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The Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition

frame.work

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Re: The Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition

#351

Post by webmobdev »

skadamat wrote: post #79
webmobdev wrote: post #27

Congrats to frame.work for creating another decent product. But disappointed that it's an Intel device yet again. Why no AMD? (And can we replace ChromeOS with Linux or FreeBSD?)

They will get there! But they need to build a sustainable business

I know, and understand that Intel offers better deals to undercut their competitors. But just search for all discussions on frame.work on Reddit or HN and you'll find that top most requested feature is an AMD CPU. Most of us know that AMD today makes slightly better CPU than Intel. And it's cheaper too! And AMD always has offered better support to upgrade their CPUs - upgrade-ability is one of the key features of frame.work.

Re: The Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition

#352

Post by amstan »

h0hiec6Dai2wi wrote: post #350

Not having the ServoV4 available to anyone but Google employees completely invalidates any praises of this thing being "open". Additionally, the Titan C chip included on the mainboard doesn't appear to be socketed (please correct me if I'm wrong), so you're basically stuck with a proprietary processor hooked into your machine doing god knows what. Note that the Titan C isn't open source like the "OpenTitan" project,…

Servov4 is overkill unless you need to be testing your chromebook 24/7 in an automated fashion. Everything else can be done with a SuzyQ instead.

https://chromium.googlesource.com/chromiumos/third_party/hdc...

https://www.sparkfun.com/products/retired/14746

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGsyXlgSxFk

Re: The Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition

#353

Post by webmobdev »

Entinel wrote: post #65
webmobdev wrote: post #27

Congrats to frame.work for creating another decent product. But disappointed that it's an Intel device yet again. Why no AMD? (And can we replace ChromeOS with Linux or FreeBSD?)

Creating an AMD version of the Framework I assume takes a lot more work than just hitting up AMD and asking for some CPUs. Should they stop all other product development while waiting on AMD?

Unless Intel is helping them with the reference designs, I don't see how an AMD motherboard for their frame.work laptop is more difficult to design than an Intel one. Can you clarify why you think so?

Re: The Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition

#354

Post by amstan »

nrp wrote: post #31
zeta0134 wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Traditional chromebooks are fairly locked down, and make it difficult (and scary) to install an alternate operating system alongside ChromeOS, for users that want a bit more power. What is the situation like on the Framework edition? How open is the bootloader, and how tricky is it to enter (and stay in) developer mode?

The bootloader situation is the same as other Chromebooks. It is totally possible to get into and stay in developer mode to do what you would like with the system. In practice, doing things outside of ChromeOS depends on how robust community-driven development ends up around that.

I recommend you send one to MrChromebox: https://mrchromebox.tech/#devices

Re: The Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition

#355

Post by VikingCoder »

kelnos wrote: post #322

I hesitated posting this, because I don't want to be too negative, but: ugh. ChromeOS is just more Google adware/tracking-ware, locking people into the Google ecosystem, and (by default, at least) creating a more locked-down environment than a general-purpose OS would have (not quite iOS or even Android, but still not with the flexibility of a "mainstream" OS). I feel like Framework could be spending their time doing…

"locked-down environment"

Sorry, I have a hard time even comprehending your point.

You can run Android apps, right? You can side-load Android APKs, right? Even install F-Droid? You can run Linux apps on many Chromebooks - this one, too?

Re: The Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition

#356

Post by webmobdev »

loudmax wrote: post #78
webmobdev wrote: post #27

Congrats to frame.work for creating another decent product. But disappointed that it's an Intel device yet again. Why no AMD? (And can we replace ChromeOS with Linux or FreeBSD?)

Actually, I was thinking I'd like to see a Framework laptop with an ARM CPU. There are ARM based Chromebooks after all. Other than Apple's M1/M2 chips, there aren't any ARM CPUs that can match the raw power of x86, but Apple has demonstrated what's possible. And it would do a lot to resolve the battery life.

I think this project is financially sponsored and / or technically supported by Intel and Google and hence the Intel processors.

Re: The Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition

#357

Post by TingPing »

wyldfire wrote: post #345
askvictor wrote: post #328

Earlier quoted context omitted.

While I share your concerns, the user experience and security of ChromeOS is so much nicer than Windows, or Linux (haven't used a Mac for ages so can't compare), for most tasks for most people. It's what I'd recommend to my grandparents. Also, completely disagree with your point about locking people into Google ecosystem - this is an OS that just runs a web browser. You need a Google account to log in, sure (actually…

I'm a fan of Linux and a fan of ChromeOS. but are the user experience and security better on ChromeOS than Linux? It's a bit simpler than linux but I'd say Linux is a close second.

No they don't compare at all. ChromeOS is highly sandboxed and limited in a way desktop Linux can hardly do with normal apps.

Re: The Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition

#358

Post by amstan »

nrp wrote: post #261
treffer wrote: post #169

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have a 11th gen frame.work. 1. Could I swap mainboards to upgrade the 11th gen framework to the chromebook version? 2. Is the coreboot chip flashable with custom firmware? / Is the boot process locked? This might well be the mainboard I've been waiting for. Congratulations on shipping this!

I noted this in another comment, but that mainboard swap should work. You'll likely need a Chromebook-specific Input Cover and Webcam for full functionality though, and this is an upgrade path we have done limited validation effort on thus far. When switched into developer mode, it should be possible to update and customize firmware. There is a pretty active community for Chromebook firmware customization out there.

Could you say anything about how the webcam is different between the 2 models?
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