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$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

#31

Post by echelon »

sonzohan wrote: post #30
guywithahat wrote: post #19

I 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 expanda…

There are three problems it solves: 1. Upgrading is cheaper than a whole new system. This saves consumers money. Modern laptops increasingly solder parts down, making upgrades nigh-impossible (I've tried multiple times). Most tech companies have trade-in programs, but with dismal exhange rates. This gives the user more options and control over their hardware. 2. Countering planned obsolence and expensive repair costs…

> Enabling upcycling, repurposing, and reducing ewaste. There are a fair number of environmentally conscious people in tech and tech-adjacent industries.

I'm kind of torn by this. On the one hand, I like keeping old tech around. On the other, isn't this wasting energy on less efficient CPUs?

Isn't it worse for the environment to run old, inefficient CPUs?

Re: $39 Cooler Master case turns your old Framework Laptop parts into a tiny PC

#32

Post by mbreese »

Alupis wrote: post #28
kevin_thibedeau wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The flimsy plastic case has a conductive spray on the inside. That's how it becomes legal for sale.

This is a professionally manufactured case, made by Cooler Master and designed by Framework, for first-party sale within the US.

That still doesn’t mean it has any shielding. It’s being sold as a case, not a computer, so it doesn’t need FCC certification. If you want to, you can 3D print it yourself. And the cover is a clear piece of plastic.

This isn’t a well shielded case.

Re: $39 Cooler Master case turns your old Framework Laptop parts into a tiny PC

#33

Post by ajayyy »

echelon wrote: post #31
sonzohan wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There are three problems it solves: 1. Upgrading is cheaper than a whole new system. This saves consumers money. Modern laptops increasingly solder parts down, making upgrades nigh-impossible (I've tried multiple times). Most tech companies have trade-in programs, but with dismal exhange rates. This gives the user more options and control over their hardware. 2. Countering planned obsolence and expensive repair costs…

> Enabling upcycling, repurposing, and reducing ewaste. There are a fair number of environmentally conscious people in tech and tech-adjacent industries. I'm kind of torn by this. On the one hand, I like keeping old tech around. On the other, isn't this wasting energy on less efficient CPUs? Isn't it worse for the environment to run old, inefficient CPUs?

Most of the carbon footprint of electronic devices is from the manufacturing.

Re: $39 Cooler Master case turns your old Framework Laptop parts into a tiny PC

#34

Post by xwdv »

Alupis wrote: post #28
kevin_thibedeau wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The flimsy plastic case has a conductive spray on the inside. That's how it becomes legal for sale.

This is a professionally manufactured case, made by Cooler Master and designed by Framework, for first-party sale within the US.

Yea, wide open computer cases exist, but that doesn’t mean the FCC would approve.

Since there are no computer components sold with the case, it doesn’t need FCC certification. It is the responsibility of the end user to comply with all local regulation. Pretty simple to understand.

Re: $39 Cooler Master case turns your old Framework Laptop parts into a tiny PC

#35

Post by ripley12 »

echelon wrote: post #31
sonzohan wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There are three problems it solves: 1. Upgrading is cheaper than a whole new system. This saves consumers money. Modern laptops increasingly solder parts down, making upgrades nigh-impossible (I've tried multiple times). Most tech companies have trade-in programs, but with dismal exhange rates. This gives the user more options and control over their hardware. 2. Countering planned obsolence and expensive repair costs…

> Enabling upcycling, repurposing, and reducing ewaste. There are a fair number of environmentally conscious people in tech and tech-adjacent industries. I'm kind of torn by this. On the one hand, I like keeping old tech around. On the other, isn't this wasting energy on less efficient CPUs? Isn't it worse for the environment to run old, inefficient CPUs?

Depends on many variables, including how your electricity is produced.

Re: $39 Cooler Master case turns your old Framework Laptop parts into a tiny PC

#36

Post by [deleted] »

mbreese wrote: post #32
Alupis wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is a professionally manufactured case, made by Cooler Master and designed by Framework, for first-party sale within the US.

That still doesn’t mean it has any shielding. It’s being sold as a case, not a computer, so it doesn’t need FCC certification. If you want to, you can 3D print it yourself. And the cover is a clear piece of plastic. This isn’t a well shielded case.

[deleted]

Re: $39 Cooler Master case turns your old Framework Laptop parts into a tiny PC

#37

Post by sonzohan »

echelon wrote: post #31
sonzohan wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There are three problems it solves: 1. Upgrading is cheaper than a whole new system. This saves consumers money. Modern laptops increasingly solder parts down, making upgrades nigh-impossible (I've tried multiple times). Most tech companies have trade-in programs, but with dismal exhange rates. This gives the user more options and control over their hardware. 2. Countering planned obsolence and expensive repair costs…

> Enabling upcycling, repurposing, and reducing ewaste. There are a fair number of environmentally conscious people in tech and tech-adjacent industries. I'm kind of torn by this. On the one hand, I like keeping old tech around. On the other, isn't this wasting energy on less efficient CPUs? Isn't it worse for the environment to run old, inefficient CPUs?

Yes, it is less efficient. However the numbers are rather small:

Most modern laptop processors, including the ones on the Framework, have a TDP of 5-45 watts. Framework chargers are rated for 60 watts.

Your response also assumes a more efficient alternative is available. I work as a professor at a community college. I fix old laptops and give them to students who have no means to afford a computer. For many, that upcycled gift has gotten them through their bachelors degree.

Re: $39 Cooler Master case turns your old Framework Laptop parts into a tiny PC

#38

Post by josephg »

ajayyy wrote: post #33
echelon wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Enabling upcycling, repurposing, and reducing ewaste. There are a fair number of environmentally conscious people in tech and tech-adjacent industries. I'm kind of torn by this. On the one hand, I like keeping old tech around. On the other, isn't this wasting energy on less efficient CPUs? Isn't it worse for the environment to run old, inefficient CPUs?

Most of the carbon footprint of electronic devices is from the manufacturing.

Especially for laptop CPUs. They’re usually tuned (underclocked) to use a tiny amount of power. Because power consumption and performance are non-linear, even old laptop CPUs are usually much more energy efficient than modern desktops.

You can underclock a lot of modern desktop CPUs to be more energy efficient too (eg Eco Mode). But almost nobody bothers to actually do that.

Re: $39 Cooler Master case turns your old Framework Laptop parts into a tiny PC

#39

Post by Alupis »

mbreese wrote: post #32
Alupis wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is a professionally manufactured case, made by Cooler Master and designed by Framework, for first-party sale within the US.

That still doesn’t mean it has any shielding. It’s being sold as a case, not a computer, so it doesn’t need FCC certification. If you want to, you can 3D print it yourself. And the cover is a clear piece of plastic. This isn’t a well shielded case.

Are we railing against all unshielded boards, or just this one in particular?

There's vastly more Raspberry Pi's in the world, almost all of which live in clear plastic cases if they have any case at all. All of the home built computers, pretty much the same...

There's more bare-board crypto mining rigs than laptops Framework has ever sold.

This "shieldless" case harms no one.

The alternative for the owner is discarding the hardware. If Framework sells enough laptops maybe they'll make a more "properly engineered" secondary-use case down the road. For right now, it effectively recycles old hardware, and that's a pretty good win.

Re: $39 Cooler Master case turns your old Framework Laptop parts into a tiny PC

#40

Post by greggyb »

guywithahat wrote: post #19

I 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 expanda…

Instead of thinking of it as something less capable than a desktop, why not consider it a larger and vastly more capable Raspberry Pi or similar SBC?
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