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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

#511

Post by godot »

This got me curious, I feel like if any laptop could allowed for a customized keyboard layout, it would be this one.

I'm really yearning for a modern laptop with a keyboard layout that doesn't seem to exist anymore in modern keyboards, something like this [1], where there is a set of 6 nav keys at the upper right corner and a set of full size arrow keys at the lower right corner. If the Framework laptop has an option for a customized keyboard with that layout, I'll literally instantly buy it without even considering other specs.

1: https://koboguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/1pDN_eHnop3...

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

#513

Post by ricardobeat »

NotPractical wrote: post #492

The baseline, preassembled model starts at $1000. Windows 10 Home, quad-core i5, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB storage, a nice 2256x1504 display, thin and light (1.3kg, 11.7" x 9" x 0.6"). Compare that to your other thin and light options at this pricepoint. XPS 13, $1020 * i5 * 8 GB RAM * 256 GB storage * 1920 x 1200 display * 1.2 kg, 11.6" x 7.8" x 0.6" MacBook Pro: $1300 * M1 * 8 GB RAM * 256 GB storage * 2560 x 1600 display *…

It doesn't look like a no-brainer to me (already a Mac user). The MBP has a better screen, better battery life, performance, has a metal body, is completely silent and has nicer software.

That said, you should get the Air instead which is $999 with almost exactly the same specs, minus the annoying touch bar, and a tad lighter at 1.29kg.

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

#514

Post by enobrev »

arecurrence wrote: post #418
strix_varius wrote: post #323

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I find it hilarious that we spend multiple thousands of dollars on sleek, elegant hardware and then hook up chunky plastic dongles to overcome their bad hardware interfaces. So I love the idea of these ports (agreed, they're basically "recessed dongles"). I couldn't lose them / forget them. They wouldn't take up space in my bag while I'm traveling. I could "set and forget" them to perfectly match whatever desktop / d…

I don't understand the logic. When the original usb-c MBP came out I spent $30 on Monoprice for usb-c to whatever cables and never looked back. I even still have many of those cables 3 laptops later. People would actually comment about dongle gate in Meetups and I'd show them my usb-c to micro-usb cable... ...oh the look of shock in their eyes... "You mean... you never bought a dongle?". The concept of a cable with u…

I did the same. I don't love using them, but it's better than keeping different cables around.

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

#515

Post by biztos »

strix_varius wrote: post #323
ericpauley wrote: post #253

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Maybe I need some convincing here. How is the "modular port" concept any different than a universal port with dongles (i.e., how Macs have been since 2016). To me the fact that the port attachments are recessed is little more than a gimmick. Especially as all of my devices have transitioned to USB-C anyway, dongles/"modular ports" feel more like a stopgap measure than one requiring a permanent form factor change.

I find it hilarious that we spend multiple thousands of dollars on sleek, elegant hardware and then hook up chunky plastic dongles to overcome their bad hardware interfaces. So I love the idea of these ports (agreed, they're basically "recessed dongles"). I couldn't lose them / forget them. They wouldn't take up space in my bag while I'm traveling. I could "set and forget" them to perfectly match whatever desktop / d…

The crazy thing here is that it’s not so hard to hit the standard set of “pro” ports —

USB-C x 4 (new standard blabla)

USB-A x 2

SD x 1

HDMI x 1

Phone/Mic

I applaud the modular approach but Apple’s donglevision was the pure distillation of user-hostility between the Bean-Counter in Chief and the SVP, Thin Stuff.

And all the industrial sheep who followed them. May we all recover…

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

#516

Post by lotsofpulp »

volta83 wrote: post #441
toast0 wrote: post #136

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Looking at your trend, you've got $500 laptop / 2 year, or $2000 laptop / 5 year, which reduces to $250 laptop / year vs $400 laptop / year. Getting low cost laptops isn't necessarily a worse financial outcome, although it depends on how fast the processor updates are moving; when a 2020 intel cpu is about the same as a 2015 intel cpu, it would probably have been better to pay a little more in 2015 for a faster one;…

I have an apple macbook air from mid 2012, that i paid 1200$ for. If it survies 6 more months, then I've spent 120$/year on laptops over the last 10 years.

