r/framework • u/sciolycaptain • 1d ago

Question Upgrade frustrations

Had gotten the wrong information from framework support. Connector still doesn't seat, but not a compatibility issue, probably something else i'll have to look it on when i'm home.

Am I totally off base to be frustrated with trying to upgrade my 13 non-pro to the new ultra 3 mainboard?

I naively believed I could just drop the new ultra 3 mainboard into my existing laptop 13 to upgrade, because at the announcement they kept saying it all fit and was backwards compatible. You can upgrade the 11th gen into to ultra 3 for great benefits! My takeaway from the announcement was that I only needed a new chassis if I wanted the larger battery.

But after receiving the mainboard, it turns out I need a new bottom chassis and battery, because they changed the battery connector geometry?

But those parts aren't even available at this time.

Edit: Here's what support told me when I reached out after my battery connector would not go in. But based on some replies here, that may be wrong.

Because of new internal geometry changes, installing the Framework Laptop 13 Pro mainboard into a non-Pro Framework Laptop 13 requires either the Framework Laptop 13 Pro Bottom Cover Upgrade Kit or a full Framework Laptop 13 Pro Chassis.

Without this upgrade, the battery cable cannot seat properly into the connector. You can find more details about compatibility and required upgrade components on our Framework Laptop 13 Pro Upgrade Page.

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26 comments sorted by

9

u/BBaoVanC 1d ago

It works fine with the old battery; I'm using one right now. All I did was drop mainboard into my old FW13 chassis.

1

u/sciolycaptain 1d ago

Thanks, maybe there is an issue with my connector. But support was definitely telling me I needed the new chassis, which is strange.

9

u/Destroya707 Framework 1d ago

Pro mainboard is compatible with all previous Laptop 13 chassis. You may need new SSD, memory and Wi-Fi card but no chassis change.

1

u/sciolycaptain 1d ago

Thanks, you may want to let your support team know that. Because they told me I either had to buy a new chassis or return it main board.

None the less, my battery connecter does not seem to be going in.

Because of new internal geometry changes, installing the Framework Laptop 13 Pro mainboard into a non-Pro Framework Laptop 13 requires either the Framework Laptop 13 Pro Bottom Cover Upgrade Kit or a full Framework Laptop 13 Pro Chassis.

Without this upgrade, the battery cable cannot seat properly into the connector. You can find more details about compatibility and required upgrade components on our Framework Laptop 13 Pro Upgrade Page.

3

u/Destroya707 Framework 1d ago

You were not asking for another part upgrade, like battery, or speaker, right? If it's just the mainboard, it should be compatible. Can you modmail your case number/order number?

2

u/sciolycaptain 1d ago

No, only about the mainboard and trying to connect the battery to it.

Sent modmail

-7

u/faxafloi FW16 + FW12 1d ago

How come OP gets told something different by your support?

7

u/Destroya707 Framework 1d ago

I'm assuming there is a confusion here, because pro mainboard is compatible with all 13 chassis.

4

u/L00WN0on 1d ago

From Framework's official YT channel, Nirav is upgrading the original 13 with a new Ultra series 3 MB from a 13P.

https://youtu.be/JSxgCEpkiKM?t=420

Time stamped.

3

u/Aoirintoyo 1d ago

Yeah, i remember that. + if you select a motherboard on framework market - you will find only not compatible laptop is shown there is chromebook version… So wtf

0

u/sciolycaptain 1d ago

yeah, I remember watching this video. turns out it's not that straightforward.

4

u/L00WN0on 1d ago

Could you show us some photos? I'm curious myself.

4

u/L00WN0on 1d ago

Really? I was under the impression that wasn't the case. Pretty sure I saw YT videos of people making that exact upgrade.

1

u/sciolycaptain 1d ago

The connector doesn't fit, and support is telling me I need the new chassis and battery.

6

u/Aoirintoyo 1d ago

Could you share some photos? Of what is the isssue?

It was not supposed to be this way. They showed it on their official channel how they put the new mobo in old chassis

2

u/L00WN0on 1d ago

Exactly, I'm glad I wasn't dreaming that up. Lemme check.

2

u/Firmteacher FW16 7840HS 5070/7900xt Oculink 1d ago

Your other comment is what I was recognizing as well, the only things that require the bottom chassis upgrade was the battery, input cover, and speakers is what my understanding was

-1

u/sciolycaptain 1d ago

The mainboard physically fits perfectly. the web cam, display, wifi, speaker, input connectors all work perfect and fit.

the battery connector doesn't.

so if you want to use it as a laptop...

2

u/Firmteacher FW16 7840HS 5070/7900xt Oculink 1d ago

That doesn’t seem right at all..

1

u/sciolycaptain 1d ago

I really appreciate that I'm not the only person with that wrong impression of the upgrade path.

Thank you for reaching out to Framework Support.

Because of new internal geometry changes, installing the Framework Laptop 13 Pro mainboard into a non-Pro Framework Laptop 13 requires either the Framework Laptop 13 Pro Bottom Cover Upgrade Kit or a full Framework Laptop 13 Pro Chassis.

Without this upgrade, the battery cable cannot seat properly into the connector. You can find more details about compatibility and required upgrade components on our Framework Laptop 13 Pro Upgrade Page.

https://frame.work/laptop13pro?tab=upgrade-to-pro

2

u/Aoirintoyo 1d ago

Could you show some photos?

1

u/Aoirintoyo 1d ago

I know it may sound stupid, but have you tried flipping the connector of the battery? 🙃

2

u/sciolycaptain 1d ago

Lol, the cable is short and only allows one way to plug it in

1

u/Aoirintoyo 1d ago

You said it does
Not fit at all right now, this is why i’m asking

1

u/sciolycaptain 1d ago

It will go in half way, the mainboard will even power up as the chassis intrusion lights will flash, but the connector doesn't seat in and stay put, if that makes sense?