I have personally used fedora and nixos on a gen 1 framework 13 and it works great. They do work with the Ubuntu and Fedora to make it a good experience.
Does Framework do anything regarding FOSS drivers or firmware?
Regarding your question they say this:
We deliberately selected components and modules that didn’t require new kernel driver development and have been providing distro maintainers with pre-release hardware to test to improve compatibility. We’re also working on enabling firmware updates through LVFS to complete the Linux experience.
I bought my last laptop a couple months before they started shipping to Australia last year (dang it…), but Framework will be high on the list next time.
Hell yeah Framework deserves all the goodness coming their way. I have an ASUS that’s serving me well for now, but I think when I go to replace it next year, they’re the ones I’m going to. Hopefully by then, they have AMD boards in the smaller sizes.
I do badly want to like these… but I don’t see the point.
Repairability wise mid range ThinkPad is nearly as good. Only major difference is I think Framework claims they will release schematics… and as someone who actually does component level repairs I’ve seen promises like this work I’ve or twice, but then they stop maintaining their data or pays get hard to get rendering the gesture null.
Upgrade wise… I switch machines every 4 to 6 years… at which point the chassis has a bit of wear and tear.
Spec wise I buy what I need and add a little headroom with the ThinkPad.
Spare parts are good for ThinkPad and Lenovo actually has component replacement guides that no one seems to mention or know about.
And when I do upgrade I appreciate having a complete spare machine.
I think it’s also not unreasonable to assume my style of buying and upgrading is not uncommon.
This leaves the Framework very few hardware advantages and nil price advantages.
I still think they’re a great idea, but I don’t see any practical benefit over a sensible alternative.
Well, framework has one cool side-effect of their repair-friendly approach: their laptop mainboard can be used as an SBC. I’ve seen a few projects use it in this way, and I believe they even sell an official plastic case for it. It’s a well-documented piece of computer hardware that is regularly refreshed and can be fitted easily into slim chassis.
Oh, and another cool thing is that their screens have magnetic bezels. ThinkPads are a PITA to fix if you just want to replace an LCD panel; framework makes it trivial to keep the upper chassis and only replace the part that’s actually broken. That’s the real pitch with Framework: replace anything easily and upgrade your computer for only the cost of the mainboard or socketable component. Some of their newer devices have a socketable PCIe expansion bay, which could be used for things like socketable GPU upgrades.
I just got a pre-order for one of the Framework 16’s. The issue Framework has at the moment is scale. Lenovo has the size and customer base to produce an absolute insane number of laptops compared to Frameworks operation. So cost is going to be 30, 50 or even 100% more than the big boys like Asus, Lenovo or HP. They won’t ever get that scale unless people believe in it and buy one.
However, there’s one other thing which I justified my purchase with. I could buy a Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme with the i7-2700H, 32gb of ram and a RTX 3050ti for $AUD4,929. Or I could buy the Framework 16 with Ryzen 7840HS, 32GB ram, Radeon 7700s for $AUD3,916. Both of these processors and GPUs are similarly speced, in fact I believe the benchmarks had the Framework slightly ahead, but the framework comes out over $AUD1000 cheaper. Yes the Thinkpad X1 Extreme is their uber premium model, but just as you pay a premium for Lenovo’s business grade hardware, you pay a premium for Frameworks repairability.
As a person who works in e-waste, probably off by magnitide when it comes to how much companies with leasing divisions (Dell/HP/Lenovo) produces over companies that dont (Pc part manufacturers like Asus/MSI/Gigabyte). Its obscene how much desktops/laptops go straight to resale/recycling.
Just popped that Lenovo into my small business cart and got $1000 under what you’ve mentioned (assumed you went with upgraded screen, the 60hz 300nits screen is a piece of crap and shouldn’t exist in a machine of that calibre), but even at that price the framework does seem more attractive.
No doubt if you take money out of the equation it’s a good option, but if you’re on a budget you could hunt down a similar specced Lenovo Legion or something for a bit less.
I believe the price difference came from you being part of the Lenovo business store, I didn’t use that the last time and just used the standard consumer store.
I just re-entered the specs on the consumer store for the X1 Extreme Gen 5 16" and got 5,214 Australian Dollars. Otherwise it might be if you aren’t in Australia, did you get the local dollar amount and convert to AUD or did you use the Australian store directly?
Anyway, doesn’t change the main point as you say that if you are bargain hunting, the Framework 16 isn’t the way to go but it’s still a good laptop from what we can see. I don’t mind spending more for the framework since I believe in what it stands for. Plus who knows what might come with upgrades down the line.
They really do produce great hardware, in my dev team we either use MacBooks or Framework Laptops depending on what everyone wants to use. Upgradability is great and everyone is really happy with their device so far.
Check it out! It’s a great, modular, and repairable laptop with comparable prices for the specs in regards to mainstream laptops.
You can even upgrade the motherboard, which means as long as the company doesnt go under you can just infinitely reuse and upgrade it kinda like a tower PC.
and you keep the company from going under by buying their products so buy it next time if you need a new laptop and can afford it =) and make sure to upgrade whenever you need it =)
Check the frame.work website. User repairable and upgradeable. Neat part is removable swappable ports so you configure the sides of your laptop how you like it.
I'm really happy they're seeing good demand. Fully upgradable laptops have been a dream of mine for years and I've been thinking when it's time for me to replace mine, the Framework would be at the top of my list.
My only hesitation points when I first heard about the laptop was whether the company would survive long enough to make upgrades/accessories and whether the main board upgrades would actually work. The concept was, as you say, a dream.
Both of those concerns have faded away for me, my next laptop is pretty much 100% going to be a framework. Just need to stop spending money on dumb stuff so I can afford it…
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