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Comparing the Framework Laptop with the MacBook Air M2: A Detailed Review

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Re: Comparing the Framework Laptop with the MacBook Air M2: A Detailed Review

#2

Post by ericpauley »

> What I want to criticize is that Apple would rather re-add Magsafe than add another USB-C port, making one wonder if they are really clearing out old inventory.

This is so minor, but clearly MagSafe isn’t about clearing out old inventory because it’s a different connector than old MagSafe.

Re: Comparing the Framework Laptop with the MacBook Air M2: A Detailed Review

#3

Post by dheera »

I have a Framework, because I much prefer Linux, and don't want to spend more than market prices on SSD and RAM. It's the best Linux laptop I have ever owned.

However, I do have to admit the Macbook just has a better build quality, and Framework could up their game here. Especially the bezel, the general "gritty" feel of the aluminum, the cheap feeling to the pluggable modules. Reflections in the screen are not mirror-like, they are wavy. The screen resolution and brightness could also be higher by a notch; it's impossible to use the Framework in sunlight but I think Macbooks are in fact barely useable in the sun.

Re: Comparing the Framework Laptop with the MacBook Air M2: A Detailed Review

#4

Post by renewiltord »

I actually really miss this style of blog post that was really common back in the day. Very human-like. What is the multi-touch scene like on the Framework? I used to be Ubuntu-primary and the one thing it wasn't good at was things like scrolling in 4 directions. On my Mac, I can move many web things left and right and diagonally, but on my Ubuntu laptop (likely as a constraint of the laptop I had) I could only move along the axes.

On something like Excalidraw, for instance, I just move like I have my fingers on the screen. It's great on my Macbook. Is it like that on Linux? I think I might well buy one soon with this and DHH recommending.

I just bought another Asus ROG Zephyrus laptop and got Ubuntu running on it. I have yet to try LLMs on the built-in 4090, but I'm excited about that. Thank you for the review!

Re: Comparing the Framework Laptop with the MacBook Air M2: A Detailed Review

#8

Post by MostlyStable »

dheera wrote: post #3

I have a Framework, because I much prefer Linux, and don't want to spend more than market prices on SSD and RAM. It's the best Linux laptop I have ever owned. However, I do have to admit the Macbook just has a better build quality, and Framework could up their game here. Especially the bezel, the general "gritty" feel of the aluminum, the cheap feeling to the pluggable modules. Reflections in the screen are not mirro…

Some of those could definitely be improved, but also, I do think that it is much, much easier to build a "premium" feeling product when you can seal the whole thing together and don't have to worry about repairs or upgrades.

It's one reason while, why I'm personally a big fan of framework and their philosophy (my 16 just arrived the other day), I also know that they aren't for everyone. Repairable, upgradeable, modular, hardware comes with real trade-offs and not everyones value function will prefer those trade-offs.

Re: Comparing the Framework Laptop with the MacBook Air M2: A Detailed Review

#9

Post by simpaticoder »

My first-gen Framework 13 with Ubuntu is usable, but has major issues around power. Battery life is very poor compared to ordinary laptops (I get ~3 hours of web browsing and light coding), and compared to M-series Macbooks (which have extraordinary battery life >8 hours) it is abysmal. Suspend/resume often fails in strange ways, and occasionally even power on is problematic (e.g. battery is full but it won't turn on without being plugged into a charger). Repair-ability and running OSS software is an idealistic goal that I share, however in practical terms the need to repair a laptop is very rare. So when it breaks, I'll be well ahead of the curve; when it doesn't, which is most of the time, I'm behind the curve.
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