I love mine but I've noticed some of these same issues, the spacers aren't perfect and it does get hot as hell while charging. I only have the integrated graphics though I didn't get the extra. My fans haven't ever gotten loud, at first I was concerned they weren't running, and I'll have to look into the veribrightness thing, idk about all that. I really don't mind the spacers though, I got the numpad so I only have the bottom ones and the only issue is looks, idgaf.
You can transform it from a sleek work laptop to a decent gaming machine in two minutes flat, one which charges with the world’s first 180W USB-C power adapter.
The product gave me multiple Blue Screens of Death, glitched, felt flimsy in places, and ran hotter and louder than its performance would suggest.
I’m happy to say I’ve only seen the computer fail once during that entire month — an “It looks like Windows didn’t load correctly” error I haven’t been able to reproduce.
We even figured out my mystery issue where the excellent 2560 x 1600 screen would suddenly seem to wash out — that’s due to AMD’s Vari-Bright setting, which attempts to save battery when the integrated GPU is in command.
Despite this replacement coming with a slightly weaker 7840HS, I’ve measured 100.8°C at peak while playing a game — and as high as 92.5°C one day when I was just writing a story in a web browser.
After a month, I’ve decided I could live with the lid flex and the uneven surfaces created by Framework’s modular spacers and touchpad.
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I'm running an Intel Meteor Lake laptop with Linux and it's reasonably well supported with pretty fresh kernels (6.7 and later). Compared to an AMD desktop that I use, both have had occasional minor defects. The Intel systems have also done a lot to close the performance and perf-per-watt, even under Linux.
I think the graphics performance and compatibility is a bit better on AMD. That would be the only reason I've experienced to lean that direction. But I think both are very usable, so other factors like price, availability, recency, are probably larger factors to focus on.
I don't know if this explanation will help because words. Using the photo plane as reference:
Two tools, a flat head screw driver wider than the vertical gap where the hook is, and a needle nose pliers. The screwdriver is going to be used to try to rotate the hook to the bottom left to clear the horizontal metal band, while squeezing the two bars midway to help bring the hook tip past the horizontal bar
My issue with the Laptop 16 is more about the design of the computer itself, how it's positioned, and the need it serves—things that are more fundamental and harder to fix.
Design is subjective. I think it's beautiful and extremely functional.
The need it serves is a laptop that doesn't have to be replaced every few years. Saves money in the long term, helps the environment, and is far more future proof than anything else.
Not hard. Framework has been killing it with their previous models.
Once you're spending more than $2,000 on a 5-pound laptop, most people would be better off buying multiple computers—an inexpensive thin-and-light laptop for battery life and portability, plus a good midrange desktop for performance and comfort.
Does this guy live in the real world? This sounds like sarcasm, but it's not.
The bad
Relatively expensive for what you're getting.
On the larger and heavier end of the 15-to-16-inch > laptop spectrum.
GPU module adds a lot of size and weight.
Upgradeability currently more of a hypothetical >future benefit, though Framework does have an >established track record now.
Expensive yes, but you are getting a lot. And you save money in the long-term.
Larger end.. Yeah, it's a 16" laptop....
GPU is optional, and anyone who needs it in a laptop are willing to take that weight penalty.
Upgradability is a hypothetical future benefit? Framework already offers upgrades to their other models. And even a battery swap, which isn't always possible, easy, or budget friendly, is a snap.
This review is so short slighted, and seems to miss the actual point of owning a framework laptop.
The whole conversation about ports misses the not-so-obvious point that the cartridge system saves the motherboard ports from destruction. This is extremely important for long-term use. Ports not only have limited cycle life but get killed by happenstances in life. Standard laptops lose ports over time. That can only be fixed by board replacement. On a Framework, it's $20 and a cartridge reload.
Then there's the cooling... A laptop with adequate cooling for its hardware... What is this this - the 2000s? With that kind of cooling capacity, this machine will last for a very long time.
Ports not only have limited cycle life but get killed by happenstances in life. Standard laptops lose ports over time. That can only be fixed by board replacement. On a Framework, it’s $20 and a cartridge reload.
This is so true! Whether it's the power port, a standard USB port, or your HDMI port, damaging it on a regular laptop can either be costly or impossible to fix without a full mobo replacement.
Looking back at all the laptops I've owned that needed to be replaced because repairs were either non-existent or too expensive, I realize that every single one of them could have been saved if they'd been Framework laptops.
I love my Framework 13, but when it comes time for my wife to replace her current laptop (a 17" Dell that's been a workhorse for over a decade), I'll be getting the Framework 16 and she'll have the 13. I don't think I could ever go with another brand after my experience.
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