Framework Desktop brings modular mini PC to living room

A modular mini PC aims to blend living room aesthetics with desktop gaming using upgradeable components and integrated graphics.

Framework Desktop Brings High End Mini PC to the Living Room

Framework's Desktop is a modular mini PC built for living room use. It ships with the motherboard, CPU and RAM installed, and you add storage, a cooling fan and the OS yourself. The front panel offers 21 tile slots and a range of expansion cards so you can customize ports and style. It uses AMD Ryzen AI Max CPUs and an integrated GPU, avoiding a discrete graphics card.

On the move and at the TV the device proved capable with up to 60 fps in some games when paired with AMD's Radeon Super Resolution or FSR. A 65 inch 4K TV test showed the graphics held up and the side exhaust kept the CPU cool without excessive noise. Setup costs start at 1099 dollars, with higher configurations up to 1999 dollars depending on RAM and CPU; the unit uses a standard power cable and can be moved between the office and the living room for shared use.

The Framework approach shows a growing appetite for modular, upgradeable PCs that fit into home entertainment spaces. It challenges the idea that a gaming PC must stay under a desk but the price tag makes it a niche product rather than a mass market device.

Pricing aside, the model tests whether consumers will accept paying more for long term upgradeability and personalized design. If the living room becomes a PC zone, developers and retailers may adjust content and hardware bundles accordingly. The risk remains whether buyers see enough value in tiles and panels when consoles offer simplicity.

Highlights

The modular path is visible, and the next step will be price parity and real world reliability.