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The Framework Laptop is now shipping

frame.work

391–400 of 785 posts

Re: The Framework Laptop is now shipping

#391
post #354

Great initiative, but who decided to put the user-hostile return/backslash keys together? Key gaps exist for a reason, and it's especially important on certain keys.

I believe this is to accomodate for ISO layouts. They build one chassis which is compatible ANSI and ISO.

Re: The Framework Laptop is now shipping

#392
post #286

This device is seriously the answer to all my laptop problems. I really like the form factor of the XPS 13, but now I'm stuck with the complete inability to upgrade RAM. In what universe is that normal? Then I accidentally nuked the USB-C ports on the left side when it got wet, and now I'm left with a single port for everything, including charging. What!? Why? I tore the entire thing apart and there's just no way to…

> In what universe is that normal? In a universe where you want high-performance energy efficient RAM. Premium ultracompact laptops have long moved to LPDDR which is both faster and consumes significantly less energy than regular modular DDR. And LPDDR does not come in DIMMs. And then you have Apple who are using custom package technology with custom RAM chips to cut down RAM power consumption to under one watt activ…

The problem is not that the chip is soldered, but that you can't buy it. Soldering BGA is not that difficult.

Re: The Framework Laptop is now shipping

#393
post #378

Earlier quoted context omitted.

New phones are water proof now which is something that modularity generally doesn’t allow.

I never had a need for water-proof phone. I am not diving or bathing with the phone...

Sure, but the reason they're nice to have for that one time that an accident occurs, whether a drink is spilled or you drop it in the sink or whatever.

It's a pleasant nice to have if it is waterproof.

Re: The Framework Laptop is now shipping

#394
post #249
post #242

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thank you for this! I love the colored bezels, even if it's not much, it's one of those little things that make a difference. Any plans to sell in Europe (Italy)?

Yes. We have the necessary certifications for Europe, and are working through setting up keyboard languages, fulfillment, support, and everything else we will need to have to be successful there.

Great to hear! Checkout page request: please make it so you can buy a different keyboard than your shipping address/locale, in case that's not already on your roadmap.

Apple/Lenovo let you spec an “English International” (ISO) keyboard even if you're shipping to Germany/Austria, for example, so that you're not forced to buy QWERTZ.

Re: The Framework Laptop is now shipping

#395
post #286

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> In what universe is that normal? In a universe where you want high-performance energy efficient RAM. Premium ultracompact laptops have long moved to LPDDR which is both faster and consumes significantly less energy than regular modular DDR. And LPDDR does not come in DIMMs. And then you have Apple who are using custom package technology with custom RAM chips to cut down RAM power consumption to under one watt activ…

Why is it that you can't have this with socketed RAM? Is there a physical limitation?

I have absolutely no idea, but I guess the bus to the processor and other periphery could indeed be a weak point because of EM-interference. We have absolutely crazy data rates here and therefore very high frequency signals so proximity between components might indeed matter.

That said, manufacturers have huge ambition to not allow for modular design.

Re: The Framework Laptop is now shipping

#396
post #345
post #286

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> In what universe is that normal? In a universe where you want high-performance energy efficient RAM. Premium ultracompact laptops have long moved to LPDDR which is both faster and consumes significantly less energy than regular modular DDR. And LPDDR does not come in DIMMs. And then you have Apple who are using custom package technology with custom RAM chips to cut down RAM power consumption to under one watt activ…

> In a universe where you want high-performance energy efficient RAM [.....] You simply can’t have this with socketed RAM. You make it sound like a prerequisite. I'm pretty sure the reason LPDDR is Low Power is not due to (currently) being unavailable in socketed modules - that would seem to be a side-effect of the original target market (smart phones). They are just some BGA packages, I see no reason they couldn't b…

LPDDR is low power because it is a more sophisticated device with more complex protocol compared to regular DDR, because it has a higher pinout allowing it to have a more efficient electrical connection and because the computer manufacturer can optimize the connection with specific chips in mind instead of having to support a wide range of devices.

I think the number of pins is a practical limitation. Current DDR DIMMs use 260-280 pins if I remember correctly, while an average LPDDR4X BGA package is 400 balls or higher. Apple uses chips with 877 balls. It is definitely possible to design modular RAM with high-pinout, but would it be economically feasible?

Re: The Framework Laptop is now shipping

#397
post #228
post #140

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Major thumbs-up for AMD chip. With a replaceable main board, this will be a dream. I ordered a framework laptop at its highest CPU+RAM spec and can't wait to replace my 6 years old ThinkPad x250 with it. EDIT: would also add that the open source design USB-C based side modules are amazing - looking forward to designing my own modules.

Thanks! We're looking forward to seeing the modules everyone develops, and we're excited to get new mainboards out in the future.

+1 for seeing AMD chip in it, please go for it!

Re: The Framework Laptop is now shipping

#398
post #288

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Realistically 99% of the corporate and consumer laptops I have been party to are built to order with the right amount of RAM in and never upgraded. Those of us who actually upgrade are an insignificant minority at this point or pulling them out of the ex corp recycling lifecycle. Another point is stuff that is soldered in is a lot more reliable as a whole. Amazing how many old machines can be resurrected by reseating…

The Framework's ports are all on user-selectable, replaceable expansion modules. If one of the USB-C ports dies, you just unplug it and install a new one.

What happens if the expansion port itself becomes damaged? Would you need to change out the motherboard?

Re: The Framework Laptop is now shipping

#399
post #112

Earlier quoted context omitted.

+1, please consider offering this. A track point and 3 real buttons are so much nicer than a trackpad. At least to some of us. ThinkPads success seems to indicate there are a lot of us.

A touchpad with buttons is something that we have explored, and is in theory a replacement module we can create. Inserting a track point would be much more challenging from a cost and engineering feasibility standpoint. We may have underestimated the level of interest around track point...

Joining the chorus of those asking for a trackpoint equivalent and a larger gamut screen option. Love what you're doing and would buy today if those two issues were addressed.
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