Why I Am Getting a Framework | Hacker News Reader

Why I Am Getting a Framework

rubin55.org

48 pointsrubin5526 comments

"Historically I’ve used ThinkPads (T43, X220, X230, W520, T14s), Macs (PowerBook G4, Apple Cube, G5, MacBook Pro 14 2017), and even a few Surface devices (Surface Pro 4, Surface Pro X)."

When I read the part above I have my answer. Because he likes buying shit just for the sake of buying shit. 11 different models spanning roughly a 20y timespan? That is on average less than 2 years between each model.

He didn't mention the word "buy" even once on the article. Maybe he needs to use those machines for work :)

Because he states that he doesn't?

> I use a beefy desktop at home and at my office, but when I’m out and about I usually have a laptop with me to hack around on.

I'm not sure how you extrapolate from that sentence that the aforementioned devices were for leisure only. In any case, all those devices (desktops, laptops, 2-in-1/tablety-things) where used for all kinds of work/leisure/experimentation/music-production/graphics-work. Especially desktops were likely used in the same time periods as laptop devices.

Software engineers will often get a laptop at work, sometimes need two devices at home for some reason (one Linux, one Mac or one for Windows games), make money using them (so it makes sense to buy a new one if it's faster / has a better display) and can afford it. So I find your post very weird.

I don't know I seem to do just fine coding and playing games using VMs on one machine plus a home lab, why would I need so many machines?

I think clearly you aren't playing any competitive games on a VM lol

Nope, works really well in modern systems with VFIO: https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/PCI_passthrough_via_OVMF

GPU passthrough is a wonderful thing

Yes. I have five machines at home that I use directly every day.

Doesn’t sound weird to me. In the last 20 years I’ve purchased a comparable number of models. Usually used though since I like to try things out before committing to a platform change. Purchased a surface for my sister. Tried some Lenovo and Dell for Linux computers, tried the M1. Even bought a Chromebook and got Linux running on it.

One consistent limitation is poor upgrade paths. The Chromebook is hilariously nerfed. Ram and disk soldered to the board. I had to buy a big sd card. The Mac not much better. Ram upgrade is impossible. The Dell had coil whine so would have needed a new mainboard.

Hopefully an ecosystem of parts manufacturers will emerge to support the framework community.

Ever since the Moore plateau was reached, the decline in the performance of software and its architectural quality has become blatantly obvious. Upgrading regularly to keep up with the "good enough" bloat seems reasonable and recommendable?

Such a weird take.

1. Many of those devices were used concurrently, especially the desktops next to the laptops. .

2. Some of those devices were relatively short-lived due to accidents (Apple G4 Cube, just 10ish months? - water leak in ceiling exactly above it), X230 broken screen and power connector within 1 year of its use..

The intent of the article was to share some background on devices I know quite intimately and how my experience with them directed my wanting a Framework - time will tell how it fares!

He says he has a T14s gen 3 and it is not of great build quality. I have a P14s gen 3 from work (which I presume the only difference is the GPU, but I never looked nor care to) and think the build quality is fantastic. I know though that Lenovo's output is variable, but the one I have, which is the newest TP I had in years, is solid for what I need.

At least in my view with what I have and reading this, going with a framework feels like a little bit of a shot-in-the-dark, trusting that Framework will deliver on expectedly high build quality like TPs in the past. (better to quote "high build quality" -- I have older TPs with cracking plastic. I had one X220's plastic parts basically crumble apart when I tried to fix the adapter plug. At least in later high-end models, they actually do have decent outer-bodies.) I know that Framework has worked out many issues (like bad screen hinges), but I can't really test it at the moment since they don't offer delivery in my country of residence now.

The P14s chassis is identical to T14, T14s is different and bit higher quality

I know the P14s also and would say it's very similar to the T14s; can you honestly hold that next to a MacBook Pro or Air and with a straight face say "the build quality is fantastic"? I really find that a stretch (imho they are not even in the same universe w/regards to build quality). Edit: to be fair, I also do not expect Framework to meet that level of build quality, even though I would love it if they (eventually) did.

I do concur that it would probably serve quite a few years, but it will most definitely be a flimsy affair.

The Framework is not a complete shot-in-the-dark, but it is definitely a benefit-of-the-doubt. I don't know (yet) what it will be like, but I'm looking forward to finding out.

Be prepared to wait. Despite ordering one last year and another this year (both in the spring), they are both gonna be late for the school year starting in mid August here.

Also waiting for a matte screen, they don't seem to have those in stock either. The screen on the current one is so glossy I can check my teeth in it. :-/

Just sharing a small update: my 4th type-cover died this morning. No special reason, just, open device in morning, type cover stopped working permanently, identical failure mode as previous type covers, idential time of usage more or less (~15ish months?)

I await your feedback on the Framework.

I really like my Surface machine. I've got a Surface Pro 7 that I've had for 3 and a half years, but I don't really use the touch screen/pen as much as I should but I like the form factor. My type-cover has now recently died (the first one I've had) and isn't available from Microsoft anymore, though it's shown signs of giving up for the last few months with not working and needing to detach and reattach a couple of times before Windows detects it which has been annoying.

I guess I've done well for it to last this long considering, but I'm also thinking a Framework laptop will be my next.

@rubin55, Apple didn't have a 14-inch Macbook pro in 2017, the 14-inch wasn't released until 2021, so you might have a typo. Love the site though!

Good point, it was the 13inch of course, thanks, will update!

Seems like this guy will hop on any shiny new device.

Dontbuydell.com

Nice informative read

You created this account 4 hours ago and made this comment and nothing else. What is informative about it?

We all start somewhere. What's the problem?

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