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Framework Laptops Now Offering Refurbished Products

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Re: Framework Laptops Now Offering Refurbished Products

#31
post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes. I'm looking forward to the "framework 2". What's the point of having four interchangeable ports when my daily driver laptop already has 3 type-A, two type-C, an SD and microSD reader, and HDMI-out all at the same time? Give me the cool shit , Framework. Gimme a module that's actually a bluetooth mouse. Gimme a module that's just a horizontal stack of like six USB2 ports. Gimme an ethernet port and a serial port.

Same, I've never understood the love for a laptop with only four ports -- and if you want one of those to be ethernet, it is not flush with the case. The modules could have been slightly bigger to fit 2x USB-A or USB-C, ethernet flush with the case. I hate carrying around and losing adapters. And the case could have been slightly bigger to allow for novel keyboard designs, including mechanical keys with better travel…

I think the laptop is too thin for an ethernet port but not an expert. I'd like a "Framework Pro" that thickens the laptop in exchange for providing workstation class performance and access to 6+ ports & builtin ethernet...

Re: Framework Laptops Now Offering Refurbished Products

#33
post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Introducing a whole new structure for modules would be a huge self-defeat for their reason for existing. I didn't get a framework laptop with the expectation they'd obsolete it in a couple years.

Why would you need a whole new structure? They've already shown they're willing to have extended-body modules such as the ethernet one.

I mean if you want a wider thing with multiple ports you can just get a usbc thing that does that and plug it into the usbc module? There's lots of those out there.

The Ethernet one sticks out a little but a multiple usb-a port one would be a lot bigger and put more mechanical stress on the whole thing.

Re: Framework Laptops Now Offering Refurbished Products

#34
post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes. I'm looking forward to the "framework 2". What's the point of having four interchangeable ports when my daily driver laptop already has 3 type-A, two type-C, an SD and microSD reader, and HDMI-out all at the same time? Give me the cool shit , Framework. Gimme a module that's actually a bluetooth mouse. Gimme a module that's just a horizontal stack of like six USB2 ports. Gimme an ethernet port and a serial port.

Introducing a whole new structure for modules would be a huge self-defeat for their reason for existing. I didn't get a framework laptop with the expectation they'd obsolete it in a couple years.

They could make an adapter that allows the current, smaller modules to fit in these supposed future voids. If done right, this adapter could be completely passive (no circuits).

Re: Framework Laptops Now Offering Refurbished Products

#35

I am really tempted to get a Framework laptop. Has anyone real world stories about using it with Linux (specifically Fedora)? Thanks in advance.

I'm on the 11th gen board running Fedora 36 and everything worked fine out of the box. The UX for upgrading the BIOS was a little clunky, but that goes for all Linux distros. The only issues I've experienced have involved the mechanical components on the keyboard, and support was quick about sending me replacement.

Re: Framework Laptops Now Offering Refurbished Products

#37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Part of the point is that people can build this stuff themselves. Like, adding 4-6 USB ports onto this thing would be a weekend project if you already own a 3D printer. Bluetooth mouse one can probably be done with an off-the-shelf Alibaba kit, the Ethernet module exists already, and all 4 ports are serial by-default (but you could still add a SCSI port if you insist on being a villain). Though I agree, for a device…

The expansion slots are too small to fit 2x USB-A ports in a single expansion card (edit: without an extended body, which will not work for me). They could fit 2x USB-C in one, but the fact that nobody has made one in the year this product has been out makes me wary of the promise of an entire DIY ecosystem.

They could fit 4 USB-C, or 6 MicroSD, or 12 headphone jacks!

But none of that really matters. The elegance of the original model is that you get 4x Thunderbolt 4-capable ports that can run at full-speed and easily interface with any standard USB device. Sure you could add more ports, but you're just diluting the speed of the interface and adding more steps between your device and the laptop's IO controller.

> the fact that nobody has made one in the year this product has been out makes me wary

Did you look?

https://community.frame.work/t/dual-usb-c-expansion-card-moc...

Same problems exist as-usual when you try multiplexing Thunderbolt connections, Alt-mode and PD gets really funky.

Re: Framework Laptops Now Offering Refurbished Products

#38

I am really tempted to get a Framework laptop. Has anyone real world stories about using it with Linux (specifically Fedora)? Thanks in advance.

I've been using a Framework 11th gen for work since I think May with Fedora (currently using Fedora 37 beta). For context, half of the time I use my laptop for meetings and video calls, the other half it sits on a stand plugged via USB-C to a LG 4K monitor where I've plugged my keyboard and mouse (it also charges my laptop).

The two major downsides of this device in my opinion: - the battery life is terrible. If I'm on a video call not plugged in the battery lasts 2h at most and doing basic work (writing on Notion, using Slack, etc) it's at most 5h. Compared to my coworkers with M1 laptops it's just terrible. - the CPU and device gets way too hot without even doing much. I can't recommend a Framework laptop if you intend to type on it, I can't see myself using it to work without an external keyboard. Also, when I'm on a video call the CPU fan is spinning fast which is annoying.

For video calls I'm usually plugging a Logitech thing via USB-C which acts as a webcam, a microphone and an external monitor (which is a TV for me). This works surprisingly well. Sometimes I use a simple USB-A microphone and my laptop webcam, which also works. Right now with Fedora 37 beta I can't use my bluetooth headphones because something crashes with pipewire.

When the laptop is plugged into the LG monitor everything works fine and it's basically a workstation at this point. It's fast enough for what I do which is Go and Java mainly (I have a 1165G7, 32G of RAM and 1TB of SSD).

One annoying thing with an external monitor is that _something_ causes Gnome to move my windows to random workspaces when I unlock Gnome. I have no idea why; it doesn't happen when I'm not plugged in.

If you have more specific questions I'd be happy to answer.

Re: Framework Laptops Now Offering Refurbished Products

#39
post #17

My Framework laptop suddenly stopped charging or booting. Hopefully it'll end up being one of these, if their support ever stops telling me to retry charging it for 24 hours.

Maybe worth a try: https://guides.frame.work/Guide/Fully+Resetting+the+Mainboar...
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