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Comment by cconcannon | Hacker News Reader

Have you considered a Framework laptop? They have 13-inch and 16-inch models and are designed to be upgraded.

I really, really, really wanted to like Framework, but for the type of work I do with a laptop (GPU / CPU / RAM intensive video editing) I can literally get a laptop with twice the performance of a Framework laptop for half the price. Not to mention Framework laptops only display option is a (admittedly decent) IPS panel, when miniled and OLED panels are becoming increasingly commonplace on devices that cost less and offer better performance. They have also not come out with a new GPU module since launch, and their current GPU offering is woefully under powered, especially given it's absolutely ludicrous $550 USD price tag and there are seemingly no plans for any more powerful GPU modules in the future. I love the idea of a repairable / upgradeable laptop, but I really can't justify spending twice as much for half the power just for the thus far unrealized promise of future potential.

Do they have 15 hour battery life, run cool and silent like my MacBook Air?

The Framework laptop has way too many compromises

https://www.theverge.com/24185827/framework-laptop-16-six-mo...

I have the 16” Framework model and I bought it as a replacement for my personal 2019 Macbook Pro 16 after the Macbook screen died last year. Apple wanted more than $700 for a replacement screen. After 17 years of owning Powerbooks and Macbooks, I decided to ditch Apple and instead buy a laptop that I could repair and upgrade easily. I’d compare Framework models to the Macbook Pro in terms of battery life and performance. The battery life and performance of new Framework builds don’t quite match the stats for new Macbook Pro models but the tradeoff is that the Framework models are less expensive, upgradeable, and very closely resemble the portability of a Macbook Pro.

They’re noticeably bigger and run warmer with less battery life than a Macbook Air.

You realize that’s not exactly a ringing endorsement right? Everything you are stating as a negative has been a solved problem for four years.

Portability in terms of weight it might be close. But according to the reviews I’ve seen they run hot and loud.

Because of timing and layovers, I spent an entire day going from ATL-LAX-SJC. Not having to worry about battery life and actually being able to use it on my lap without having to worry about infertility from the heat was a godsend.

> Other than an incredibly annoying habit of failing to sleep when its discrete GPU is awake,

I don't think we can blame Framework for that on their own, Microsoft must surely have a contribution to this.

But still, after getting used to apple's offerings I don't think I'd like a laptop where you need to check if it actually went to sleep instead of just closing the lid and moving along.

> They’re noticeably bigger and run warmer with less battery life than a Macbook Air.

Bigger is fine to a point. Less battery life, same. But the heat and noise when you have alternatives that don't have the problem...

Sure, when it's switched off, which is the only way you're getting 15 hours of battery life from a Macbook air.

https://www.techradar.com/computing/macbooks/apple-macbook-a...

> The fact that the battery lasted over 14 hours on a single charge in our battery life tests again shows just how good the 13-inch MacBook Air is for people who want a compact laptop they can use almost anywhere.

There are always going to be tradeoffs. For me, on both my 13 (11th Gen Intel) and 16 (AMD), the battery lasts long enough ("a few hours", depending on workload), and they run cool and quiet enough (again, depending on workload). Still performant, still portable, more flexible than any other laptop I've ever owned.

Assuming Framework remains solvent and doesn't change the physical layout of their motherboards, I don't anticipate ever needing to buy another laptop.

Hah, I was going to say they're an US only thing but I opened their web site and they gave me localized pricing this time.

Ofc, it's easy to run prices through a converter so I wonder where they ship from and where the warranty is located...

They've been offering their products in an ever expanding number of countries:

https://knowledgebase.frame.work/what-countries-and-regions-...

In terms of shipping, they have multiple warehouses around the world.

sadly, i'd prefer a size in the middle, a bit larger than 13.5 inch. also, i really need a trackpoint and dedicated mouse buttons, as i keep triggering the touchpad accidentally, so i have to disable at least the tap options, if not the whole touchpad alltogether. if framework would add some options there i'd consider it.

> as i keep triggering the touchpad accidentally

That's the miracle with apple's OS. And I say OS because I'm sure it filters out accidental input in software. The trackpad is made by whoever makes them for the x86 laptops too, but I really can't remember when it registered a touch when I didn't want it.

(I'm sure it happens occasionally, but not enough to be worth keeping track of.)

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