Intel's modular designs could make your next laptop last longer, but probably won't deliver the holy grail of cheap GPU upgrades
The idea of a properly modular, easily upgradable PC is nothing new. After all, Framework has built a business on modular laptops. But it hasn't gained widespread currency. Maybe now it will thanks to a new modular PC push from none other than Intel.
In a blog post last week, Intel bigged up the idea of modularity on the PC, both for desktops and laptops, though it's the latter that's arguably the most interesting.
Intel argues that a lack of modularity increases waste, drives up costs and makes it harder for us poor old end users to repair our computers. «In the increasingly digital world, e-waste is a growing problem. Every year, over 60+ Million tons of e-waste is generated with less than 25% collected, » Intel says, adding that, «with low recovery and repair rates, consumer activists and environmental groups worldwide have been actively lobbying for the right-to-repair.»
The solution according to Intel is a new modular approach that supports upgrades, customisations and repairs. If it all sound familiar, that's because Framework's laptop adhere to very much the same philosophy. You can buy them today and they've been on sale since 2021.
Indeed, Framework welcomes Intel's new platform, telling us, «Intel regularly publishes reference designs for use by notebook OEMs, including past designs that have had multi-board and modular architectures. What's great this time is the acknowledgement that it's not just for manufacturing optimization, but something that enables consumers to use their products for longer too.»
So, Intel properly putting its weight behind the idea would be a serious game changer. Along with making things better once you've bought a system, Intel says the approach could make PCs cheaper to buy in the first place.
By building PCs and laptops in particular from a relatively limited number of modular internal components, they can be made more cheaply, engineered more quickly and offered at a lower cost.
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