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$39 Cooler Master case turns your old Framework Laptop parts into a tiny PC

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Re: $39 Cooler Master case turns your old Framework Laptop parts into a tiny PC

#91

Post by its-summertime »

guywithahat wrote: post #19

I know framework is a popular company on tech forums but it's always felt like a solution in search of a problem. Laptops I own that only have a CPU are rarely computationally bounded in what I'm trying to do, by the time the CPU is showing its age the battery and case are usually showing their age too. But lets say I need the most up to date CPU and can't wait, why would I now need a desktop computer with no expanda…

There is the socket problem with desktops, if the next gen requires a different socket, you need to replace the motherboard.

There is the chipset problem with desktops, if you are wanting a feature of a newer cpu, you might need to replace the motherboard again even if the sockets match.

I don't really hear about people upgrading just their CPU, its always either more ram or more video : so to consider the cpu and motherboard as one unit, I do not think it is different than how build-your-own desktop computers are now.

(also noting that you can change the ram and add a videocard to current framework laptops).

- - -

Enthusiasts are somewhat a focus for frmaework consumption at the moment, in turn, pet projects are probably going to be the focus. Emulation-centric consoles, home servers, etc, are probably going to be a signifigant portion of old mobos

- - -

framework 16 has a dedicated video/expansion bay

Re: $39 Cooler Master case turns your old Framework Laptop parts into a tiny PC

#92

Post by lostlogin »

vladvasiliu wrote: post #88
cbsks wrote: post #78

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have a few old laptops as servers at home. It’s great because they have a (limited) built-in battery backup, and a keyboard and screen are there if you need a local terminal.

My biggest issue with those is that sometimes their cooling solution is ridiculously bad. They have a next-to-nonexistent heat sink, so the fan needs to spin like crazy to cool it down. Bonus points for the fan stopping from time to time, so it has to spin even faster than it would need to if it were running all the time. Had this is an older HP laptop. My newer one lets me configure it so that the fan spins all the…

A fanless laptop sounds attractive for this. Dropping the money on a MacBook Air seems wasteful though, and I’m not aware of other fanless laptops.

Re: $39 Cooler Master case turns your old Framework Laptop parts into a tiny PC

#93

Post by lostlogin »

sonzohan wrote: post #37
echelon wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Enabling upcycling, repurposing, and reducing ewaste. There are a fair number of environmentally conscious people in tech and tech-adjacent industries. I'm kind of torn by this. On the one hand, I like keeping old tech around. On the other, isn't this wasting energy on less efficient CPUs? Isn't it worse for the environment to run old, inefficient CPUs?

Yes, it is less efficient. However the numbers are rather small: Most modern laptop processors, including the ones on the Framework, have a TDP of 5-45 watts. Framework chargers are rated for 60 watts. Your response also assumes a more efficient alternative is available. I work as a professor at a community college. I fix old laptops and give them to students who have no means to afford a computer. For many, that upc…

Do you get funding for this or support from anywhere?

It’s a very positive thing.

Re: $39 Cooler Master case turns your old Framework Laptop parts into a tiny PC

#94

Post by mdrzn »

Sindrehan wrote: post #90
jay_kyburz wrote: post #69

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I bet if you look in the app store there is something in there that will let you use your phone as a media remote.

I use Unified Remote ( https://www.unifiedremote.com/ ) for this, works great.

I agree with this sentiment, I also purchased the pro version and it's the only app I ever bought.

It just works.

Re: $39 Cooler Master case turns your old Framework Laptop parts into a tiny PC

#95

Post by lostlogin »

rhn_mk1 wrote: post #81
sonzohan wrote: post #65

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> You can't convince me that the average Framework laptop is more environmentally friendly than a Macbook Air over its lifetime. How do I put more RAM in my 8GB Macbook Air?

*without replacing the entire thing

If you’re planning on keeping it a long time, surely you’d get more RAM at purchase time?

Minimum ram is never going to be good in 5-10 years.

Re: $39 Cooler Master case turns your old Framework Laptop parts into a tiny PC

#96

Post by rsync »

nnnnc wrote: post #82
clnq wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes, or servers. I've been searching for ways to convert an older Dell laptop mainboard into a simple server. It has great power consumption on account of being a laptop logic board, and enough power to run serious server workloads. Unfortunately, I do not think a universal product for reusing laptop logic boards exists. Although it might be easy enough to make. All ports on the logic board could be wired up to a bac…

You don’t need to re-case them. I had three old thinkpads as servers a few years ago. Took the batteries out and connected them to Ethernet switch. Built in KVM. Job done!

Yes - built-in kvm and built-in UPS.

I had an old dell laptop that had a double-high pcmcia port and I inserted two xircom realport LAN cards and had a very nice router with three NICs and no dongles.

Re: $39 Cooler Master case turns your old Framework Laptop parts into a tiny PC

#97

Post by lonesword »

I love the size of that case. I've been looking for a tiny case that can fit a GPU. This doesn't look like that though. It doesn't have to fit the largest GPU - I'd be happy if it can fit a gtx 3060. Does anyone have recommendations?

This[1] is the closest I could find and it fits a 4090. But it's still biggish and costs $280, which is a bit too much to spend on a case.

[1] https://formdworks.com/collections/t1-1/products/t1-sandwich...

Re: $39 Cooler Master case turns your old Framework Laptop parts into a tiny PC

#98

Post by pb82 »

fbdab103 wrote: post #71
brnaftr361 wrote: post #63

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I thought the same thing, too. But I also wonder if the cooler mounting pattern is going to be compatible with consumer market coolers. I expect the one they've chosen is already tooled. I've got an older laptop with a busted screen, I've thought about pulling the mainboard and dropping it into a 3D printed chassis myself, and using it as a server. Haven't gotten around to it.

How much cooling does a laptop specced processor require? Presumably they are already engineered to run at lower power (<20 watts) and have severe thermal throttling by default.

Framework uses 28W (TDP) class CPUs on their Intel boards. Better cooling would allow better boosting behaviour. Still, this case plus one of their 13th gen or AMD boards is very tempting.

Re: $39 Cooler Master case turns your old Framework Laptop parts into a tiny PC

#99

Post by nnnnc »

rsync wrote: post #96
nnnnc wrote: post #82

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You don’t need to re-case them. I had three old thinkpads as servers a few years ago. Took the batteries out and connected them to Ethernet switch. Built in KVM. Job done!

Yes - built-in kvm and built-in UPS. I had an old dell laptop that had a double-high pcmcia port and I inserted two xircom realport LAN cards and had a very nice router with three NICs and no dongles.

I usually pull the batteries out now after a spicy pillow incident.
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