Are there any places (stores/conferences/meetups/etc) where we can feel the device. I like to type on a keyboard for a few minutes before committing to ensure it feels ok for my wrists
It would probably help to specify your location.
The Framework Laptop Is Great for a Linux-Friendly, Upgradeable/Modular Laptop
101–110 of 208 posts
Re: The Framework Laptop Is Great for a Linux-Friendly, Upgradeable/Modular Laptop
#102Re: The Framework Laptop Is Great for a Linux-Friendly, Upgradeable/Modular Laptop
#103I'm typing this on my Framework now and I have to say it really is a special device. The prevailing culture of treating technology as disposable is something I personally don't vibe with - I always keep all of my tech and have collected machines over the years that most people would probably consider obsolete and uninteresting (there's an Amiga 1000 and iMac G3 currently in my field of view). Having a fully open machine that I can customize, upgrade and repair for the foreseeable future is just so cool and makes me feel like this is my personal computer in the truest sense of the word!
A few takeaways from using it for around a month now:
1. This is the most "premium" feeling non-Apple laptop I've ever owned. Most of the laptops I've ever daily driven are Macs or Thinkpads so take that for what it's worth, but I think most people will be happy with the fit and finish of this device.
2. The swappable port system is actually a lot more useful than I expected. I initially thought it would be something I set up once and didn't bother with again for a while but there are a lot of random moments where it comes in handy. I'm kind of a messy, hyper person that periodically reorganizes my desk and I like to move between different workspaces when I need a different setting to feel creative. Being able to move my HDMI or USB-C ports around for better cable management is so nice and yeah I could use an external hub but I've always found those to be annoying on-the-go and just "feels bad man". Also I don't use Micro SD cards as much as other people but there are times when I do and being able to swap that in is really kewl.
3. Linux support is amazing but there are still a few hiccups. I use Arch Linux and everything works perfectly except for one minor inconvenience with Bluetooth: on a soft restart, the Bluetooth is disabled and I have to do a hard restart to restore it (can be mitigated by a kernel downgrade and should be fixed in a future update). It's not a deal breaker for me as I usually just close my laptop and put it to sleep, but just know that it's like running Linux on most other computers - you're going to have a much better time if you're fluent in tinkering and configuring your OS.
4. The 3:2 display is awesome for programming and content creation, and I don't know why more devices don't adopt it. My only criticism is that it's not a touch screen but with how modular this laptop is it's only a matter of time before that becomes an option.
Re: The Framework Laptop Is Great for a Linux-Friendly, Upgradeable/Modular Laptop
#104Earlier quoted context omitted.
Machines ordered without Windows won't necessarily end up running Linux. Many of them could end up running pirated Windows.
Microsoft actually offers Windows 10 for free, with some cosmetic restrictions until you pay for the license.
Yeah, these days Windows is like Fortnite: free with cosmetic IAP.
This is also why "Windows is a service" according to those Windows Update nag screens, but if Windows is a service and it's free, are you the customer... or the product?
Re: The Framework Laptop Is Great for a Linux-Friendly, Upgradeable/Modular Laptop
#105Earlier quoted context omitted.
Those are the exact pirated copies I was referring to. Or do you really believe that a copy that costs 3 euro can be legit ?
I've been researching this and the sellers of this assert they are selling licenses that are left over and entirely legitimate. It's a secondary market, not unlike used cars or anything else that is more tangible. I think there might be precedent for this to be legal even if Microsoft wouldn't like it be so.
It's illegal. Software is licensed, not sold; and software licenses are usually nontransferable. This was a point of contention in Vernor v. Autodesk wherein the 9th Circuit found for Autodesk.
Re: The Framework Laptop Is Great for a Linux-Friendly, Upgradeable/Modular Laptop
#106Earlier quoted context omitted.
We added a note to the FAQ on the configurator page, but we’ll think through how we can do a more prominent warning.
Thanks for the reply! Certainly a step in the right direction but given the significance of the issue (and unknown response time from Intel) a warning should display whenever the vpro hardware is selected in the configurator. Because of this issue I have to carefully plan when to suspend my laptop -or- shut it down every time. At this point I’d also be happy to buy a new non-vpro replacement from you but I don’t seem…
You used to be able to disable vPro features using on-board MEBx jumpers but I bet that has changed in the last 5 or so revisions of that feature.
It used to be that you simply had an S3/4/5-Off setting that powered down the CSME and any vPro NICs. Some implementations did leave WoL on for Ethernet links.
Re: The Framework Laptop Is Great for a Linux-Friendly, Upgradeable/Modular Laptop
#107I'm typing this on my Framework now and I have to say it really is a special device. The prevailing culture of treating technology as disposable is something I personally don't vibe with - I always keep all of my tech and have collected machines over the years that most people would probably consider obsolete and uninteresting (there's an Amiga 1000 and iMac G3 currently in my field of view). Having a fully open mach…
Thank you for posting this! I run linux on two XPS 15s and I love them but after manually repairing one and not being able to easily find parts for it it left me a little salty. My next laptop will most definitely be a framework one!
Your second point about the swappable ports finally made me realize it's not a gimmick. I don't know why but I think just because it's different I was a little apprehensive about it. The thought of being able to reconfigure it to avoid a dongle or hub is great.
Re: The Framework Laptop Is Great for a Linux-Friendly, Upgradeable/Modular Laptop
#108Earlier quoted context omitted.
I've been researching this and the sellers of this assert they are selling licenses that are left over and entirely legitimate. It's a secondary market, not unlike used cars or anything else that is more tangible. I think there might be precedent for this to be legal even if Microsoft wouldn't like it be so.
It's illegal. Software is licensed, not sold; and software licenses are usually nontransferable. This was a point of contention in Vernor v. Autodesk wherein the 9th Circuit found for Autodesk.
If Microsoft really cares about this it is welcome to price Windows Pro competitively.
(Microsoft only really cares about licensing for business customers, enforced through audits anyway.)
Re: The Framework Laptop Is Great for a Linux-Friendly, Upgradeable/Modular Laptop
#109The Framework Laptop is literally the first time ever I've seen a laptop and wished I was at the point in my upgrade-cycle to get a new laptop. Right now I have 2-3 more years of use out of my current laptop before I upgrade though.
Re: The Framework Laptop Is Great for a Linux-Friendly, Upgradeable/Modular Laptop
#110Earlier quoted context omitted.
Strange considering other OEMs bundle it for the same cost as Linux. Framework's loss or they just don't consider it important?
Or Microsoft puts subtle, legally deniable pressure on the OEMs. I've never managed to buy the laptop i want without a windows license. Often it's been a PITA to take it off, too, to add insult to extra cost. In the 90s they threw their hands up and said it was nothing to do with them that this kept on happening and it was all a hare brained conspiracy. Until that memo came out and proved otherwise, of course. I can'…
That's fair. I'm no MS fan for the record. Just assumed Framework would have access to some OEM deal on Windows OSes.
My next laptop is definitely going to be something without Windows (Linux user for the last ~15 or so years).