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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

#671
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.

Check out the System76 AMD Pangolin. System76 has many values in common with Framework. https://system76.com/laptops/pangolin

The display is very disappointing apparently: https://old.reddit.com/r/System76/comments/m7cujq/pangolin_s...

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

#673
What is the point of a modular IO if I cannot get an ethernet port? Or today only the old school people like me prefer to use a wired LAN connection whenever possible and hate using Wi-Fi that is unreliable and slower?

I don't understand that choice, but to make the laptop thin, no, a Thinkpad T14 is thin (maybe not as a Macbook, but who cares about a couple of millimeters) and integrates a full size ethernet connector.

What is the point of modular IO if the IO that you are giving me is just USB, HDMI and a micro (not even full size) SD card reader?

I would expect to have a whole range of possible ports, for example I use a lot RS232 ports, I would have liked to find a module to add a serial port to my laptop.

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

#674
I love the idea of the Framework and for my next laptop I will definitely check it out.

One topic, though, that I just cannot let stand without comment is the notion that Thinkpads are bad now. I have a Thinkpad X1 Extreme (gen2) and - apart from the stupid name - it is hands down the best Linux Laptop I ever had.

There simply is no "...secretive Nvidia graphics cards, strange BIOS rubbish...". At least with Fedora it just works (including rendering offload to the NVidia card if you want that.)

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

#675

What is the point of a modular IO if I cannot get an ethernet port? Or today only the old school people like me prefer to use a wired LAN connection whenever possible and hate using Wi-Fi that is unreliable and slower? I don't understand that choice, but to make the laptop thin, no, a Thinkpad T14 is thin (maybe not as a Macbook, but who cares about a couple of millimeters) and integrates a full size ethernet connect…

There's no reason there couldn't be an Ethernet or RS232 port. It's just that there hasn't been one made yet. And don't forget that third parties are able to make them too.

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

#676
post #642
post #426

I just got one of these last weekend(I ordered it in early August) and so far it’s really great. The modular I/O and general mission of the company was what initially sold me on it, but now actually being hands on with it, I definitely feel secure in my decision to get one. I can’t overstate how good these modular ports are. I also really like that you can bring your own hardware in a lot of cases. For example I had…

>when was the last time you used the right shift key? I generally use the shift key closest to the key I'm typing. For keys near the center, I favor the right shift key. The keyboard would absolutely be the show stopper for me, if I didn't just get a new laptop last year. The lack of dedicated Page Up and Page Down keys is unacceptable.

Finally somebody else mentioned it. I will never buy a laptop without a dedicated Home, End, Page Up, and Page Down keys.

I've used Chromebooks without them before, and I still to this day can never remember how to select while jumping to the end of the document, for example. It's like four keys all pressed at the same time in a very awkward way.

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

#678
post #639

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's probably what I was taught, but in practice why? What's my left hand going to do with all its hundreds of milliseconds of free time while my right types a capital letter?

It's not just about speed it's also simpler and doesn't stretch your palms across the keyboard awkwardly.

Eh? If I hit shift with my left and the letter with my right, that can't possibly be more stretching (it's probably less) than hitting both (the other) shift and the letter with my right?

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

#679

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You cannot neutralize and disable the PSP spying module in AMD processors, while in Intel ones you can do that with ME: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_Management_Engine#Assert... .

As much as I love speculating about backdoors and NSA wiretapping, I seriously doubt these MEs are malicious. At this point, managing a modern x86 is tough work, especially if you want to run virtualization, complex threading and maintain high efficiency. It makes total sense that there are mandatory supervisor chips at this point, and without any evidence that these chips are "phoning home," I simply have to assume…

> managing a modern x86 is tough work

No. You can boot and run an x86 without ME and most of that other stuff.

> It makes total sense that there are mandatory supervisor chips at this point

ME, secure boot, UEFI have nothing to do with virtualization.

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

#680
post #639

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's probably what I was taught, but in practice why? What's my left hand going to do with all its hundreds of milliseconds of free time while my right types a capital letter?

For me it's more a matter of putting as little stress on my hands as possible. Pressing two buttons (shift and key) with one hand is just a little less comfortable than pressing just one key.

Oh I misread the comment I replied to! I thought it was suggesting using the same hand for both letter and shift.

Yes, I see, that would be better if I could get used to it. (I'm pretty sure I use left only.)

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