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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

#81

Post by benoau »

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…

That'll probably be the last time that happens since a lot of places are starting to require parts be made available for some years after the last sale of the device.

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

#82

Post by summa_tech »

nrp wrote: post #62
Etheryte wrote: post #58

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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?

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

It's funny. I think a lot of more software-y people just don't see the need for a lot of Framework features. I deal with a lot of hardware (as a hobbyist and a hardware engineer) and I've seen every USB standard connector in the last week.

I also own something like three different Framework products (16, 13 and Desktop) and gifted two more (13 and Desktop) to people. Really, apart from the fit issues on 16 spacers and perhaps the speakers, the only really unforgivable issue is the size of the expansion cards (too small for interesting hardware like a good LTE modem).

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

#84

Post by distances »

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?

I use USB-A for mouse and keyboard, so I need at least two ports. Both are much better with a cord.

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

#85

Post by safety1st »

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?

What I have plugged in via USB-A right now: Ethernet adapter; Generic gamepad; Logitech wireless keyboard receiver; Sony waterproof Walkman cradle.

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

#86

Post by [deleted] »

nrp wrote: post #62
Etheryte wrote: post #58

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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?

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

[deleted]

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

#87

Post by coldpie »

nehal3m wrote: post #75
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'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?

I have a stash of USB keyboards and mice in my closet, gathered from various sources for free. They're all USB-A because they're like 15 years old. The SD card reader I got somewhere ages ago is USB-A. My Xbox 360 controller is USB-A. So I got a USB-A module. Shrug.

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

#88

Post by Xerox9213 »

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…

Replacing a CPU means replacing a motherboard - this is mostly true for desktops too. And by the time you’re ready for a new CPU there is almost certainly a new type of RAM to get.

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

#89

Post by fullstop »

benoau wrote: post #81
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…

That'll probably be the last time that happens since a lot of places are starting to require parts be made available for some years after the last sale of the device.

I noticed that the battery properties (voltage, etc) were uncommon, as I considered other batteries that would physically fit within the available space.

At the end of the day it's probably worth replacing it with something that probably won't burn my house down.

I almost pulled the trigger on a mini PC over the summer, but said "the laptop still works, you don't really need this" and now it would be 30 or 40% more because of ddr5 and NVMe cost spikes.

It's not a money thing, it's the principal of it.

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

#90

Post by hombre_fatal »

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…

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.

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