Framework Preps its Laptop 16 Model for 240 W USB-C PD Charging

[T0@st]

Framework has been going in-depth with the hyping up of its latest "Laptop 16" model - the modular hardware specialist has issued a new blog post this week that focuses on a "brand new custom high-efficiency 180 W USB-C power adapter," co-developed with Chicony. This unit is touted as a significant upgrade over the existing 60 W model that is bundled with their Laptop 13 system - Nirav Patel, Framework's CEO and co-founder explains: "The (180 W) adapter body is just 116.6 x 58.2 x 27 mm, and the enclosure is made of 30% post-consumer-recycled plastic. That's exactly the thickness and depth and twice the length of our 60 W power adapter, while outputting 3x higher wattage. Pretty incredible! Our PFC plus asymmetrical half-bridge flyback architecture uses ON Semi NCP1622 and JoulWatt JW1556 controllers along with latest generation GaN switching parts from both GaN Systems and Navitas, peaking at an amazing 93% efficiency."

The Framework Laptop 16 has some hidden potential according to Patel - he reveals that this flagship model is now future-proofed with support for 240 W power adapters: "We needed to solve for the tricky task of creating an adapter small and portable enough to be a great fit for the Framework Laptop 16 in an integrated graphics configuration while also outputting enough power to handle the Graphics Module with a discrete GPU. 180 W covers the majority of use cases while still being extremely compact. If you have a Graphics Module installed, set your OS to maximum performance mode, and run a sustained heavy load, it is possible to draw from the battery while plugged in. If that doesn't sound like a good tradeoff to you, the Framework Laptop 16 supports 240 W USB PD 3.1 power adapters too, so you can configure your DIY Edition without a power adapter and bring your own 240 W one instead."




Patel expects competitors to play catch-up, he told the Verge: "We haven't seen other 180 W and 240 W USB-PD 3.1 power adapters announced yet, but since the silicon to enable these is now available, we anticipate peripheral brands launching these soon." It is interesting that he has not outright confirmed that Framework is creating a 240 W adapter, but logic dictates that marketing efforts are best spent promoting the 2023 model and matching accessories. He continues: "Historically, USB-C power adapters have been limited to 100 W. We've been able to make a 180 W USB-C power adapter by using the new USB PD 3.1 EPR standard through a Weltrend WT6676F controller, enabling up to 36 V / 5 A output. USB-C enables both flexibility and re-use. You can plug the adapter into either side of the Framework Laptop 16, and you can use it to power any other USB-C device you have on hand too."

His blog post concludes: "Beyond reducing environmental impact through efficiency and recycled materials, we've enabled longevity by making both the 2 m USB-C and 1 m AC cables removable, letting you swap a cable if your cat chews through it. Remember to use a USB-C cable that supports EPR voltages, otherwise you'll be limited to 20 V / 3 A or 20 V / 5 A. EPR cables have an e-marker chip inside that lets the system ensure it can safely handle both the voltage and current requirements. The AC cable uses the same common IEC C5 connector we used on the 60 W adapter, and we have Type B (US/CA/TW/JP), Type G (UK/IE), Type F (EU/KR), and Type I (AU/NZ) versions available. We're excited to continue powering your right to upgrade, customize, and repair your devices, this time with 180 watts! We have a bunch of additional detail to share about the Framework Laptop 16 on the path to opening pre-orders, so look out for the next post soon."

View at TechPowerUp Main Site | Source

 

[bonehead123]

"Scotty, we need moar POWAH !"

As long as they can guarantee that these things and their cables won't melt down in the middle of the night, bring it !

 

[simlariver]

usb-C connectors aren'T that reliable imo

 

[trsttte]

run a sustained heavy load, it is possible to draw from the battery while plugged in. If that doesn't sound like a good tradeoff to you, the Framework Laptop 16 supports 240 W USB PD 3.1 power adapters too

Too bad those don't exist yet (as he mentioned further down). As predictable as it might be that they're also working on their own 240W solution I think they should have released/announced it together, or at least be honest and say "we're going to have one at X time"

 

[Tek-Check]

usb-C connectors aren'T that reliable imo

You can buy USB IF certified cable with ERP chips inside. What else would you like as indicator of reliability when entire European Union market has mandated the use of PD standard over USB-C cables? That's the solution for 550 million people. Still not good enough?

