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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

#891
post #714

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How are thermals though? My xps 13 with 2 fans can get hot enough to be unconfortable, so i can't imagine how it will be with a single fan

I really wish people talked about this stuff more when it comes to laptops. Hot temps and loud fans are a super turn-off for me. I'm willing to compromise performance for a quieter, cooler runtime, but usually all I can find out about a laptop is its processor clock speed and a horribly inaccurate battery life estimate.

I had a 16" MacBook Pro that was so hot and loud all the time that I just couldn't stand it anymore and sold it to buy an M1 MacBook Air, which thankfully doesn't even have a fan.

I don't understand how it didn't come up in any reviews, because you don't have to push it super hard to make it happen.

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

#893

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.

Have you tried dongles? They barely work. I beg for an age where monitors and drives plugged into Macbooks worked again without flickering and random disconnects you get with dongles.

These are literally USB-C to X dongles. You may prefer them to be integrated, but they won't solve any compatibility issues.

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

#894
post #730

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> already a Mac user [...] and has nicer software Without starting flames... let's agree this is subjective. For many people the options for the Framework are preferable.

Perhaps, but I think it’s a fair comment to say that more effort has been put into making it nice, objectively, than any Linux desktop alternative. Maybe some folk prefer the alternatives, and that’s fair, but if you did some pretty objective metrics of bugs, visual inconsistencies, user workflows for standard tasks (like adding new hardware…) well, it’s impossible to deny that Apple has significantly invested in mak…

> more effort has been put into making it nice, objectively, than any Linux desktop alternative.

Again, subjective.

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

#895

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Ignoring the (potentially substantial) environmental costs, if you do it "correctly" the total cost of ownership is about the same. If you buy a $2000 Mac and use it for as long as reasonably, it's going to depreciate by several hundred dollars (let's say, roughly $300) a year. At a certain point it's worth nearly zero, and you must buy a new laptop. After 6-7 years your total outlay is $2000. Alternatively, every ye…

The downtime of setting up a new laptop, migrating data, etc is going to be worth several hundred dollars to many people

Agreed.

Though, with Macs, it's trivial - their migration tool is peerless. (As one would certainly expect and demand: since they control the whole software/hardware stack)

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

#896
post #724

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How is the state of linux power saving (i.e., mobile battery life) in 2021? Last time I checked you could expect to get almost 2x the battery life on equivalent hardware with Windows or Mac OS.

Generally pretty good. With tlp and a 5.10ish kernel, my T480 handles light web browsing at 3-5 W depending on display brightness (wqhd display). Heavier websites, high-res video decoding, etc. will bring it up to 7-10 W. Maybe 20 W when compiling something, or when attempting to use the (worthless) Nvidia GPU (which I leave powered down most of the time). It has a dual battery setup with a 24 Wh internal battery and…

if you could point to how you configured your power management that would be great

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

#897
post #724

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Generally pretty good. With tlp and a 5.10ish kernel, my T480 handles light web browsing at 3-5 W depending on display brightness (wqhd display). Heavier websites, high-res video decoding, etc. will bring it up to 7-10 W. Maybe 20 W when compiling something, or when attempting to use the (worthless) Nvidia GPU (which I leave powered down most of the time). It has a dual battery setup with a 24 Wh internal battery and…

if you could point to how you configured your power management that would be great

"sudo tlp start" :)

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

#898
post #714

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How are thermals though? My xps 13 with 2 fans can get hot enough to be unconfortable, so i can't imagine how it will be with a single fan

I really wish people talked about this stuff more when it comes to laptops. Hot temps and loud fans are a super turn-off for me. I'm willing to compromise performance for a quieter, cooler runtime, but usually all I can find out about a laptop is its processor clock speed and a horribly inaccurate battery life estimate.

Computer thermals are weird. You can ultimately choose between a gimped device that stays cool under load or a spectacularly hot, dynamically clocked CPU. I normally cut the clock speed of my CPU in half with any new laptop, since I'm really only going to use it for text editing/SSH. That alone is good enough to lock it below 40c, but there are other ways to achieve a similar effect.

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

#900

Why don't they ship the Framework with Ubuntu pre-installed, and let people save the Windows tax altogether?

There isn’t a large market for that. If you want to sell a repairable laptop to the masses you need the features they desire. Windows is one of those things, unfortunately.
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