I have a 2015 air that was $1k. I expect to get down to $120 per year in a couple years, but I would have to add $10/year for replacing the battery every few years.

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

#517

Post by ansible »

bambax wrote: post #432

> I've bought a new Thinkpad almost every year since 2006 But why?? If the current one isn't broken, why would you need to buy a new laptop and go through the hassle of setting it up? My laptop is from 2013 and is still fine. Parts of my desktop computer are from 2007 -- the case is from 1993, and nothing is more recent than 2015, and everything is running super smooth. Getting an entire new machine every single year…

> Parts of my desktop computer are from 2007 -- the case is from 1993,

How does that work? That predates the ATX form factor spec released by Intel in 1995.

I had a ginormous PC/AT compatible tower case at that time, very large, very heavy, all steel. IIRC, it had 8 5.25in external drive bays.

In retrospect, the ATX form factor has been rather long-lived, though there are plenty of competing form factors these days.

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

#518

Post by fouric »

brightball wrote: post #166

> I really miss my Thinkpad Trackpoint This is one of those comments I will never understand. Every single time I have tried to use one of those things the only thought that goes through my mind is, "This is the dumbest mouse interface I have ever seen. Why would anyone ever use this thing?" And then I see comments like this. I don't get it. The ergonomics of those little nubs are awful .

There are many other replies about how the trackpoint is ergonomically superior to a trackpad.

I'll add some nuance: it's entirely possible that a trackpoint is most valuable when your workload is majority typing with some mousing, as opposed to the other way around - so maybe you just have a different workload than most trackpoint users.

Separately - how long did you actually spend trying to use one? Most things have learning curves. You can't unlock most of the potential of a keyboard until you've spent dozens of hours learning how to type, so why shouldn't the same apply to a pointing device?

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

#519

Post by deadmutex »

collinvandyck76 wrote: post #84
TOMDM wrote: post #28

These laptops would be an instant buy from me if I could get a new AMD chip instead of the Intel CPU's.

Same here but for fan noise. Since I've gotten the m1 macbook air, I don't think I can go back to a laptop that runs hot and needs a fan. In the event that I must get a non-m1 laptop, I can definitely see myself buying the framework laptop and putting ubuntu on it.

Ehn.. I used to be like you. Once I used Pixelbook, a superthin fanless device, I was in awe. Pixelbook Go was similar fanless device as well. But, then I realized that they have their limitations. With a fan, one can achieve much better performance when needed. So, now, I prefer a laptop that can passively cool for normal day to day work, and then for heavy workloads take advantage of the fan.

I got the framework laptop, which should be able to push the intel chip to the max 28 TDP. I heard the fan is big, and thus not annoying. I am curious to see how it will turn out (My batch 3 order gets delivered tomorrow).

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

#520

Post by earthscienceman »

ericpauley wrote: post #253
mikenew wrote: post #124

Been extremely happy with mine the past couple months. The little modular port attachments seemed like a novelty at first, but now it feels absurd that you'd buy a laptop with a bunch of "hardcoded" ports that you can't ever change. The only real Linux related quirk I've run into so far is that you have to disable panel self refresh (it's on by default and causes stuttering). Other than that tiny thing I pretty much…

Maybe I need some convincing here. How is the "modular port" concept any different than a universal port with dongles (i.e., how Macs have been since 2016). To me the fact that the port attachments are recessed is little more than a gimmick. Especially as all of my devices have transitioned to USB-C anyway, dongles/"modular ports" feel more like a stopgap measure than one requiring a permanent form factor change.

I'll give a reply not seen here yet. I haven't bought the framework laptop (yet) but I can see the module appeal. There's all sorts of hacker-ish ideas that I could imagine stuffing in there and the fact that I don't need a dongle means they're always attached and ready to be thrown in a bag. My first idea:

Framework offers a 1Tb storage module for their ports! I backup my root OS via ZFS snapshot to USB every so often now. How great would it be to have a storage port that's all the recent snapshots of your important datasets. And, the possibilities are endless. The fact that they don't change the form factor of the laptop and that they're always attached is actually a big deal.

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