I suppose the main thing keeping me from being interested in this thing is that every 2-in-1 convertible I've tried in the past was *heavy* and *cumbersome* to use as an actual tablet. I wonder how this holds up, but I'm not sure it's possible to fix the main issue: the keyboard makes it real awkward to hold. It's like a whole product class that looks amazing in marketing shots and is kindof a pain to use in any of the non-laptop modes in practice. Am I just holding it wrong?
I ran XPS Developer Edition (Ubuntu) for 5+ years without any issues.
Using Framework for past year - every day I have to reboot because it freezes with 20+ Firefox tabs (Ubuntu 22.04, AMD). Tried all options (disable vGPU etc) but no luck.
I think it's a shame they went with 2 year old 13th gen Intel processors for these. The newer Lunar Lake Intel chips have much better battery life and thermals, and you can find them in other similarly priced laptops. The main downside is that Lunar Lake chips have soldered on RAM, but given that Framework already sells a desktop with soldered RAM that shouldn't be a dealbreaker for them.
I would have bought a Framework laptop but here were the dealbreakers - Ancient Intel processors - AMD option seemed to be accompanied by broken wifi
It's not that hard. Just provide a single modern option that just works. I don't want to troubleshoot device drivers in my spare time.
I was seriously considering getting a Framework laptop (but 13") and what stopped me is the limited shipping. Right now I live in the area where I can order one, but I was looking at another country where I'd prefer to live. It won't happen next month or even this year. But if I order a Framework laptop I want to have access to the new and replacement parts and Framework doesn't ship there. I don't want to rely on forwarders. And that's a deal breaker. So I went with another Thinkpad instead.
And on the subject of 12" laptop, when it was teased I hoped for a MacBook Air killer. But that didn't happen. I like what Framework is doing, but common manufacturers are still looking like a better value.
I'm glad Framework exists but I don't envy them. Selling laptops aimed at the most nitpicky never-satisfied group of people must make it hard to see through the noise. I wish them the best.
I’ve been really curious about some of the hybrid handhelds / micro laptops from GPD lately. Framework should consider looking into this market niche as well.
Basically it says buying a used laptop worth more than the Laptop 12
The more videos with the FW12 moving and used before the Camera I see, the less I can ignore the fat bezels. The design language at all is not made for „business“ which is refreshing and they obviously have a budget approach, but such ancient bezels don‘t do a contribution for anything. The lack of any Windows Hello enabling hardware was the final bit for my sad no-buy decision.
For whatever reason the FW 12 is giving me iBook G4 vibes and I love that.
It's going to remain a niche token product for everyone but connoisseurs to ignore with that kind of a specs-to-cost imbalance.
I know Framework somewhat have their hands tied by modularity, but for the 13 I think the next thing they need to focus on more than anything is battery life. At this point it’s not just MacBooks that greatly outperform the FW13 on that front, but also several competing x86 laptops. For the price it’s difficult to justify taking such a steep hit, even with repairability factored in.