Live data from Hacker News

Linux on the Framework Laptop

frame.work

251–260 of 267 posts

Re: Linux on the Framework Laptop

#251

I am currently using the DIY version running Ubuntu. I absolutely love this laptop. It had been awhile since I built a computer (let alone a laptop). The DIY kit instructions and the construction of the machine itself are very well thought out. I am very excited for a future where we can measure the lifespan of our personal electronics in decades rather than months. Congrats to the Framework team!

What's the build quality like?

Exceptional. My work machine is a Lenovo X1 and IMO the Framework approaches that machine in build quality and fit/finish while being infinitely more user serviceable. It's really impressive.

Re: Linux on the Framework Laptop

#252

I am currently using the DIY version running Ubuntu. I absolutely love this laptop. It had been awhile since I built a computer (let alone a laptop). The DIY kit instructions and the construction of the machine itself are very well thought out. I am very excited for a future where we can measure the lifespan of our personal electronics in decades rather than months. Congrats to the Framework team!

How's the battery life?

Just okay. With tuning I'm at 8-ish hours casual browsing with low screen brightness. IIRC this puts it in the same league as the XPS 13 but miles behind an X1 or MacBook.

Re: Linux on the Framework Laptop

#253

I am currently using the DIY version running Ubuntu. I absolutely love this laptop. It had been awhile since I built a computer (let alone a laptop). The DIY kit instructions and the construction of the machine itself are very well thought out. I am very excited for a future where we can measure the lifespan of our personal electronics in decades rather than months. Congrats to the Framework team!

what about the fans? Many reviews online say that the fans spins frequently and are a bit loud. Also, did you find any issue on the output of dmesg?

I've had little to no fan noise unless I'm deliberately driving the machine hard (i.e. building a kernel). But if they do spin all the way up it's a jet engine.

Re: Linux on the Framework Laptop

#254

I don't envy laptop manufactuerers. "I would buy it if it had a non-chiclet keyboard" "I would buy it if it had a dedicated GPU." "I would buy it if they had an AMD option." "I would buy it if it were cheaper than similar models from huge established corporations." "I would buy it if they figured out the tax and import laws for every country so they could ship it anywhere in the world." "I would buy it if it didn't h…

Ugh, I know. There's a bizarre number of folks right in the Framework forums explaining how they didn't buy a unit but they would if .

The interesting thing about the Framework is conceptually some of this they can do with just module options or aftermarket components. Trackpoints or different keyboard layouts, different switch styles, different mainboards, etc, could all just be an option in the future since they can sell a kit of parts rather than having to build and sell a range of product lines.

Re: Linux on the Framework Laptop

#255
post #175
post #67

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How do you deal with the screen resolution? Do you have to run it at 1.5x? And, if so, what's the fractional scaling experience like?

I'm running gnome 40 on arch/Wayland and ended up settling on 2x window scaling with .75 text scaling along with the compact materia theme. This is effectively 1.5x window scaling, but 1.5x fractional scaling alone is blurry on gnome in non gnome apps. The other alternative I tried was 1x window scaling with 1.5x text scaling, but the UI feels more cluttered/cramped.

[deleted]

Re: Linux on the Framework Laptop

#256

I am currently using the DIY version running Ubuntu. I absolutely love this laptop. It had been awhile since I built a computer (let alone a laptop). The DIY kit instructions and the construction of the machine itself are very well thought out. I am very excited for a future where we can measure the lifespan of our personal electronics in decades rather than months. Congrats to the Framework team!

[deleted]

Re: Linux on the Framework Laptop

#257
post #210

I just ordered one of these the other day. I currently have an M1 MacBook Air and the laptop is just magical. In light of Apple's recent privacy decisions, I've decided to give Linux another go since Framework seems to be so open to it. It's not coming for a few weeks but I'm really looking forward to giving it a whirl, and I hope to sell the MacBook as a result.

Wow! I'm debating between an M1 Air and this laptop. I'd love to read your thoughts after you get the frame.work.

I’d be happy to share them, I am in batch 4 so I probably won’t get my Framework laptop till late October early November.

Issues with Apple’s philosophies aside, the M1 Air is the best laptop I’ve ever had. By far. The battery life and standby time are endless. I tend to only use it for 20 minutes on the weekdays and a charge lasts me all week, with slightly heavier usage on the weekends.

I don’t expect the Framework laptop to win in all categories (battery life, overall level of polish) but I think it will be very rewarding to build and take care of, and I plan to run Linux on it which I think will be a great opportunity for me to grow my skills, and also give me the opportunity to vote with my wallet for the change I want to see in the world.

Re: Linux on the Framework Laptop

#258

If anyone's looking for an inexpensive DIY Laptop, Olimex sells one fully OSHW (!): https://www.olimex.com/Products/DIY-Laptop/

That's quite enticing. Hmm. Thanks for mentioning it! I kinda want a cheap/cheerful laptop; maybe this will be it... .

PineBook Pro should be significantly faster, and is a little cheaper.

Re: Linux on the Framework Laptop

#259

Earlier quoted context omitted.

More generally, I would love if the custom keyboard community jumped on this bandwagon and we saw ergonomic keyboards (and a trackpoint) for the Framework laptop.

I pestered in one of the other HN threads about the Framework laptop that having ortholinear keys would be cool. It's technically feasible, but would be too expensive without sufficient quantity being made. Looks to me that to allow for even the low-profile Kailh choc switches, the laptop would need to be much thicker. (The DIY laptop is 15mm thick. My PCB+kailh+bumpons keyboard is 14mm thick). https://github.com/sao…

Thanks for the comment! Mechanical switches would definitely be cool but to be honest I'd already be happy with a different (more ergonomical) layout. :)

Re: Linux on the Framework Laptop

#260

I really, really really wish they had an AMD option. I don't really _need_ a laptop currently, but that would probably push me over. If they had that and a supported eGPU configuration (or even an option with better graphics) I would probably retire my desktop.

Doesn't this mean it would lose Thunderbolt support?

Nope. Some premium AMD motherboards have Thunderbolt 3 ports. It's open now as part of USB 4 standard
Post reply on HN