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The Framework is the most exciting laptop I've used

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Re: The Framework is the most exciting laptop I've used

#111

Post by danielmg »

tombert wrote: post #53
ad133 wrote: post #7

This looks really cool, but the author... is... replacing their laptop every year ? Like, I'm writing this on an 8 year old MBP that has survived as my round-the-house driver because it still does everything well. My daily driver is getting on a bit now (3yr) and my desktop only just got replaced after 5 years. Forget the cost, but the waste!

Back when I was making crap wages, I would get the cheapest laptops I could afford that would more or less give me decent performance (on the order of ~$500-600). It's not too hard to find a new laptop that performs well at a reasonable price, but you always run the risk of them reclaiming those costs by cheaping out on all the mechanics of it, and it's not like I was able to afford paying ~$2000 for a high-quality m…

That's the Vimes' boots theory of socioeconomic unfairness.

Re: The Framework is the most exciting laptop I've used

#112

Post by epistasis »

squeaky-clean wrote: post #86
epistasis wrote: post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Well, the other reason is that customers don't care either. I certainly don't. The last desktop build I made 5 years ago hasn't had a single component changed in that entire time.

But imagine if your next desktop build required you to also throw away your SSD, monitor, keyboard, mouse, and speakers. You can also re-use a case in future builds, and re-use a high quality PSU in future builds. I also don't really care to replace individual components in my systems, but being able to upgrade laptop hardware without throwing away the chasis and storage seems pretty nice to me.

My next desktop build will require entirely new parts, and the prior build will be demoted to other uses, or given to someone else who has a better use for it. As a whole unit, it still has utility. If I scavenge an essential piece, all the rest go to waste.

If it were a big energy hog (it's not), then it may make sense to put it out to pasture and scavenge the parts for others.

The exception is my keyboard, is like my toothbrush, if toothbrushes could last for two decades. That I will keep and move to the new computer, as keyboard technology is not advancing.

For laptops, I see even less utility for upgrades than for a desktop, but perhaps that's just me.

Re: The Framework is the most exciting laptop I've used

#113

Post by squeaky-clean »

tshaddox wrote: post #54
tombert wrote: post #25

It feels like for years we were constantly told by these corporations "it's impossible to have slim, tiny laptops and make them customizable", and I guess at some level I believed that, and just accepted that laptops with upgradable components were a thing of the past. After seeing the framework, I'm more than a little annoyed that I fell for this. They proved you can have a slim, clean laptop that's somewhat modular…

Do you actually have any example of a corporation that makes laptops saying that it’s impossible to have slim laptops that are customizable? I would be very surprised if this ever happened, but I’m willing to be proven wrong.

I can't find a quote from Apple, but here's a 2012 article by Kyle Weins (iFixit CEO) basically claiming that's the reason

https://www.wired.com/2012/06/opinion-apple-retina-displa/

Re: The Framework is the most exciting laptop I've used

#115

Post by lotsofpulp »

flatiron wrote: post #73
tucosan wrote: post #65

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It just haa a horrible screen resolution.

yeah 1440x900 does kinda stink, but the screen is so small it doesn't really bother me too much. plasma does a good job shrinking itself down enough and virtual desktops help. 99% its a full screen chromium window so who cares.

I would guess that MacBook Airs, especially the current ones, are sufficient for the needs of 80%, maybe even 90%, of the entire laptop market, who I presume just need to be able to use a browser and spreadsheets.

And they last for years and years, and I doubt the cost:performance:longevity ratios can be beat.

Re: The Framework is the most exciting laptop I've used

#116

Post by sneak »

ad133 wrote: post #7

This looks really cool, but the author... is... replacing their laptop every year ? Like, I'm writing this on an 8 year old MBP that has survived as my round-the-house driver because it still does everything well. My daily driver is getting on a bit now (3yr) and my desktop only just got replaced after 5 years. Forget the cost, but the waste!

It's very, very normal for wealthy people to replace their daily-use tools every year, or even more often.

I replace my phone and laptop and iPad every year. I know people who replace their car and wardrobe and luggage every year, too.

In laptops and mobile devices in general, annual updates make a lot of sense as power efficiency is still regularly increasing. The M1 Air, is, for example, a fucking marvel. It's been out for way less than a year. I have an M1 Air, and will upgrade it again in less than a year when the Mx (where x > 1) Macbook Pro comes out.

Re: The Framework is the most exciting laptop I've used

#117

Post by mkka »

ad133 wrote: post #7

This looks really cool, but the author... is... replacing their laptop every year ? Like, I'm writing this on an 8 year old MBP that has survived as my round-the-house driver because it still does everything well. My daily driver is getting on a bit now (3yr) and my desktop only just got replaced after 5 years. Forget the cost, but the waste!

The author, Cory, links to a previous explanation of when he quit smoking he converted the cost into getting a new laptop annually. As he mentioned in the article he typically finds a new home for the used device. Laptop appears to be his primary device and critical to his work so updates annually makes sense, though a new device is partially due to the construction framework elimates(i.e. riveted or glued components).

Re: The Framework is the most exciting laptop I've used

#118

Post by philliphaydon »

renke1 wrote: post #60

I am growing increasingly unhappy with Thinkpads in general, but as far as I know there is no real alternative for TrackPoint users. There are some that have a TrackPoint but they lack three physical mouse button that are in reach of ones thumbs.

Why are you growing unhappy? (I have a X1 Extreme Gen 1, and Legion 7, and Legion 5 Pro, so I'm curious)

Re: The Framework is the most exciting laptop I've used

#120

Post by jonshariat »

epistasis wrote: post #39
topspin wrote: post #33

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Linus (the "tech tips" one) said something that sticks in my mind: "The only reason other companies can't do this - and Framework proved it - is because they don't care."

Well, the other reason is that customers don't care either. I certainly don't. The last desktop build I made 5 years ago hasn't had a single component changed in that entire time.

I wouldn't be interested in fixing myself but if I know that I can have my laptop repaired or upgraded for cheap, that would be amazing.
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