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Framework announces AMD, new Intel gen, 16“ laptop and more

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Re: Framework announces AMD, new Intel gen, 16“ laptop and more

#261

Post by kelnos »

I bought a 12th-gen Intel Framework last summer when they first came out. Aside from some thermal throttling issues (that are actually kinda bad and common, and Framework support has been so far unable to address), and so-so battery life, I'm otherwise happy with it, after I got used to the screen's odd aspect ratio and made my peace with it being a physically larger machine because of that. (I'm assuming the driver for this was the need for a larger mainboard due to the expansion slots and connectors for RAM, WiFi, and storage.)

A bit bummed that they're offering a matte display option only now; I don't see it offered in the marketplace, but I assume it'll get there eventually, and the glossy screen is $179, which isn't too expensive an 'upgrade', assuming the matte screen ends up being priced similarly. The higher-capacity battery will come in handy, though I'll probably wait until the existing battery gets a bit older.

I'm not interested in a 16" laptop, but I really like the black keyboard area, though the two-tone black keyboard area with silver touchpad/wrist rest is kinda ugly. I wonder if Framework will eventually offer replacement input covers (for the 13") with different aesthetics. One thing I miss from my old Dell XPS13 is the soft-touch material on the input cover. One cool small detail on the 16" is they've dropped the built-in 3.5mm jack and added two more expansion card ports, with one of the options being a card with a 3.5mm jack. Really smart move there; satisfies both camps of people who want and don't want that jack.

I think the thing that is most encouraging is that it does seem like they're trying to settle into a yearly cadence for new mainboard releases, tracking the latest chipsets from Intel (and hopefully now from AMD too). I was a little worried that they wouldn't be able to keep up, since they're still a small-ish company. Certainly not going to buy the 13th-gen or new Ryzen boards this year, but it's good to know that, assuming the company continues to be successful, I should be able to upgrade in a couple years.

Re: Framework announces AMD, new Intel gen, 16“ laptop and more

#262

Post by koito17 »

As petty as this may sound, I really don't like it when laptops arrange their modifier keys as Control-Fn-Super-Meta. My Macbook has the layout Fn-Control-Meta-Super, which makes Emacs very nice to use. Every time I use a "standard PC keyboard" or Windows laptop, I can barely use Emacs because it just feels uncomfortable having to stretch my pinky as far as possible just to hit a key.

I know what some may be thinking, "just rebind the keys in software". But I also want the labels on my keys to not lie to me, and there is probably a risk of some software not respecting your custom keymap, too.

This is my biggest gripe with non-Apple laptops and one of a few reasons why I'm stubbornly using an old Macbook.

Re: Framework announces AMD, new Intel gen, 16“ laptop and more

#263

Post by klardotsh »

_skel wrote: post #85
samtheDamned wrote: post #2

Every time Framework is brought up, there's a chorus of people saying they won't buy until they release an AMD edition, and as one of them this is great to see. Edit: Also the input deck and the ability to attach an egpu as well as upgrade to a newer egpu in the future are huge. This is a fantastic leap forward for Framework.

There is always going to be a chorus about something. Power users are impossible to please because they all have strong opinions but not the same opinions. People will still want different screen resolutions, aspect ratios, keyboard layouts, etc. Now that AMD is available people will want particular CPU SKUs. It will never end. I wish Framework luck, because they are targeting the pickiest userbase that exists.

AMD 3:2 thin-and-light at a small overall screen size (but still usable) and with replaceable parts checks an enormous amount of power-user boxes. Getting off Intel was their last critical hurdle, and while for whatever reason it took them an eternity to listen to that (rather overwhelmingly loud) feedback, they finally did it.

I suspect the choruses will be much quieter now. If I hadn't already landed on a Beelink GTR6 mini-PC desktop + MNT Reform laptop, I'd be considering this finally - indeed, one of many reasons I went Reform over Framework originally was because Framework was married to Intel. And frankly, 3:2 still makes Framework tempting despite my lack of need for it.

Re: Framework announces AMD, new Intel gen, 16“ laptop and more

#264

Post by nrp »

kingsleyopara wrote: post #257
nrp wrote: post #245

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The Matte display version is pre-installed on all 13th Gen Intel Core and AMD Ryzen 7040 Series Framework Laptops. If you do want a glossy display, it's available as a module in the Marketplace to swap in (or you can pick up an older 11th Gen, 12th Gen, or Chromebook Edition which also have the original display).

Is there any reason why this isn’t a choice at least for the DIY configurations? Otherwise seems a bit wasteful and against the ethos of the company.

It's ultimately inventory costs and supply chain complexity to manage a larger number of laptop SKUs (CPU options * DIY/pre-built * keyboard options * any other configurable variable). We're a small team, so when there are areas of the product we can condense into having one default configuration, we take those efficiencies, while still enabling an "escape valve" through the Marketplace.

Re: Framework announces AMD, new Intel gen, 16“ laptop and more

#265

Post by cge »

nrp wrote: post #50

I’m happy to answer questions that everyone has about what we announced! It may be a little while until I’m able to jump back on though.

Looking at your mechanical design for the large input module, though I can't compare the height at the moment, it appears to be almost the same size as the keyboard on the Framework 13. While it would obviously require a new input cover design, would it be possible to design an assembly that would allow a single large input module to be used as the keyboard on a Framework 13? Or would there be height problems?

Re: Framework announces AMD, new Intel gen, 16“ laptop and more

#267

Post by favaq »

amiga-workbench wrote: post #145
yandrypozo wrote: post #116

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm very curious why people prefer AMD chips (I've never used one), would you share why do you and/or people you know like AMD so much?

AMD have been thrashing Intel in performance, thermals and battery life for several years now. Intel are also a rather unpleasant company, I'll happily go with a competitor whenever it makes sense.

That changed recently, 13th gen intel remains to be beaten.

Re: Framework announces AMD, new Intel gen, 16“ laptop and more

#268

Post by vhodges »

koito17 wrote: post #262

As petty as this may sound, I really don't like it when laptops arrange their modifier keys as Control-Fn-Super-Meta. My Macbook has the layout Fn-Control-Meta-Super, which makes Emacs very nice to use. Every time I use a "standard PC keyboard" or Windows laptop, I can barely use Emacs because it just feels uncomfortable having to stretch my pinky as far as possible just to hit a key. I know what some may be thinking…

Which makes Apple wrong, my left pinky expects control there ;-p imo (even though I remap capslock to control).

As for Emacs on Mac, I was forever closing the window instead of cutting since ALT and Command are in the wrong order (again for me). I now use an external keyboard which helps.

Re: Framework announces AMD, new Intel gen, 16“ laptop and more

#270

Post by grecy »

kelnos wrote: post #261

I bought a 12th-gen Intel Framework last summer when they first came out. Aside from some thermal throttling issues (that are actually kinda bad and common, and Framework support has been so far unable to address), and so-so battery life, I'm otherwise happy with it, after I got used to the screen's odd aspect ratio and made my peace with it being a physically larger machine because of that. (I'm assuming the driver…

> thermal throttling issues (that are actually kinda bad and common, and Framework support has been so far unable to address), and so-so battery life, the screen's odd aspect ratio, being a physically larger machine.

That is a strange review to conclude "I'm otherwise happy with it"

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