Eurocom has begun taking orders for the Sky Z7 R2. It is a "mobile supercomputer" (read: laptop) with modular components that allow for DIY upgrades beyond the usual. In other words, in addition to RAM and storage, the CPU, GPU, and even the LCD panel can be replaced. Just don't expect to pack next-generation hardware into this one.

"The hardware components of the Eurocom Sky Z7 R2, including the CPU, GPU, RAM, storage, and LCD, are relatively easy to upgrade or replace them.

"The modular components significantly extend the life of the laptop over many years, preventing the need to purchase a new laptop every few years, which can happen with most laptops that use non-upgradable components. The company adds, "This prevents the cycle of having to buy a new laptop every few years, which can happen with most laptops that use non-upgradable components.

The Sky Z7 R2 is based on Intel's Z590 chipset for Rocket Lake and supports desktop-class processors. Eurocom's disclaimer regarding the chipset, in this case, boils down to socket LGA 1200; when Alder Lake arrives later this year, it will use the new LGA 1700 socket, making upgrades to next-generation CPUs impossible.

In short, if you start with the top CPU option, the Core i9 11900K, your CPU upgrade path will disappear. That is, unless Intel releases a higher-end Rocket Lake SKU, which is unlikely.

No matter how hard companies try, laptops cannot be upgraded to the same level as desktop PCs. Hence the disclaimer that upgrades must be "within the same chipset."

This is part of the reason Dell was sued in a class action lawsuit over the Alienware Area-51M R1 with a Z390 motherboard and Intel's 9th generation CPU. Dell had touted "unprecedented upgradeability" but changed sockets when Intel announced its 10th generation CPUs. The lawsuit alleges that Dell misled customers about Alienware's upgradeability. It remains to be seen what the outcome of this lawsuit will be.

As for the Sky Z7 R2, it is also not certain that it will be supported by the next generation of GPUs whenever they are introduced; Eurocom reports that the laptop has an MXM 3.1 V2.0 GPU that is upgradeable up to a GeForce RTX 3080, so this may be the limit.

That said, the fact that most parts are modular is at least nice. Buyers who opt for low-end components from the start can upgrade to a faster CPU or GPU when the need arises, or replace faulty parts rather than replacing the entire notebook.

But such luxuries come at a premium: the Sky Z7 R2 starts at $3,199 and includes a 17.3-inch display with a 300 Hz refresh rate, a Core i7 10700KF processor (using the same LGA 1200 socket as Rocket Lake, Comet Lake), GeForce RTX 3070 GPU, 16GB of DDR4-2666 RAM, and a 250GB Samsung 980 Pro SSD; add another $141 if you want Windows 10 Home installed.