It would be nice if they'd offer something FCC compliant rather than unshielded eye candy.
Would you mind elaborating? I’m not sure what to look for that would raise that concern. I’m guessing something about the wifi antenna?
$39 Cooler Master case turns your old Framework Laptop parts into a tiny PC
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Re: $39 Cooler Master case turns your old Framework Laptop parts into a tiny PC
#12Earlier quoted context omitted.
All computer hardware like this emits some amount of electromagnetic interference. Although it looks cool to have a computer that is just a bare open board, the reality is you should really be shielding your hardware. It may not look as cool, but it’s kinder to the surrounding environment and respectful of others. Otherwise this is like the computer equivalent of running loud aftermarket exhausts on some shitty car.…
In principle I completely agree. But I’m equal measures ignorant and skeptical of this topic. How much EM radiation can those parts emit? Is this a problem in theory, or is it all but guaranteed to screw with other devices?
The flimsy plastic case your laptop came in is no better or worse. People need something to complain about.
Most of the shielding is done with metal lids/cans on the board already.
Not to mention I'm unsure what the original complaint even was - the Framework laptop has a lengthy list of certifications, including ones from the FCC[1].
[1] https://downloads.frame.work/manuals/Framework-Online-User-M...
Re: $39 Cooler Master case turns your old Framework Laptop parts into a tiny PC
#13Also pointed out in a comment several days ago, leading to some discussion: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=35282851.
Re: $39 Cooler Master case turns your old Framework Laptop parts into a tiny PC
#14No compartment for the battery to have an integrated UPS? Seems like a missed opportunity considering the integrated charging circuit is already there and sorted out...
Re: $39 Cooler Master case turns your old Framework Laptop parts into a tiny PC
#15I was definitely skeptical of Framework at first, but it seems like they're committing to their pluggable module concept and supporting their OG users. Way more interested in them now.
Re: $39 Cooler Master case turns your old Framework Laptop parts into a tiny PC
#16I really like this as a way to repurpose old hardware; I have known many laptops that end up sitting around in cupboards after their 'useful' life is over, that could probably still comfortably be serving as lightweight desktops even today.
Yes, or servers. I've been searching for ways to convert an older Dell laptop mainboard into a simple server. It has great power consumption on account of being a laptop logic board, and enough power to run serious server workloads.
Unfortunately, I do not think a universal product for reusing laptop logic boards exists. Although it might be easy enough to make. All ports on the logic board could be wired up to a backplate in the case with extension cables. Airflow could be controlled by temperature inside. Only designing a solder-less power button extension and a universal mount for mainboards in the case might be challenging.
It is really wasteful to throw away old laptop hardware which could be made into either low-end PCs, or game emulator consoles, or home servers, or NAS devices.
Re: $39 Cooler Master case turns your old Framework Laptop parts into a tiny PC
#17This is cool. What I really want is to be able to build an array of these. Like turn a stack of old fleet framework laptops (or lenovo laptops -- something cheap and plentiful) into a little closet Kubernetes cluster. A bit like people do with raspberry pi's (k3s). Has anyone seen work out there to this end?
Re: $39 Cooler Master case turns your old Framework Laptop parts into a tiny PC
#18Earlier quoted context omitted.
In principle I completely agree. But I’m equal measures ignorant and skeptical of this topic. How much EM radiation can those parts emit? Is this a problem in theory, or is it all but guaranteed to screw with other devices?
The flimsy plastic case your laptop came in is no better or worse. People need something to complain about. Most of the shielding is done with metal lids/cans on the board already. Not to mention I'm unsure what the original complaint even was - the Framework laptop has a lengthy list of certifications, including ones from the FCC[1]. [1] https://downloads.frame.work/manuals/Framework-Online-User-M...
The flimsy plastic case has a conductive spray on the inside. That's how it becomes legal for sale.
Re: $39 Cooler Master case turns your old Framework Laptop parts into a tiny PC
#19I know framework is a popular company on tech forums but it's always felt like a solution in search of a problem. Laptops I own that only have a CPU are rarely computationally bounded in what I'm trying to do, by the time the CPU is showing its age the battery and case are usually showing their age too. But lets say I need the most up to date CPU and can't wait, why would I now need a desktop computer with no expandability based on hardware worse than my laptop? And what will I do again in ~3 years when I replace the motherboard again and now have three computers with increasingly aging hardware.
This feels like a solution to a non existent problem
Re: $39 Cooler Master case turns your old Framework Laptop parts into a tiny PC
#20I really like this as a way to repurpose old hardware; I have known many laptops that end up sitting around in cupboards after their 'useful' life is over, that could probably still comfortably be serving as lightweight desktops even today.
Or NAS. Or other appliances. "Obsolete" hardware has a lot of life left in it after the mainstream has passed it by.