Remember when Framework introduced a laptop where you could easily swap out its entire internal video card? Now, the company has taken this concept further with its OCuLink Dev Kit, allowing users to turn their Framework Laptop 16’s GPU modules into external ones or plug in a desktop graphics card for enhanced performance.

This setup isn’t for the casual user; you’ll need to power down your laptop before plugging or unplugging the OCuLink port. Framework CEO Nirav Patel tells The Verge that it’s “not like Thunderbolt where it’s a simple plug-and-play solution.” It’s designed for tech enthusiasts and power users who want to boost their laptop’s performance, but at the cost of convenience.

The OCuLink standard offers significant benefits by providing a direct link between your CPU and an external GPU. However, it comes with limitations: OCuLink connectors are not particularly robust, only transmit PCIe data (no USB or power for your laptop), and generally can’t be hotplugged. Users are advised to shut down their laptops before making any changes.

Framework’s Dev Kit is intentionally barebones to keep costs low. They provide the necessary GPU adapters but leave it up to you to bring your own desktop computer power supply or 3D-print a docking stand. The company has released design files for this purpose, allowing users to create their own solutions. Framework plans to release these components later in the year, and they are not limited to their Laptop 16 model; other OCuLink-compatible devices like mini-PCs can also benefit.

Theoretically, a Thunderbolt eGPU connection might offer more utility, but most laptops that could use an external GPU don’t have Thunderbolt 5 ports. For those who need the PCIe x16 connection, there’s CopprLink, though it comes with its own set of challenges.