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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

#131

Post by dexterdog »

fullstop wrote: post #72
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…

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 had no idea about this. I don't see how anybody who is buying one of these because of the repair-ability would complete the purchase if they knew this. I also don't see how they can make all of their user-friendly claims if this is the case.

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

#132

Post by makeitdouble »

Etheryte wrote: post #58
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…

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?

Bluetooth is too flaky for such critical inputs. Dongles will usually bring higer polling, less interference/2.4Ghz connectivity and lower load on the host system. Sadly most are USB-A plugs.

Bluetooth being cnstantly used for audio and so many other things as well might also be at play ?

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

#133

Post by least »

whateverboat wrote: post #92
systemtest wrote: post #34

I work international (somewhat of a digital nomad) so perhaps I’m an outlier in my usage. I have an M1 MacBook Pro that I bought new at release. I can’t replace the memory or storage. But so far I didn’t need to do that. In case it breaks, I walk to my nearby electronics store and purchase a new MacBook Pro. With Time Machine restore I am up an running within an hour. The M1 goes onto the pile of stuff to repair late…

> In case it breaks, I walk to my nearby electronics store and purchase a new MacBook Pro. > Not working for a week waiting for Framework to send parts is not an option for me. You are comparing apples and oranges here. Apple is internationally available because it is 40 years old and very successful. There's no reason why Framework cannot be that successful in 10 years time. Furthermore, when Framework might become…

> There's no reason why Framework cannot be that successful in 10 years time.

They don't have the resources nor is their scope large enough. Could that change in 10 years? Maybe, but probably not. I'm not even sure it's something they would want to replicate. Retail costs a lot of money and the benefits to it are quite limited. Similarly a service network that would be comparable to one of the larger PC manufacturers would also be very expensive.

> Furthermore, when Framework might become that successful, no need to buy a full new laptop, you can just buy the stuff that failed and move on. And if that does happen, then experience with Framework promises to be much better than experience with Macbook.

The experience you're describing is still involving a person opening up their laptop to replace whatever the failed part is, assuming they even know what the failed part is. I'm qualified to do those sort of diagnostics on a computer and depending on what it is, it'd still be more downtime than going to buy/getting a loaner laptop in most cases.

I'm not saying people can't learn that but I know that people won't.

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

#134

Post by dontlaugh »

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.

The solution is to get blank keycaps. Then it doesn’t matter.

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

#135

Post by rwbt »

nrp wrote: post #123
rwbt wrote: post #95

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

I appreciate the response, but my suggestion would be to offer a mail-in service program so that users don't have to fiddle with potentially dangerous soldering (ideally Framework bearing the shipping costs or atleast subsidizing it).

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

#136

Post by zikduruqe »

simjnd wrote: post #119
zikduruqe wrote: post #106

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> 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…

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

No doubt. And don't forget Apple nailed the trackpad experience too. But I seldom need to use my laptop for 20 hours away from an A/C outlet. It's nice, but not necessary for me.

With that being said, I personally am going to start abandoning the Apple ecosystem with each device that NEEDS to be replaced. I'm tired of features being forced into each software cycle, and I don't want any AI on my devices.

I'm going to lean into Framework (or keep my old T480 alive) and GrapheneOS when needed.

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

#137

Post by bluescrn »

Etheryte wrote: post #58
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…

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?

Most flash drives and wired mice/keyboards are still USB-A.

And people have huge piles of charging cables that are USB-A to micro/mini USB or USB-C.

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

#138

Post by coldpie »

twobitshifter wrote: post #126
dangus wrote: post #107

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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 performan…

I don't want to use macOS. (And no, I'm not going to tinker with a brand new Linux port on unsupported hardware.)

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

#139

Post by myself248 »

dijit wrote: post #44
myself248 wrote: post #29

Oh, I did magnificent things to my old Toughbook CF-17 / CF-m34. (It ended up as a franken-puter with parts of both.) First: Remove the internal CDPD wireless modem, remove the internal 56k POTS modem/10/100 Ethernet combo card. Wire the TTL-level UART from the CDPD port over to the RJ11 jack so I could now hack on embedded devices using a simple RJ11-to-bare-wires cable. Second: The modem/ethernet card removal freed…

I love all of this. I’ve never been brave enough to modify my laptops beyond the one time I sprayed a new (hard) topcoat on an Acer Aspire 5520g… which turned it from a flimsy piece of garbage into a slightly less flimsy piece of garbage. I feel like running a Thinkpad x201 these days would be a lesson in frustration (for the browser bloat you mentioned) but that was my perfect laptop. If I could do a mainboard swap…

Yeah, although the low-res screens on older machines are pretty limiting with modern UIs too. Try setting 800x600 for an hour and see how you fare. I have romantic dreams about spinning a new mobo for the Toughbook, but it would have to include a screen transplant too. And at that point I probably fail a lot of the toughness that made it worthwhile in the first place.

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

#140

Post by cyberrock »

Unfortunately the FW13 is how I realized I don't like 13(.5)" and 3:2, because I'm just too used to 14-16" and 16:10/16:9. I wish they had more variety in chassis, not just in size and aspect ratio, but also touchscreen and 2-in-1 conversion. You'd think that that might be easier to support than designing and supporting more mainboards. But when I saw that FW12 is a 2-in-1 I knew they were never going to add touch to 13/16, so I just gave up and got a different (larger) 2-in-1.
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