Framework, the company renowned for its modular, repairable laptops, has just released its inaugural desktop computer, marking a significant milestone in the tech industry. The Framework Desktop is a compact, high-performance PC that packs a punch, thanks to its innovative design and cutting-edge technology.

The most striking aspect of the Framework Desktop is its internal architecture, which boasts AMD's recently announced Strix Halo architecture, also known as the Ryzen AI Max processors. This all-in-one processing unit promises exceptional performance, making it an attractive option for gamers and those who want to run large language models on their own computers.

In terms of design, the Framework Desktop is a sleek, 4.5L computer built around a mini-ITX mainboard, making it smaller than popular gaming consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. The device features a customizable front panel with 21 interchangeable plastic square tiles, allowing users to personalize their PC's appearance when purchasing online.

Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the Framework Desktop offers a range of practical features, including Framework's iconic expansion cards at the bottom of the device. These cards provide users with flexibility, allowing them to select from a variety of modules, such as USB-C or USB-A ports, a headphone jack, an SD card reader, or even a storage expansion card.

Under the hood, the Framework Desktop's internals are relatively simple, comprising a mainboard with AMD's accelerated processing unit, a fan, a heat sink, a power supply, and two M.2 2280 NVMe SSD slots for storage. The AMD Strix Halo APU is soldered to the mainboard, and Framework offers two configurations: the AMD Ryzen AI Max 385 and the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395. The top-tier configuration features 16 CPU cores, 40 graphics cores, and 80MB of cache, while the entry-level model comes with 8 CPU cores, 32 graphics cores, and 40MB of cache.

One notable design choice is the use of soldered-in RAM, ranging from 32GB to 128GB. While this may raise concerns about upgradability, Framework CEO Nirav Patel explained that this decision was necessary to enable the massive 256GB/s memory bandwidth delivered by Ryzen AI Max. Patel noted that the company spent months working with AMD to explore alternative solutions, but ultimately determined that modular memory at high throughput with the 256-bit memory bus was not technically feasible.

Despite this limitation, the Framework Desktop's unified memory capacity unlocks significant possibilities for large language models. For instance, Llama 3.3 70B can run smoothly using Ollama, llama.cpp, and other open-source tools for local AI workloads. Other open-weight models from Mistral, Nous, Hermes, or DeepSeek should also function seamlessly.

Framework is also offering the mainboard without a case, catering to users who want to integrate the technology into their own custom setups. The company has even built a mini-rack with four Framework Desktop mainboards running in parallel for AI testing.

The Framework Desktop is available for pre-order, with prices starting at $1,099 for the base model and reaching $1,999 for the top-end version. The company promises support for Windows and popular Linux distributions like Ubuntu, Fedora, and Bazzite. Shipments are expected to commence in early Q3 2025.

With its innovative design, cutting-edge technology, and focus on AI capabilities, the Framework Desktop is poised to make a significant impact in the tech industry. As the company continues to push the boundaries of modular, repairable computing, it will be exciting to see how users and developers respond to this new offering.