by OSHWA (UID IT000024).

The ThinkPad Keyboard Mod is a collaborative community project to adapt Lenovo ThinkPad keyboards with TrackPoint pointing sticks for use in Framework laptops. Initiated by Harley Godfrey in October 2023 for the Framework Laptop 13 using a ThinkPad T480s keyboard, the project expanded significantly when C. Scott Ananian began a parallel effort targeting the Framework Laptop 16 with a ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 keyboard, producing working hardware prototypes and open-source firmware.

The Touchscreen E-Paper Input Module is an open-source hardware input module for the Framework Laptop 16, created by community member arthomnix. It features a touchscreen e-paper display that fits as a medium-sized input module, featured on the Framework 16 product page and at the Framework 2nd Gen Event.

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