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The Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition

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Re: The Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition

#361

Post by amstan »

Laaas wrote: post #160
asdfk-12 wrote: post #36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Would an ARM-based mainboard variant be a possibility down the line?

It is truly unfortunate that an ARM-based variant isn't available. When you don't care about single-core performance and compatibility, there really isn't much reason to use x86 at all. For me personally, my priority is by far battery-life (and LTE support is a nice bonus). I'm refraining from using Framework until they get an ARM device out to replace my current ARM chromebook (Acer Chromebook Spin 513, my NixOS con…

Lazor's SOC has 1 internal type C port and it was a pain to transform that to 2 external ports via a HUB and complicated muxes.

There really isn't any other performant ARM chip that has more ports, enough to work in a framework 4 port type situation.

If we want to go beyond DP alt mode into USB 4 you could forget it.

Re: The Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition

#362

Post by cowmoo728 »

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.

I can't hand my non-technical family member a Linux device and expect it still work a week later without any intervention.

Re: The Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition

#363

Post by amstan »

samueldr wrote: post #187

I wonder if it will have proper CCD (Case Closed Debugging)[0] support. With CCD, you are pretty much free to mess around with the "BIOS" of the machine, without fear of being put in a bad situation. It also provides a serial terminal to the "AP" (application processor), e.g. available to the OS. In other words, the Cr50 provides a controlled and user-controlled (but not user-owned) sideband channel to debug the syst…

It will, kind of a requirement to make a testable Chromebook these days.

Re: The Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition

#364

Post by cowmoo728 »

qzw wrote: post #184
freedomben wrote: post #94

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm not GP, but tackling AMD or a dedicated GPU sounds like a ton more work than Chromebook. Plus Google partnered with them, so presumably helped with some of the work. I would guess this effort didn't really take all that much, but it allowed them to try a new bet that might pay off, and establish a potentially useful partnership. I too would rather a dedicated GPU and/or AMD option, but I care as much for the heal…

Exactly this. Offering AMD or dGPU is a whole other level of engineering, supply chain, and support effort. Google itself may also be good for a few thousand orders, just from all their now orphaned Pixelbook users. And presumably that’s still a tangible amount of sales for a company the size of Framework. Plus they apparently already found some power management improvements that will also apply to all their laptops,…

Google employees have been switching to HP Dragonfly chromebooks but that may be back ordered now, so I could see many of us requesting the framework if it's made available internally. I'm going to see if I can get Google to allocate me one of these framework Chromebooks, and if not, I will purchase one on my own.

Re: The Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition

#365

Post by cowmoo728 »

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.

Is it possible for me to purchase a Framework Chromebook and swap the regular keyboard into it?

Re: The Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition

#366

Post by ip_addr »

lrvick wrote: post #293
dathinab wrote: post #275

Earlier quoted context omitted.

But if we are honest: 1. is it really worse then windows 2. google does has privacy option, partially thanks to the EU forcing them and as far as I can tell they are not randomly "undone" with updates from time to time 3. a lot of more common users do also have instagram and similar, do most things through android/iOS apps and use google search and chrome, or some chrome derivate. How much additional information does…

Giving ChromeOS devices to low tech users that cannot understand the privacy and lock-in risks feels like a tech version of giving kids cigarettes. It is simply unethical. The HN crowd can make informed decisions to give Google control of their entire digital lives but we should not make that choice for others. I would never recommend Windows or MacOS to anyone for similar reasons so those are not a comparison I care…

low-tech users don't care much for their privacy in my experiences. This may be due partially due to the lack of understanding, but also due to cultural differences different from the average hn user. The time needed to teach them how to use complicated security systems just isn't worth it for them most of the time. People have different priorities. Most people just want to use their computers as a utility or for playing fun games or something.

I'm sure there's some complicated oven i could use that would be way better in the long run but I just wanna make pizza sometimes, not the best pizza in the world at the perfect temperature.

Re: The Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition

#367

Post by jbeard4 »

warent wrote: post #195
stavros wrote: post #86

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Having just bought a Framework to replace my 5-year-old XPS, I really hope I have the same experience as you. Do you run Linux, by the way? I hope Linux support is good.

I'm using 12th gen processor, latest versions of Ubuntu and Linux Ubuntu: Ubuntu 22.04.1 LTS Linux: 5.17.0-051700-generic The only problems I've had so far is the "brightness" fn keys don't work, and bluetooth isn't great with certain devices like Airpods. The brightness keys isn't a big deal, can still set brightness in the OS. It's probably fixable through some manual keymapping. Bluetooth is more annoying but I so…

Hi, I saw your comment about Bluetooth issues with your AirPods, and I wanted to let you know that I have been having great success using my AirPods after I swapped out Pulseaudio for Pipewire on my System76 lemur pro laptop running PopOS. I think Ubuntu is planning to migrate from Pulseaudio to Pipewire as the default sound server, but maybe they haven’t done it yet. Anyway, this might be something you want to try. I use them for zoom meetings 1-2 hours every day, and they are extremely reliable.

Re: The Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition

#368

Post by henearkr »

baybal2 wrote: post #66
nrp wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

ChromeOS! Specifically, the Mainboard is custom-designed for ChromeOS. This means it uses coreboot instead of a proprietary BIOS and has Google's Titan C security chip. There are some other smaller differences. To keep the cost down, the top cover is aluminum-formed instead of CNCed, for compatibility reasons we weren't able to bring our fingerprint module in, and we were able to improve both audio quality and speake…

> To keep the cost down, the top cover is aluminum-formed instead of CNCed Forging is in no way inferior to CNC, on the contrary, a forget aluminium part should have more rigidity per unit of thickness, depending on the alloy. I guess, you got to volumes big enough to open the mould for forging? If you need an audio engineer, I can refer you one fellow. He worked at Apple, Harman, Asus, BBK, and is now looking to rel…

He meant formed not forged.

The formed top covers are thick aluminium foils that are folded by machines.

They did show signs of lack of rigidity in the usage of the laptops (it was shipped with the first Framework laptops, and later replaced by CNC for this very reason).

Re: The Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition

#369

Post by staticassertion »

rasengan0 wrote: post #348
staticassertion wrote: post #178

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have a whole bunch of reasons. ChromeOS has a great separation of concerns and isolation of environments. I have my work profile and my personal profile, which are totally separate. I have my browser environment and my dev VM, which are totally separate. Different activities are cleanly partitioned. This has obvious security benefits but also is just a really nice, simple way to manage the system. I can fuck up a d…

I too enjoy ChromeOS but how do you play a DVD? [1] [1] https://old.reddit.com/r/Crostini/comments/b680wa/external_d...

No idea, I haven't been in the presence of a DVD in years
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