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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

#121

Post by dvorka »

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…

It depends on vendor really - I have Lenovo T480 and I replaced keyboard earlier this year (there are various options like w/ or w/o backlit + layout (I'm Czech), I have 2 batteries - one for "normal" use and extended one (in size and capacity) for traveling, changing multiple SSDs and RAM is possible (not soldered)... it's not framework, but easily fixable and Linux friendly HW.

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

#123

Post by nrp »

rwbt wrote: post #95
nrp wrote: post #94

Earlier quoted context omitted.

We have the full detail and a permanent fix for this issue here: https://guides.frame.work/Guide/RTC+Battery+Substitution+on+... We still provide the RTC substitute module free to any 11th Gen owner who requests it.

The permanent fix involves soldering stuff on the mainboard, which I don't have any prior experience. The RTC substitute module you mention is just the ML220 coin battery that will also eventually stop working.

The RTC substitute module is the permanent fix, which does require soldering one wire to a point on the Mainboard.

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

#124

Post by gunalx »

encom wrote: post #99
moltopoco wrote: post #61

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Being able to replace the keyboard is especially wonderful because laptops are usually "region-locked". I know people who use relatively unpopular layouts relative to where they live, and it makes it harder to buy and much harder to sell their Macs.

This curse extends to mechanical keyboards as well. There exists all sorts of fancy, beautiful and odd keycap sets... for Americans. Some times for German and French. If I get really lucky, I'll find some with a "Nordic" layout, which is an abomination that combines dk/se/no.

Not a us user, but ended up with us and uk layout, just because they where easier to find. (also works fine for programming)

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

#125

Post by Macha »

lucb1e wrote: post #97
nehal3m wrote: post #75

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm not trying to sit in my arm chair and act like I know better, but do you think it's possible people order those just in case?

Hi it's me from the past. I daily drive a VGA screen and a USB-A hub that connects my USB-A mouse and USB-A keyboard. My µSD-card reader uses USB-A. Ethernet adapter (for when I need a second NIC) is also USB-A but it came with an adapter to C so I have a choice there. All USB sticks I've ever seen are A, as well as all external hard drives. My charging cables are predominantly USB-A to micro, and nowadays I also nee…

> My laptop (bought this year) charges via a DC barrel jack, afaik because USB-C doesn't deliver enough power for peak usage

I've got a Dell 120W USB-C charger from a 2017 Dell laptop, and I think you can go up to 240W now.

Now the highest power is a bit of a compatibility nightmare. I also have a 60W framework charger but it will only charge the Dell at 15W because that's the maximum mode that both the Dell and Framework charger support in common.

But given the barrel connectors are usually only compatible with the exact laptop they're sold with, that's probably an improvement.

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

#126

Post by twobitshifter »

dangus wrote: post #107
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.

Find me a new MacBook Air that’s $1000 for 2TB of storage + 32GB of RAM, because that’s what I paid for my Framework 13 brand new (before RAM insanity, but this would still only cost about $1200 today). A $50 battery pack solved the battery efficiency problem. So for a little extra weight (external battery + FW13 weighs the same as a MB Pro 14”) I get a lot more actual capability in places that matters than a base Ma…

That’s all well and good, but you didn’t consider the processor performance, which is where the FW13 falls behind.

fw13 - https://browser.geekbench.com/v6/cpu/15773121

MacBook Air - https://browser.geekbench.com/macs/macbook-air-15-inch-2025

There is a gulf between the two and that’s what is sacrificed on the FW13. I m not saying someone can’t decide to prioritize modularity, storage, and repairability over performance, but there is a ‘price’ to making that choice.

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

#127

Post by nrp »

zbrozek wrote: post #93
nrp wrote: post #62

Earlier quoted context omitted.

USB-A is our second most popular Expansion Card after USB-C (and before HDMI), so certainly people are using it for something!

I got a couple of type-A cards for my AMD FW13 and generally keep one loaded in the laptop for connecting to random junk like flash drives, charging cables for all sorts of widgets (like my bike light or head lamp), etc. I get dramatically more use out of the type-C cards. And in the quite-rare cases where I really need all of the type-C ports, I'll just eject the type-A card and plug directly into the chassis withou…

Could you reach out to support about the delete key? There was a small window of time where a burr on a batch of Input Cover lattices resulted in wearing down the keyboard membrane in that spot: https://support.frame.work

Thanks for the feedback on LED brightness and airplane OCP. That should be something we can improve in firmware.

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

#128

Post by guerby »

StayTrue wrote: post #111

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 fir…

I bought a Gen11 framework 13 then later when available I replaced its motherboard by a Gen12.

The old motherboard with the coolermaster case is tucked between two books in my library and is now running my home proxmox.

64GB RAM 4TB NVME 4C/8T 2.5G ethernet and ... 2 Watt idle.

I did run "proxmox in proxmox" with ceph and cloudinit/live migration for a conference I gave on this old motherboard:

video https://jres.ubicast.tv/permalink/v1268c650f5d41v26pt0/ifram...

PDF https://conf-ng.jres.org/2024/document_revision_2424.html?do...

scripts https://framagit.org/guerby/proxmox-in-proxmox

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

#129

Post by 6510 »

f1shy wrote: post #100
fullstop wrote: post #72

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I was hoping that this is how it would work for System76 -- when I bought the laptop they sold replacement batteries. Five years later I find myself needing a battery and they are unavailable -- not on System76's website, not online, nowhere. My only option is to either replace the laptop or buy a used one and take the battery from that, hoping that it's good. For the last six months I've just been using a laptop as…

I use laptops since the 90‘. I only ever wanted to get a new battery. Everthing else never had anybsignificant problem, or started to have problems when the machine was already obsolete (5 to 10 years). While I like the Frameworks, I personally don’t see lots of advantages in terms of reparability, ovly eventually in making one with exactly what I need and no more. But then they are a little pricey.

Right, next time ill buy 1-3 extra batteries when buying a laptop.

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

#130

Post by abacadaba »

jdblair wrote: post #39

I'm also a laptop weirdo and I've had a Framework 13 with the Ryzen 7 motherboard since May of 2022. I run Ubuntu (currently 25.10) on it. Its a good laptop, but not a great laptop. Its very light and compact (very important to me), and its been reliable, at least since the AMD GPU driver issues were resolved. The matte screen is fine, battery life is adequate, and the CPU meets my needs as a hobby developer. Overall…

was close to getting one, more for worry free linux compat than for repair, but ended up with a mba instead for now mostly because of the touchpad. someday i will have my perfect linux laptop. i saw the framework youtube video where they failed trying to make a new giant haptic touchpad. don't do this just copy the mac. after you copy the mac you can try to improve it maybe.
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