I want framework to succeed and they are targeting folks who want sleek and customizable computers (which they’ve nailed) but compared to a thinkpad the build quality isn’t great.
After decades of sticking exclusively to ThinkPads, these new Frameworks look very appealing. I'm not expecting Apple-like build quality, but the customization and repairability is unparalleled in the market. I'm willing to give up the TrackPoint and nice keyboard for that (pretty much the only reasons I stuck with ThinkPads for so long), and I'm almost certain there will be a TrackPoint module somewhere down the line.
Sure, but laptops back then were also massively thicker and heavier so engineers had more freedom and less restrictions from the design/marketing team.
Nobody would buy a laptop with that bulk and heft today unless we're talking about these mobile workstation laptops with Xeon CPUs and Quadro GPUs.