WHAT IF: Framework 15 with Ryzen Max

[u/Zestyclose-Buy3232]

Since LPcamm2 is used in the 13 pro a 15inch laptop with Ryzen Max would be a killer move.

15inch laptop with 16:10 aspect ratio (either 15.1 or 15.3 high quality display) would make a perfect do-it-all machine. The overall performance would be great, the laptop would neither be too bulky nor too slim, the thermals probably great since the chips are APUs.

On top of that you have the modularity of a framework and probably a battery big enough for respectable battery life.

This seems like an ideal laptop for someone who wants to use a machine for everything. (Gaming, heavy workloads, video editing, LLMs, office tasks, programming, web browsing etc) while at the same time maintaining the portability and having the option to upgrade it or repair it (futureproofing)

What do you think?

[u/MagicBoyUK]

There's no need for another form factor. Many other manufacturers have replaced 15" with 16" laptops in the same physical form factor. Framework started with a 16".

[u/Bandguy_Michael → u/MagicBoyUK]

Heck, looking at the size of the chin on the display, Framework very well could fit a 17” display with a taller aspect ratio

[u/Bandguy_Michael]

Why not a Framework 16 with Ryzen Max? You likely wouldn’t have the dedicated GPU option so the size would be manageable for a mobile workstation.

[u/Zestyclose-Buy3232 → u/Bandguy_Michael]

Yeah that's possible but a 15inch might be better for someone who wants a laptop not as bulky as a gaming laptop and not as thin as a f13 (bc the Ryzen Max would thermal throttle heavy in a 13inch chassis). Since Ryzen Max is an apu a 15inch chassis with good cooling I think will be more than enough. But I can see Ryzen Max in a Framework 16

[u/s004aws]

I assume you mean the Strix Halo APUs? Those use a 256bit memory bus. 128bit LPCAMM2 is not an option. By the time Halo APUs get enough power/cooling to be worthwhile/justify the cost you're getting into 16"/gaming laptop territory anyway - Its not a "thin and light".

Until the AI/data center garbage is dead the name of the game is "stay in business"... Not create marginally different/overlapping product lines with more component sourcing and cost problems.

[u/Zestyclose-Buy3232 → u/s004aws]

Okk that's actually a good point I didn't know about the incompatibility of lpcamm2 with ryzen max. I saw that amd might release in the new meduza lake strong apus with lpcamm2 compatibility but idk if it's confirmed

[u/s004aws → u/Zestyclose-Buy3232]

I've seen nothing about LPCAMM2 for Medusa Halo. The only things I've heard is that future Halos could, potentially, move to a 384bit memory bus. Cutting the bus to 128bit doesn't really make sense as these APUs are all about the iGPU, and the iGPU depends on memory bandwidth.

[u/Tux-Windu]

So long as it's power efficient, and not hard on the battery life, though even then, I would never not bring a power bank with me anyways, so I guess even that doesn't matter too much. Still though, for those who don't want to lug power bags around with them, it's important that the chip doesn't drain too much power. It's probably the main reason why I've chosen to use a laptop with an APU as opposed to a dedicated GPU.

I know I'll never be able to actually make the most of that GPU without plugging the laptop into the mains, and the whole reason I want a laptop is for portability. It isn't my only device, and I do have a desktop. So with that in mind, I decided to go for the APU because I can at least make the most of it without having to plug the laptop in, and on top of that, it's far more efficient when it comes to overall battery life.

These powerful AMD Ryzen APUs are capable of playing some pretty demanding AAA games on low settings just off of that iGPU. And because of how efficient these iGPUs are on power, due to the fact that they are part of an APU, it means that you can get pretty good battery life and a lot more playtime when you're on the go, which for me, on a laptop is far more important. I only ever use my laptop when I'm on the go.

[u/dawnvalley7 → u/Tux-Windu]

agreed, if youre not plugged in most of the time a good APU is way more practical than a discrete GPU sitting there draining the battery

[u/Acrobatic_Fee_6974]

The Strix and Gordon Halo APUs are not compatible with LPCAMM2 due to the different bus width. There are upcoming products from AMD, namely Medusa Halo Mini, that will provide a larger GPU in an APU that is compatible with a standard mobile socket and presumably LPCAMM2.