Mattbook
Mattbook is an ultra-portable computer (UMPC) built around a Framework Laptop 13 mainboard, developed by community member 2disbetter (Matt) in collaboration with hardware designer Penk Chen — known for the Penkesu Computer, Mainboard Terminal, and Rasti Computer1. The project packs a full Framework 13 mainboard with a 13th-gen Intel i7-1370P, 64 GB of DDR4 RAM, and a 1 TB NVMe SSD into a paperback-sized CNC aluminium enclosure measuring 265 × 152 × 56 mm1.
The project has been in development for nearly two years. The design and all associated software will be open-sourced when complete, with the possibility of offering kits for purchase1.
Hardware
Enclosure
The Mattbook uses a fully CNC-machined aluminium enclosure with a black anodized finish. The aluminium body also serves as a heatsink — the bottom layer acts as a large thermal mass for the battery, keeping it under 42 °C in ambient temperatures of 18–25 °C1.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 265 × 152 × 56 mm (paperback-sized) |
| Material | CNC aluminium, black anodized |
| Keyboard layer | PLA (plastic, for Wi-Fi/BT signal propagation) |
| Hinges | Framework 13 hinges |
| Carrying case | Pelican case (included in design) |
The keyboard layer is deliberately made from PLA plastic rather than aluminium to allow Wi-Fi and Bluetooth signals to propagate. The finished version will have an aluminium skeleton with plastic covers and hinge covers1.
Internals
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Mainboard | Framework Laptop 13 (13th-gen Intel Core i7-1370P) |
| RAM | 64 GB DDR4 |
| Storage | 1 TB NVMe SSD |
| Battery | Framework 13 61 Wh |
| Wi-Fi / Bluetooth | Framework 13 module |
| Display | 10.1" Waveshare touchscreen (10-finger touch, HDMI input) |
| USB-C ports | 2 exposed on left side (with magnetic connectors) |
| Expansion cards | None — space constraints prevent use |
Keyboard
The keyboard is a fully custom design by Penk Chen, built around an RP2040 microcontroller. All keys including the power button use Kailh Choc low-profile mechanical switches for a fully mechanical and repairable keyboard1.
A function layer is built into the keyboard firmware that enables mouse emulation — the arrow keys become scroll keys and the spacebar becomes a right-click when the function key is held. This gives three methods of cursor input on the Mattbook: touchscreen, mini-trackball, and keyboard mouse layer1.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Controller | RP2040 |
| Switches | Kailh Choc low-profile |
| Power button | Kailh Choc switch (same as keyboard keys) |
| Power LED | Provided by RP2040 keyboard controller |
| Status indicator | LED shows system power state |
| Mouse input | Mini-trackball between spacebar sections |
| Function layer | Arrow keys = scroll, Spacebar = right-click (with Fn held) |
Connectivity
Two of the Framework 13 mainboard's USB-C ports are exposed on the left side using magnetic connectors to minimize mechanical stress on the mainboard ports. Since no Framework Expansion Cards are used, the ports lack the physical protection the expansion card system provides1.
Planned additions include1:
- Right-side USB-C port (using the third mainboard USB-C port, protected by the enclosure)
- Display control panel (expose Waveshare display controls with physical buttons)
- 3.5 mm audio jack
- Additional USB ports (USB-A and/or USB-C, still being determined)
- Single-colour keyboard backlight
The keyboard, trackball, and power button connect to the mainboard via Framework's publicly documented custom breakout connector1.
Thermal Management
Thermal management was the biggest challenge in the sandwich-style design. The primary concern was keeping the battery under 55 °C to prevent degradation and swelling1.
Evolution of Thermal Solutions
Phase 1 — Reduced Power Profile (Windows 11)
A custom Windows 11 power profile limited performance cores to 60% and efficiency cores to 50%, with turbo boost disabled. This kept temperatures under 52 °C for light workloads but could not handle intensive tasks like compiling or Windows Update. Performance remained usable for daily work with 6 workspaces and ~15 programs open1.
A BIOS update later relaxed the fan curve, making this reduced-power approach ineffective1.
Phase 2 — Custom Fan Control Software
Using an EC driver provided by Framework's DHowett that works with Secure Boot enabled, 2disbetter wrote a custom monitoring program that reads CPU temperatures and adjusts the fan speed accordingly. This keeps temperatures under 45 °C even under moderate load, allowing use of the standard balanced power profile without limiting CPU cores. Compiling, gaming, and other intensive tasks are no longer a concern1.
The software also provides manual fan duty cycle shortcuts — if the automatic control is not aggressive enough, users can override it. The monitoring program will still intervene if temperatures rise, ensuring safe operation1.
Phase 3 — Qt-based Linux Fan Controller
A Qt-based Linux fan controller was also created, using ectool for fan control. Both the Windows and Linux fan control tools will be open-sourced alongside the Mattbook design1.
The final thermal performance is such that the Mattbook runs cooler on average than the stock Framework 13 or Framework 121.
Sleep State
The Mattbook was initially configured to use S3 sleep (rather than S0 "modern standby"). An S0 bug was later fixed, making S0 usable on the Mattbook as well1.
Software
Fan Control
Both Windows and Linux fan control applications were developed specifically for the Mattbook. The Windows version runs as a system tray application with manual duty cycle controls. The Linux version is Qt-based and uses ectool1.
Supported Operating Systems
The Mattbook runs both Windows 11 and Linux. 2disbetter used OpenMandriva (7 months) and Fedora (3 months) during development — both had better power management for naturally keeping temperatures down. Touch, audio, suspend, and hibernation all work on Linux1.
Companion Software
Several companion applications were developed during the Mattbook project and are available on 2disbetter's GitHub2:
| Project | Description |
|---|---|
| BattView | Qt Linux app showing battery percentage and status |
| BattPop | Windows task tray battery status with toast notifications |
| MattWord | Lightweight Qt document editor |
Collaborator: Penk Chen
Penk Chen is a hardware designer and self-described digital nomad known for several open-source Framework mainboard projects13:
| Project | Description |
|---|---|
| Penkesu Computer | Retro handheld PC powered by Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W with 7.9" display and 48-key mechanical keyboard3 |
| Mainboard Terminal | Retro-style computer with 5" round LCD powered by Framework Mainboard (831 stars, MIT license)4 |
| Rasti Computer | GRiD Compass-inspired laptop with 10.4" touchscreen and custom mechanical keyboard, powered by Framework components (236 stars)5 |
| CutiePi Tablet | Commercial open-source Raspberry Pi tablet |
Penk designed the Mattbook's custom keyboard and collaborated on the overall hardware design1.
Related Projects
| Project | Description |
|---|---|
| Mainboard Terminal | Penk Chen's retro Framework mainboard terminal4 |
| Rasti Computer | Penk Chen's GRiD Compass-inspired Framework laptop5 |
| Framework Tablet | 3D-printable tablet case for Framework Laptop mainboard |
| Beth Deck | Framework mainboard-based handheld gaming PC |
| MNT Pocket Reform | Open-hardware UMPC (ARM-based) |
| DeepComputing DC-ROMA | RISC-V mainboards compatible with Framework Laptop 13 form factor |
Status
The project is still in active development as of October 2025. The keyboard layer, additional ports, and final case refinements are being completed. The design and all software will be open-sourced on GitHub when finished. The possibility of offering assembly kits is being considered based on community interest1.
Technical Details
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Creator | 2disbetter (Matt), with Penk Chen |
| Development time | ~2 years (as of July 2025) |
| Community thread | 11 replies, July 20251 |
| Open source | Planned (not yet released) |
| Kit availability | Under consideration |