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Comment by heresie-dabord | Hacker News Reader

This article is vapid. If you have never tried the laptop (nevermind purchase one), you are getting excited about what exactly?

Marketing? Intangible concepts?

From the article:

> I can appreciate the excitement generated by Framework’s computers even if I don’t ever buy one

> I don’t know if I will ever buy a Framework laptop.

Like many people, I have owned a series of laptops. The smartest hardware design has been the Framework. It is a pleasure to use and it is a Linux-first device as well.

At the low end of cost, Chromebooks have come a long way and provide very good value and functionality for the money. At the high end, the Framework is a smart, quality product that is unencumbered by Redmond and Cupertino.

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Repairability and customisability are what make the Framework laptops exciting. So yeah, you could fit those into either of your buckets (marketing or intangible concepts) depending on your perspective.

I'm not sure why one can't get excited about the Framework without owning one. I haven't bought a Framework because I already have a perfectly good laptop. But it's still great to see a laptop like this in the market and I hope that it (or something else inspired by it) is still around when I eventually do need to buy a laptop again.

Contrast this statement in the article:

> I don’t know if I will ever buy a Framework laptop.

vs your statement:

> I hope that it (or something else inspired by it) is still around when I eventually do need to buy a laptop again.

Atleast you are open to potentially owning one (subject to conditions, of course).

> it is a Linux-first device as well

It is a Windows-first device with an option not to have operating system and vibrant Linux community.

As a Framework laptop Linux user: I agree-- it's really not a Linux-first device, but they have done some work after launch to make the device more Linux-friendly.

They've brought on dedicated staff for Linux support (Matt Hartley) and utilized LVFS to deliver seamless firmware updates. They've also continued to address Linux specific hardware/firmware bugs, which many companies prefer not to deal with.

I'm really hoping to see this Linux-friendliness continue with out-of-the-gate support for their new releases, particularly the GPU situation on the 16". It's certainly laudable to respond quickly to the enthusiast community, but it's even better to launch products with some level of testing on major distros.

Framework is doing a good job narrowing the gap between its level of support for Windows and Linux. The Framework Laptop now officially supports 2 distros, Fedora and Ubuntu.

https://frame.work/linux

I gave it a go. The device runs very hot and hardware has random glitches (despite a full main board replacement) regardless whether Windows or Linux.

Once they get QA up and built, I anticipate trying again. Until then, if the keyboard remains too hot to use comfortably its sort of a no-go.

I have one of the first batches and I just recently bought a 12th gen and I can say QA. Is definitely noticeably better now vs the early batches to the point I would say it is on par with other mainstream offerings (while being way more interesting)

> an option not to have operating system

I see no use in splitting this follicle. The explicit option not to have an OS installed is intended for Linux users. I installed Linux and all the hardware works as intended.

Consider that larger vendors ship with Linux distributions pre-installed, and provide support for them.

Being open to people installing Linux isn't exactly the same thing as shipping it, even if the "support" some of those larger vendors provide is of questionable value.

Yea, I gave up after:

> Sure, the MacBook Pro I’m writing this article on works incredibly well — it’s objectively the best laptop I’ve ever owned — but it’s also the same thing everyone else has.

The VPR Matrix laptop was somewhat interesting though, I never knew those existed. Looks pretty nice for 2005.

I agree, but I'll agree more when there's a larger aftermarket for mainboards.

Frameworks are my latest "coolest thing I'll never buy". I love their Chromebook offering. I'm thrilled that they have AMD boards now. I can't wait to see what kind of stuff is going to be built out of the parts people replace as they upgrade. It's been amazing watching them continue to develop their products and grow in spite of global challenges.

But I'll probably never buy one because the MacBook Air and Gram are cheaper and more powerful, and my Chromebooks do everything I need for less than $200. I also don't think I really need project laptop newer than a T-series.

But man, I'd snatch up a second hand unit for $750 in a heartbeat.

>I love their Chromebook offering.

Why? ChromeOS is just a weirdo Linux distro. Any Framework should be able to run it. Why would you need a special machine to run one particular OS?

And, if you want a Chromebook, why would you spend more than $250 on one?

I mean, if you're saying you will go for second-hand, that's just a way of onboarding yourself, because then you'll think "I could upgrade this for a little more money".

All Framework has to do for that effect to kick in is to keep going and building out to a critical mass, which they seem to be well-positioned for - they've got funding, industry hypemen championing the cause, and some "pretty decent" enthusiast products carving a path.

I’m excited about new treatments for Alzheimer’s even though I don’t need them and don’t expect to. Products can make the world better and anyone can get excited about that.

People being excited from a distance doesn’t pay framework’s bills though, which kind of limits their ability to make the world better on an ongoing basis...

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