Too bad those don't exist yet (as he mentioned further down). As predictable as it might be that they're also working on their own 240W solution I think they should have released/announced it together, or at least be honest and say "we're going to have one at X time"

That was not necessary at this point of time. Is it not enough that they are the industry leader in adopting the PD 3.1 ERP standard and design modular laptops?

 

[trsttte]

That was not necessary at this point of time. Is it not enough that they are the industry leader in adopting the PD 3.1 ERP standard and design modular laptops?

Draining from the battery under heavy usage is not a good solution no matter how common it got on brands like dell, hp or lenovo. It's great they are pushing forward with ERP and being the first to do so but there's still room to do better.

 

[Deleted member 231663]

You can buy USB IF certified cable with ERP chips inside. What else would you like as indicator of reliability when entire European Union market has mandated the use of PD standard over USB-C cables? That's the solution for 550 million people. Still not good enough?


That was not necessary at this point of time. Is it not enough that they are the industry leader in adopting the PD 3.1 ERP standard and design modular laptops?

To be fair the solution implemented by the USB-IF counsel is just a group of 47 people with their HQ in Oregon, US who represent tech companies throughout the world

So USB-C is more of a "trust me bro" $olution than one decided for and brought about by the "people"; basically the complete opposite of what you assumed and then proceeded to goad another forum member for.

 

[trsttte]

To be fair the solution implemented by the USB-IF counsel is just a group of 47 people with their HQ in Oregon, US who represent tech companies throughout the world

So USB-C is more of a "trust me bro" $olution than one decided for and brought about by the "people";

That's not true, there's multiple companies involved in the development of the standard and it's not like they just decided "fuck it, usb probably can handle that power, should be fine", there was extensive development before launching the standard and even active ID chips on the cables to make sure everything is on the up and up

 

[GhostRyder]

I am super excited for this laptop, I really like the idea of being able to put a higher video card in it down the line when I need to upgrade (Along with upgrading the CPU even further down the line). I cannot wait till we here more and get pre-orders open.

I like the idea of having these one size fits all charging platform with USB-C if (BIG IF) they can guarantee reliability of the cable.

 

[Tek-Check]

So USB-C is more of a "trust me bro" $olution than one decided for and brought about by the "people";

If you look into dictionary, you will find that the word reliability is initimately linked to the word trust. One cannot work without the other, in any walk of life.

If you hear in news in 2026 that entire Europe exploaded, you will know it was USB-C power cable genocide orchestrated in HQ in Oregon. ;-)

 

[Deleted member 231663]

That's not true, there's multiple companies involved in the development of the standard and it's not like they just decided "fuck it, usb probably can handle that power, should be fine", there was extensive development before launching the standard and even active ID chips on the cables to make sure everything is on the up and up

Correct, 47 people who represent the companies they work for. You think the thousands of people employed by Microsoft, Apple, IBM, HP, Intel, etc all voted and had a say in the matter? LOLOLOL

 

[trsttte]

Correct, 47 people who represent the companies they work for. You think the thousands of people employed by Microsoft, Apple, IBM, HP, Intel, etc all voted and had a say in the matter? LOLOLOL

I don't know if you're intentionally just trying to derail the conversation or are just clueless about how things work, there are multiple rounds of design and verification, both of the connector, cable and end-point devices (like the pd controller chips or display port multiplexing or anything that will interact with the cable) before the standard gets anywhere near finallized or aproved with multiple engineering teams chiming in and commenting on the solution, proposing alternatives and so on and on and on. Before any aproval, the companies involved will also see how can they scew things in their favour (i.e. how Intel crippled USB4 to not undermine their proprietary thunderbolt solution). This is not 47 random dummies voting to aprove something but whatever, if you don't get it you don't get it

 

[Deleted member 231663]

This is not 47 random dummies voting to aprove something but whatever, if you don't get it you don't get it

You're the one saying they are random though, I stated they are from said companies.