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Framework Tablet

The Framework Tablet is a 3D-printable tablet case that converts a Framework Laptop 13 into a tablet form factor1. Created by Michael Armstrong (whatthefilament) in April 2022, it reuses as many OEM Framework parts as possible — mainboard, battery, speakers, Wi-Fi antenna, and expansion cards — paired with a 12.3-inch portable USB-C touchscreen display23. The project was featured by Framework on Twitter, covered by Hackaday, PC Gamer, Liliputing, PCWorld, and others14.

The thread was originally started by wylie_keeping in March 2022 as a concept discussion, before whatthefilament joined with a completed CAD design and physical prototype1.

Design​

The design philosophy is to reuse as many Framework Laptop components as possible, minimizing the number of off-the-shelf parts needed2:

  • Framework parts reused: Mainboard, battery, speakers, Wi-Fi antenna, expansion cards
  • External parts needed: 12.3-inch USB-C portable touchscreen display, USB-C 3.1 cable (power + data + input), 3D-printed case
  • Assembly: M3 heat-set inserts and screws throughout; iFixit-style assembly manual provided3

The case is a three-part sandwich construction (front bezel, middle layer, back plate) with ventilation for the CPU fan and cutouts for expansion card slots2.

Technical Specifications​

SpecificationDetails
Form FactorTablet (no keyboard)
Display12.3" USB-C portable touchscreen (1920×720 or similar)2
ComputeFramework Laptop 13 mainboard (any generation)2
BatteryFramework Laptop 13 stock battery2
SpeakersFramework stock speakers2
I/OFramework Expansion Cards (accessible from side)2
Wi-FiFramework Wi-Fi module + stock antenna (mounted in top of case)12
Case Size317.2 mm × 224 mm × 24.6 mm2
WeightUnder 5 lbs (~2.3 kg)1
Print MaterialASA or ABS recommended (heat resistance)2
Print Settings0.2 mm layer height, 0.4 mm nozzle, no supports needed2
Min. Printer Size~317 mm build area (printed on Voron 2.4 350 mm)2
Sourcewhatthefilament/Framework-Tablet (GitHub, GPL-3.0)2

Versions​

VersionDateChanges
V1.0April 2022Initial release with CAD design1
V1.1June 2022Improved printability and expansion card slot access1
V1.3August 2022Added battery support, speaker support, iFixit assembly manual, wall dock, and desktop dock13

Known Limitations​

  • No accelerometer — Framework mainboards lack an accelerometer, so there is no auto-screen-rotation. The display has a hardware rotation button as a workaround1
  • No digitizer for stock display — No capacitive touch overlay exists for the Framework's stock 13.5" display panel; an external USB-C touchscreen is required1
  • Thermal concerns — Printing in PLA risks deformation near the CPU; ASA or ABS is recommended, especially for the middle layer closest to the heat source12
  • Large print size — At 317 mm, the case exceeds the build volume of many common 200×200 mm printers2
  • Power button — The Framework power button is on the mainboard; the case design must accommodate external access1

Media Coverage​

The project received significant media attention after the V1.3 release in August 202214:

  • Hackaday — "Build A Tablet Out Of Your Framework Motherboard"4
  • PC Gamer — "Modder shows how to transform the Framework laptop into a tablet"4
  • Liliputing — "You can transform Framework's modular laptop into a tablet (unofficially)"4
  • PCWorld — "Turn Framework's DIY laptop into a tablet with these 3D printing instructions"4
  • Framework — Officially shared on Twitter, calling it a "Monthly Mod"1

Footnotes​

  1. Framework Tablet Project — Framework Community (wylie_keeping, whatthefilament, March 2022 – August 2025) ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8 ↩9 ↩10 ↩11 ↩12 ↩13 ↩14 ↩15 ↩16

  2. whatthefilament/Framework-Tablet — GitHub (GPL-3.0) ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8 ↩9 ↩10 ↩11 ↩12 ↩13 ↩14 ↩15 ↩16

  3. Framework Tablet Assembly Manual — Instructables ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  4. Build A Tablet Out Of Your Framework Motherboard — Hackaday (August 2022) ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6