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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

#571

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 sucks that I absolutely love what Framework is doing but also absolutely love macOS :(

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

#573

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

For the record, I also own a Mac: the MacBook Pro, 2019 baseline model. I used to enjoy the battery life (though it has been slowly getting worse to the point where I have considered reaching out to Apple about it since the battery is glued in and I can't replace it myself). I like the metal body. I also like macOS. My MacBook is not completely silent because it's an Intel mac, but the M1 would be, that's true. As fa…

This is a good point. "Repairability" is a lot less important to me than lifetime. Right now, I have a MacBook with AppleCare. The author's criticism with AppleCare is that it can take a week for Apple to repair the computer. That's reasonable for me.

So the real test of the Framework computer is not in the first week. (Although the initial impression is very impressive!) The real test is whether I can, 3 years after buying the computer, replace the battery more easily than Apple could replace the battery in a Mac. Modular hardware is limited by the availability of the parts, and Framework doesn't have the brand to convince me that they'll be around for longer than I can get my computer serviced by Apple.

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

#574

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 *…

MacBook Air would be a fair comparison. The pro is pretty pointless at this point next to the Air.

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

#576

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 concur! I have about 3-4 different usb-c to what ever cables and one usb-c to female A port for thumb drives. My thinking has always been that having all usb-c “future-proofs” for future configurations… maybe I will have two HDMI external monitors in the future, rather than display port and DVI? Easy, just get two usb-c to HDMI cables when that scenario arises. With cables it allows for so many different configurations rather than proprietary modular adaptors that any given company might give up on, decide to sunset older versions for new ones with more features. After living what you just described for the last few years I can’t for the life of me fathom how this modular approach will gain mass appeal. USB-C with cables seems far more flexible to me.

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

#577

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…

Similarly, I bought some adapters that I carry around. I travel between a couple of locations, and I bring just one charging wall plug, and one 10-foot USB-C cable.

I have adapters that convert the usb-c to micro and lightning, to also charge my airpods, flashlight, etc. Each adapter is about 3/4" (2cm), female USB-C end, and male end of lightning/micro. I've glued them together so that it's just one little thing to take.

I hated carrying around 3+ cables, so this has been a welcome change.

It's true that I can only charge one thing at a time, but that's not an issue for me except in rare circumstances.

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

#578

This is kind of a weird piece that really doesn't mean anything at all. I understand being in the "honeymoon phase" with a new piece of technology, but I don't feel like Cory is aware that he's doing that here. But there's some signs: He loved Thinkpads originally, but over the course of several years the company and the quality of the product went down the tubes. Now he's got a brand new laptop that he's only had fo…

I agree with your honeymoon phase comment but if Framework followed what Lenovo did to ThinkPads, there would be no reason to buy them.

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

#579
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.

It works fine. It has 6 5.25 bays, and 2 3.5 ones. It is steel and heavy, but it never moves.

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

#580

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

For the record, I also own a Mac: the MacBook Pro, 2019 baseline model. I used to enjoy the battery life (though it has been slowly getting worse to the point where I have considered reaching out to Apple about it since the battery is glued in and I can't replace it myself). I like the metal body. I also like macOS. My MacBook is not completely silent because it's an Intel mac, but the M1 would be, that's true. As fa…

In years past you had to bring up the MBP but now the Macbook Air tips the scales.

I got my 16 GB Macbook Air for $1000 at Microcenter. For development purposes it's the same as a Pro, except it doesn't have a fan (and has never throttled) and doesn't have a touch bar (which is great)

The MBA is an insane value with the advent of the M1, a complete turnaround from the old days.

Also it has a trick up it's sleeve when it comes to this:

> the complete lack of repairability. As a reminder, your Mac's battery will die at some point, and your Mac will become useless.

First off, Apple will replace the battery in a MBA for $129 (vs $200 for the MBP), so a little alarmist...

But more importantly the new Air uses stretch-release adhesive (think command strips) and doesn't require removing the logic board for battery replacements. The MBP didn't inherent this improvement.

It's no Framework but it makes it the value proposition that much sweeter...

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