Framework Laptops

Look. Look. I have zero problem with Framework Laptops. Framework laptops are fine. They're perfectly serviceable and appear to work well and have a lot going for them. I just don't like them all that much. I think that you could do better. I think that they're targeted at people who are smart enough to want a better class of computer but are scared to death of hardware and I just kind of feel like there's not that much of a reason to be scared of hardware so I think the use cases for this type of laptop are limited and I find the hype around the product a bit irritating. It's a perfectly fine laptop; it's not going to be the thing that revolutionizes the industry and eradicates e-waste (though it will eradicate some e-waste and that is good).

The Hype

I don't know if Framework pitches themselves this way, but the way that people try to sell me on the concept of Framework Laptops is that they're endlessly reparable computers that will be upgradeable until the end of time. There's an aura of "this is the last laptop that you'll ever have to buy." And that's bullshit. Eventually the newer parts of your Framework won't talk to the older parts, or your older motherboard won't have adapters for the new modules, and you're going to have to replace the thing. That's just the way that hardware works. There will be a new wireless standard that doesn't mesh with the card on your computer. There will be a smaller storage device that uses a different connector. You can cram in adapters, but you lose speed and space.

The Pros

That's not to say they're bad laptops. They're actually very good laptops, it's great that you can order them with no OS, it's great that they have modules that snap in easily to change and upgrade your computer. It's great that you can swap the motherboard or the screen in easily, it's great that you can replace your battery easily. It is REALLY great that you can choose whether to center your keyboard or have it offset in a 16" laptop. It's neat! It's fine!

The Cons

Framework seems like a pretty expensive way to get a computer. I just (June 2024) looked at the cost for the 16" DIY model With the lower end of most of the specs (8GB RAM, 250GB SSD, Win11 Home) that's an $1800 computer. It's neat that you CAN have upgrade modules, but it's shitty that of the six modules you get for your computer you have to dedicate one to charging and one to audio out before you even start figuring out if you want USB-A or extra storage. (I get that it's DIY but it is very odd to me that they wouldn't have one slot set aside for power. You don't have an option to add that, that is non-optional, so it seems like it's cheating to say that you can add six configurable modules).

I'm looking at my current Lenovo ThinkPad (15 G2 ITL) and it has 2xUSB-C, 2xUSB-A, Ethernet, HDMI, SD Card, and audio/mic. Of those, I guess I'd be willing to lose the SD Card reader and one USB-A but I kind of think I shouldn't have to lose any so it's weird to me that a larger computer comes with less space and would have fewer ports than my current cheap laptop. (This computer cost me about one third as much as the DIY Framework, came with a Pro license, more outputs, and more RAM. This is why Framework seems like kind of a ripoff to me.)

The Use Case

Framework Laptops seem to be ideal for people who need top-of-the-line hardware on a fairly frequent basis but who aren't comfortable working with hardware. I have had some programmers tell me that they are the target market for Framework and I'm inclined to believe them. If you are someone who needs a new processor every other year, Framework is a good option that will reduce waste.

I just have a lot of trouble conceptualizing of that as a real need.

My Take

Again, Framework is fine. It's fine. It's fine.

I just think that for most users it's at the upper end of their budget, isn't all that impressive in terms of specs, and most especially: isn't all that much more upgradeable than a standard laptop. It's definitely easier to upgrade than a MacBook or a Surface Pro or a Lenovo Yoga, but it's not easier to upgrade than a Dell laptop or a ThinkPad or a ZBook. And I don't think a Framework is going to last meaningfully longer than a Lenovo Thinkpad that is maintained by someone with a youtube education in how to open up a computer.

I guess it's cool that you can add 1tb of expanded storage to your computer via a 1TB USB-C expansion card, but I can also just get a 5TB external drive for the same price (currently $125 for the card) and if I can do that I think I'd prefer a computer that doesn't force me to make the choice between a second USB-A port and an audio jack.

So if you want a Framework and it's in your budget and you like the idea, fine. The computer is fine, it's fine, get a framework. But if you're going with the Framework because you're worried that you won't be able to add RAM to your own laptop because you're "not technical" - it's just about as easy to upgrade a standard laptop with standard upgrades as it is to upgrade a Framework (the RAM isn't even a specialized easy to install module it's the same Crucial DDR4 3200 that I buy for work, it's just twice the price of retail in the Framework marketplace).