We’ve covered the Framework Laptop 13 mainly as a customer Windows laptop computer, examining variations with several Intel and AMD processors. The system’s modular nature makes it possible to broaden it beyond Windows PC hardware, as we’ve seen with experiments like the (now-discontinued) Chromebook Edition of the laptop computer.

Today Framework is broadening to something a lot more speculative: a DeepComputing RISC-V Mainboard targeted mostly at designers. RISC-V is a totally open source and royalty-free direction set, making it possible for anybody to embrace and utilize it without needing to accredit it (unlike x86, which is a labyrinth of cross-licensed Intel and AMD innovations that other business can’t actually purchase into; or Arm, which is certified by the business of the exact same name).

Revealed in June 2024, the board is offered to buy today for $199. The board is created to suit a Framework Laptop 13 chassis, which implies that individuals who would choose a desktop can likewise put it into the $39 Cooler Master Mainboard Case that Framework deals.

Made in performance with DeepComputing, the board utilizes a StarFive JH7110 processor with 4 1.5 GHz SiFive U74 CPU cores. The board can formally run either Ubuntu 24.04 LTS or Fedora 41, with tech assistance offered by DeepComputing.

The RISC-V board isn’t being used in a pre-built laptop computer, however Framework is likewise presenting a barebones boardless $399 laptop computer chassis with a screen, 55 WHr battery, speakers, and a keyboard for $399. It can be utilized for the RISC-V Mainboard or any other Framework Laptop 13 motherboard design.