Modder Turns Framework Laptop PCB Into a Handheld Gaming PC

YouTuber Pitstoptech built a "fully upgradeable gaming handheld" around one of Framework's upgradable motherboards. Tom's Hardware reports: The handheld model you see in the video is equipped with the following components:

- Framework's Intel Core i7-1260P processor equipped mainboard
- 7-inch FHD touchscreen display
- 16 GB RAM
- 512 GB SSD
- Dual front-facing speakers
- Detachable controllers
- 55 Wh Battery
- High-speed Wi-Fi & Bluetooth

These components appear to offer some passable small-screen gaming. And in the video, you can see the device plugs into a larger monitor / TV where using the controllers in a detached configuration (Bluetooth) may be more comfortable. [...] Pitstoptech intends to prepare and sell handheld DIY kits "soon," based on the prototype design you see in the pictures / video.

First post

[GameboyRMH]

Yes it runs Crysis! Imagine a Beowulf cluster of these!

(Seriously though, really awesome build!)

I think this is what Framework wanted people to do

[BeaverCleaver]

It may not be to everyone's taste but it's a neat re-use of a laptop motherboard. It seems that the Framework company actually supports this sort of thing (They are very pro right-to-repair and provide disassembly instructions for their products) so hopefully this gaming rig won't get hit with a cease-and-desist order.

The Framework laptop has received positive reviews from Choice (Australia's consumer reports publication: https://www.choice.com.au/elec... [choice.com.au] )

Framework's website goes into more detail: https:// [frame.work]

Re: I think this is what Framework wanted people t

[guruevi]

The question is why a 12th gen Intel is considered obsolete by the purveyors of Framework. If the whole goal is to be environmentally friendly, then they would promote a device that doesnâ(TM)t need to be upgraded or taken apart in a decade or so.

However the hype around the laptop is basically gamers and enthusiasts that want an upgradable laptop so they can be on the latest tech, thereby producing a ton of e-waste of near-new perfectly functional systems. They couldâ(TM)ve just made the CPU remov

Re:

[EvilSS]

Pretty sure you can't even get modern mobile CPUs in a socket compatible package. Even if you could Intel rarely keeps the same socket for more than two generations. As for keeping them for a decade, nothing is stopping anyone if that's what you need and using a 10 year old laptop works for you. But it's an unreasonable request for most users and the company certainly can't force users to not upgrade when they want to. On the e-waste front at least they are making these reparable and are actively encouragin

Re:

[guruevi]

You can do the same in eg. a Latitude, they have used the same form factor and connections for going on half a decade and plenty of 'repairable' devices around if you just mean "let's throw the entire motherboard, CPU, south bridge, audio, connectors, GPU and replace all of it at once". Repairable in the "right to repair movement" meaning of the word means being able to replace/upgrade individual chips with free tools and cheap parts provided by the manufacturer.

Re:

[EvilSS]

Repairable in the "right to repair movement" meaning of the word means being able to replace/upgrade individual chips with free tools and cheap parts provided by the manufacturer.

I've never seen that definition used. No one advocating for right to repair would expect every chip on a board to be in a socket. That's ridiculous, but to meet your definition that would be the requirement. When they talk about getting chips and not just assemblies, they are mainly talking about repair shops, who have the equipment and expertise to replace something like a BGA chip on a board.

plenty of 'repairable' devices around if you just mean "let's throw the entire motherboard, CPU, south bridge, audio, connectors, GPU and replace all of it at once".

Repairable maybe, if you can get the assemblies from the mfg. Upgradable? Very, very few options there.

Someone's gonna sue

[Opportunist]

Sure, with a bogus claim, but there's way too big gaming companies wagering way too high sums on their own way too overengineered handheld gaming computer to now be ousted by a hobbyist who would then also even let the user decide what to do with their gaming rig.

We can't have that! Release the lawyers!

Re:

[Kokuyo]

Who could even sue? Framework's whole business model is based on "We're the good guys" and I'm pretty sure their CEO did a cartwheel of happiness when Linus featured a link to this video on WAN Show.

Any other producer of Steamdeck Clones? Valve? They haven't sued each other yet, so on what grounds could they argue that the other manufacturers are okay to build this and the hobbyist absolutely not?

Re:

[moronoxyd]

USB or Bluetooth. As with any proper Gaming rig.

Needs software

[cerberusss]

After reading up on the Steam Deck, it has a lot of software to make games run in the correct configuration. Not only for the graphics, but also for the controls. I'm not a PC gaming person (I have an Xbox), so please comment on this. But wouldn't you need a lot more software to make gaming good?

Re:

[nsbfikwjuunkifjqhm]

Nothing would stop you installing SteamOS on the Framework hardware, it's just a Linux distro. Microsoft have also said they're putting a lot of effort into the hand-held PC experience, though I don't know how far along they are. Controller support is pretty universal these days. The software side really isn't as complex as you imagine.

Re:

[drinkypoo]

The special software that makes games run well on the Steam Deck is necessary because it runs Linux.

You can install Windows on it if you want, although that doesn't run particularly well there by most accounts.

If you put Windows on your own pc-based gaming handheld it will just run most games.

Thank you so much

[kyliewilliams]

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Hire that man!

[cygnusvis]

Framework needs to hire this man before he is scooped up by the compitition.

At what cost?

[TheJish]

Definitely a cool use of the Framework hardware, but as TFA points out, the Framework motherboard alone is more expensive than a Steam Deck. Hard to see much value in design around Framework's modular hardware if upgrade costs are the same as buying an entirely new device. How many people out there want to pay such a premium just to more easily customize a hand-held device?