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I'm a laptop weirdo and that's why I like my new Framework 13

blog.matthewbrunelle.com

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Re: I'm a laptop weirdo and that's why I like my new Framework 13

#111

Post by StayTrue »

I bought the first AMD Framework 13 at launch. It just works and I’d buy it again.

To me their software story is compelling. To use the wording of the article, I like that I can be a weirdo running Linux on a laptop and not be a fringe use case. I had no interest in either of their supported distros but their support forums had the necessary hints needed to get a different distro up and running (plugging in newer firmware from the Linux kernel git).

I like that they’ve given some support to the FreeBSD community and I’d like to run that on a future Framework.

Re: I'm a laptop weirdo and that's why I like my new Framework 13

#112

Post by shriek »

astra1701 wrote: post #49

The really special thing about Frameworks is that you can quickly buy and replace basically any part, not just the usual RAM and SSD -- case in point, when I managed to damage my FW13's keyboard such that it was no longer usable, I could just... go straight to Framework's website and buy a new one for $40. And, I even had the option of a slightly improved one, that shed the Windows key and lacked the god-awful copilo…

Yep, did the same thing too. It's nice that you just need one tool to unscrew, screw things and everything is labelled well that you don't need to go dig to multiple websites on how to do repair/replace parts. But of all things, replacing keyboard was the most tedious one in framework with so many screws, haha.

Re: I'm a laptop weirdo and that's why I like my new Framework 13

#113

Post by vermon »

Esophagus4 wrote: post #55
astra1701 wrote: post #49

The really special thing about Frameworks is that you can quickly buy and replace basically any part, not just the usual RAM and SSD -- case in point, when I managed to damage my FW13's keyboard such that it was no longer usable, I could just... go straight to Framework's website and buy a new one for $40. And, I even had the option of a slightly improved one, that shed the Windows key and lacked the god-awful copilo…

Exactly - imagine if early MacBook Butterfly keyboard users had the option to simply upgrade their keyboard to a fixed version for $40... [1] https://www.keyboardsettlement.com/

One of the white Macbooks used 50 screws to fasten the keyboard. Once I spilled some juice on it and had to replace it. Took forever, but at least back then it was not too expensive or difficult.

Re: I'm a laptop weirdo and that's why I like my new Framework 13

#114

Post by nfriedly »

gsa wrote: post #41

I have been looking to buy a new laptop personally. Framework has a compelling argument. But with only 4 ports on the Framework, I'd likely be switching the ports often. In addition to using USB-C, I often need a USB-A for an external mouse but other times a HDMI port to connect to a display while presenting. I don't think it's fair to compare Thinkpad X1 Carbon with Framework. The T14 range is a much better comparis…

My FW13 has two USB-C ports so I can charge from either side and have one free while it's charging, and then USB-A on one side and MicroSD on the other.

That covers all of my frequent needs. (My main monitor has usb-c input, and I have a couple of inexpensive adapters/hubs for HDMI, DP, Ethernet, etc. - all of which are used infrequently.)

I was a little concerned before buying it, and four is probably the minimum number of ports I could be happy with. But in practice I've been very satisfied with my port selection, and if you do need more ports, there's always the FW16.

Re: I'm a laptop weirdo and that's why I like my new Framework 13

#115

Post by nfriedly »

gsa wrote: post #64
je42 wrote: post #50

Earlier quoted context omitted.

you can switch the ports pretty quickly on framework laptops.

In my experience (my partner has a Framework), changing a port is not something easily done without putting the Framework bottom side up. In practice you need to stop whatever you are doing to first sleep the laptop, turn it over, change the port and then get back to what you were doing before. Repeat the process if you want to get the ports back in the original order.

Yeah, I agree with this. I find it simpler to just carry a couple of usb-c to whatever hub/adapters for when I need to a port my framework doesn't have built in.

Re: I'm a laptop weirdo and that's why I like my new Framework 13

#116

Post by Esophagus4 »

Xerox9213 wrote: post #88
Esophagus4 wrote: post #53

I thought Framework was worth a gamble. I replaced my last laptop after 10+ years because the battery gave out, the end-of-life hardware was so old it no longer got OS upgrades, and eventually apps stopped working. I like the idea of getting to easily throw new hardware at my machine to keep it going. (I also tired of Apple shoving bad experiences down my throat (TouchBar, Butterfly keyboards, thin glass screens that…

Replacing a CPU means replacing a motherboard - this is mostly true for desktops too. And by the time you’re ready for a new CPU there is almost certainly a new type of RAM to get.

Understood - a new mainboard on the Framework website is around $700, which I still prefer to a new laptop.

I'd be willing to pay more over time to have better hardware over my laptop's life. Meaning, I'd rather pay ~$3200 over 10 years for a Framework + 2 mainboard upgrades + a RAM upgrade vs ~$2000 for a laptop that slowly gets worse over the same time period.

Re: I'm a laptop weirdo and that's why I like my new Framework 13

#117

Post by Esophagus4 »

distances wrote: post #84
Etheryte wrote: post #58

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I can't even recall when I last needed USB-A, literally everything I have uses USB-C (or bluetooth for mouse and keyboard). What do you use it for?

I use USB-A for mouse and keyboard, so I need at least two ports. Both are much better with a cord.

Something about bluetooth keyboards... they're just awful. Laggy and glitchy things.

Re: I'm a laptop weirdo and that's why I like my new Framework 13

#118

Post by nfriedly »

eviks wrote: post #16

> Did I do anything productive or meaningful with it? Absolutely not. > I could finally watch 480 YouTube videos instead of 360 What’s meaningless about this big upgrade in quality? So with that and the misconceptions like "You can't change the RAM /SSD" (you can, but for a smaller set of laptops than before), the thesis is rather muddy (unless you literally plan a custom printed snacks tray, but even then other lapt…

I'm guessing that the author is comparing it to their their M1 MacBook Pro, which has soldered in RAM and an Apple proprietary SSD, that is much more difficult to replace than a standard one.

Many laptops do still have replaceable RAM and SSDs, but it's not a sure thing these days.

Re: I'm a laptop weirdo and that's why I like my new Framework 13

#119

Post by simjnd »

zikduruqe wrote: post #106
hombre_fatal wrote: post #90

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The problem is that the Framework starts so far behind in performance and battery efficiency of a cheaper Macbook that you aren’t saving money on perf upgrades. You really do have to buy it for the idea rather than the reality.

> Framework starts so far behind in performance ... Honest question and not meant to flame anyone. What benchmark are you referring to regarding performance; spec sheets or your tools are not working correctly or working slowly? Just trying to understand users needs in upgrading. I have some new MacBooks and some old linux laptops. They both equally work just fine for what I need to do, and I am starting to question…

It's more a matter of effiency and battery life, and that's mostly due to Linux more than inherent to the Framework or its hardware (try running Asahi Linux on an M MacBook and just notice your battery life be cut in half).

I love my M1 Pro MacBook and I wish I could have the same efficiency when running Linux but I can't.

My Framework runs faster, but a lot hotter, louder and with a lot less battery life. But I feel like I'm supporting a good company, a good cause, and I love that I can do software updates without fearing that it fucked everything up like every major macOS release does.

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