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Comment by ralmidani | Hacker News Reader

I’m seriously considering buying a middle-spec M1 MBP, and I also have a preorder for a DIY Edition Framework laptop[0]. I realize devices which give users more freedom to tinker, repair, customize, improve, etc. may never compete for market share with locked-down devices which are harder to repair, upgrade, and recycle, but my hope is that the former will at least remain a viable option. It’s tempting to splurge on a top-of-the-line MBP, but I prefer to split my money so at least some of it goes toward sustainable and freedom-respecting computing.

[0]https://frame.work/laptop-diy-edition

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Well, you get to vote with your wallet.

I'm also considering between the M1 Pro and Framework Laptop but not sure the Framework will be at par with what Apple delivers functions-wise.

Regarding Framework using intel chip, I haven't really seen a strong argument comparing its specs with that of M1 other than the repairability. I'm not quite sure that's everyone's priority. Sure, if you've ever spent 2k repairing your Mac cos you don't have Apple Care, repairability becomes an important issue.

It’s not just repairability. It’s that everyone in this thread says “Apple gave us hdmi! They got rid of the touch bar!” Maybe this falls under “upgradability” but the idea of Framework is that the user decides what to include. Like with FOSS vs proprietary software. If the developers remove a popular UI element, there’s a good chance you can add a compiler flag or find a fork with what you’re looking for. (This is the idea, but we’ll see if it pans out in reality. I don’t like Framework’s smooshed arrow keys; the idea is that I can switch that out to a 3rd party I like. The reality is that there is so far no 3rd party keyboard.)

> the idea of Framework is that the user decides what to include.

I agree that this is true, at least in theory. I also had a preorder for the Framework laptop. In practice, the problem is that modularity in this case seems to come at the cost of fewer ports, even if these ports are more flexible. The Framework has up to 3 available USB C ports after accommodating a charger. That matches the MBP in USB, but the Mac also adds HDMI and the SD card reader. One could even attempt this case with some other laptops like the X1 Carbon (2 USB C, 2 USB A, HDMI) compared to the Framework, for those who would have otherwise equipped the Framework with a few USB A ports.

Obviously, being able to change these ports has long-term benefits where the Framework shines, but personally I can't see my preferred ports changing enough to offset the cost of modularity.

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