More from Longer-lasting laptops: the modular hardware you can upgrade and repair yourself
CEO Nirav Patel tells The Verge:
“Because we manufacture Framework Laptops and Mainboards in Taiwan, we have limited impact from the additional recently introduced tariffs. Some of our modules are manufactured in China, so we are taking this into account for future module pricing for US customers in the Framework Marketplace as we also continue to diversify our supply base.”
Acer just announced 10 percent laptop price increases. Framework will announce new mystery products next week.
Originally announced last June, the open source RISC-V mainboard that Framework developed with DeepComputing is now available for $199. It’s compatible with Frameworks’s 13-inch modular laptop, as well as the $39 Cooler Master case that can turn it into a desktop PC.
It’s powered by a StarFive JH7110 SoC processor instead of chips from Intel or AMD, but it’s not recommended for most consumers. It’s targeted at developers and early adopters not focused on performance.
Dell just killed off XPS, but its new “Pro” laptops pull a neat trick: most USB-C ports and batteries are now officially user-replaceable.
“This is the first time that we’ve had a screwed-on, non-soldered modular USB-C port,” Dell PM Katie Green tells us. She says Dell also plans to bring this to consumers “when it makes sense.” No word on Framework-like modularity yet.
If you’re a Framework laptop user with access to a 3D printer you’ve now got an important question to ask yourself. Do you prioritize being able to accessorize your machine with Lego using this 3D-printed adapter with studs and tubes that fits into the Framework’s expansion card port? Or is adding another USB-C or HDMI port a higher priority? Decisions, decisions...
I didn’t realize it’d failed to deliver so many updates ‘til I read this Ars Technica story. The good news: hardware partner Compal now has a whole firmware team ready to go:
The goal, Patel says, is to continuously cycle through all of Framework’s actively supported laptops, updating each of them one at a time before looping back around and starting the process over again. Functionality-breaking problems and security fixes will take precedence, while additional features and user requests will be lower-priority.
FYI, Framework didn’t send me that promised Laptop 16 replacement to show it’d fixed issues before launch. Hope so!
We told Framework we had several different stability issues, so I was a little frustrated to see the company’s CEO suggest I only encountered one... but I’m happy to say Framework will send The Verge a final production unit with quite a list of hardware and software fixes!
The DPC_Watchdog_Violation freeze, at least, does seem to be fixed in my testing with a newer BIOS.
[u/cmonkey (Reddit)]
6
Verge Score
We’ve updated our review score.
I am unreasonably excited about the ridiculously modular Framework Laptop 16. I did loads of testing that didn’t quite fit into my review, so... I’ll answer your burning questions at 12PM ET and throughout the day, and you can begin adding ‘em now! Hit that comments button and you’ll see our Q&A module.
Don’t be shy: I’ve got this machine right here and am happy to quickly test and measure things for you.
9
Verge Score
The 2023 Framework Laptop 13 has a new AMD option, and it’s a stellar performer.
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