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DIY triple-screen laptop based on the framework

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Re: DIY triple-screen laptop based on the framework

#71
post #19
post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My "laptop" only gets used on desks and my "desktop" sits under my table. Go figure.. He calls it a laptop since Framework calls its computers "laptops" and the whole setup is battery powered.

This build also folds down and has an integrated keyboard like a normal laptop.

Sorry I was wrong - no integrated keyboard :(

Re: DIY triple-screen laptop based on the framework

#72
post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why not buy two computers? Your boss will probably pay for both.

It's quite a pain to keep two computers in sync. You don't want to end up blocked on a task because you forgot to push your changes. I'm also pretty sure that no company I have worked for would have paid for me to have two company computers.

maybe using a laptop with a docking setup on each workplace would be ideal. Just set up a nice ergonomic workstation, connecting all the peripherals to a dock, and when you come to work there, just plug in the laptop to the dock and start working.

Re: DIY triple-screen laptop based on the framework

#73
My only complaint / concern is how "wasted" the I/O potential of the FW board is. It has an incredible total of 4 USB4™ ports, each of those can do 40 Gbit/s bi-directional of USB/DP/PCIe. Lots of potential: eGPU, fast external storage, fast networking, docking solutions, ...

Here, two of these ports are used for the side displays, one for a 4-port USB-A hub, and one is apparently exposed to the outside via some right-angle adapter, intended as power input.

Even tho the "power input" could probably be used for a dock or similar, just one USB-C and 4 USB-A is a bit lame for I/O.

Maybe they could've tried to power both side displays from one port by using a dual-DP hub to have one more exposable USB-C port; and/or replace the 4xUSB-A hub with a dock with more features - ethernet, video out and an SD card reader would be useful

Re: DIY triple-screen laptop based on the framework

#74
post #2

I like how he uses framework parts to build this. His builds at the end always look better than you expect

This has basically refueled my idea of making a modern version of the IBM PS/2 Model P70. Instead of desktop components I can use parts of a framework pc to skip out on a lot of the horrors of planning custom builds like this.

that sounds pretty cool. It looks a lot like a "cyber decks" that people build today, except less cyber-punk.

You may be able to get build inspiration from that community.

eg: https://cyberdeck.cafe/mix/m3tal

Re: DIY triple-screen laptop based on the framework

#75
post #50

This looks like a cool desktop computer; not sure why he labels a computer explicitly designed to not be usable in your lap a "laptop".

That's why in other languages it's called "notebook computer" or "portable computer". "Laptop" never really made sense. No one ever used laptops on the lap.

Howdy! I'm no one :)

Re: DIY triple-screen laptop based on the framework

#76
post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why not buy two computers? Your boss will probably pay for both.

It's quite a pain to keep two computers in sync. You don't want to end up blocked on a task because you forgot to push your changes. I'm also pretty sure that no company I have worked for would have paid for me to have two company computers.

I've been using Unison [1] to sync two and more computers for years. I can't recommend it enough.

[1]: https://github.com/bcpierce00/unison

Re: DIY triple-screen laptop based on the framework

#77

If you don't know Matt's channel - give it a go. All the projects he does have a really, really high level of quality.

By far my favorite thing about his builds is they are also very actually DIY. Like, basic hand tools are all that's required most of the time and actually affordable parts. So many youtuber "DIY's" are like "today I chucked this into my $10,000 CNC and printed off this part in my $5,000 3D printer, then used this whole-room positional tracking system I had laying around to blah blah blah" or "making this awesome uniq…

I assume your first example refers to Stuff Made Here; to be fair, be never presents himself as a DIYer, and on several of his projects explicitly says “you shouldn’t do this at home”!

Re: DIY triple-screen laptop based on the framework

#78
post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Actually, that frightens me. I know of another powerful, tested, and DIY friendly compact computer: the Raspberry Pi. The Pi got integrated into so many full fledged commercial products that it's lost its availability for hackers. If the Framework mainboard becomes a Super-Pi, will Framework owners be able to get the spare parts that they were counting on?

The rumor is that the pi is having issues because Broadcom (who actually owns the IP in their chips) is pissed that they built a for profit company on top of IP Broadcom donated intending to be going to a nonprofit. Rumor is that's also why there's no progress on an RPi5, as that would require coordination with Broadcom. That would also explain why the Pico had no problems being stocked, as it contains no Broadcom IP…

It's not Broadcom IP, all the Pi apart Pico are based on Broadcom chips, which indeed may explain why Pico does not seem to be impacted by supply issues, as you point out. The likelihood is therefore that supply issues are because of Broadcom...

Re: DIY triple-screen laptop based on the framework

#79

Framework should sell a fully integrated portable like this. I bet this would be popular with Framework's target market.

They can't even afford to have mass production for 15/16 inch laptops, I don't believe such a niche target is within their realm of possibility.

Their product is barely differentiated from other laptops on the market. Having a niche but unique product would be good for them.

Re: DIY triple-screen laptop based on the framework

#80
post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

He does address this exact concern in the video. He explains that laptops make ergonomic trade offs he isn’t amenable to it, so the whole point was to build a NON laptop.

I thought it wasn't an effort to make a NON laptop, but rather to try to redefine what a laptop should be. Instead of having small computers that we can use while it is sitting on our laps, we should have a portable computer that is more comfortable to use. Take the part of the laptop that's good (the portability) and adapt it to be something that is even better. We can quibble with if this is a "true" laptop later..…

> Instead of having small computers that we can use while it is sitting on our laps, we should have a portable computer that is more comfortable to use.

Yes, but the laptop form factor is the only thing that has any hope of working in the space granted to someone sitting on a train. And "use it while travelling" feels like a fairly important use case for the "mobile computer" niche.

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