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I'm all for more choice and competition in this industry, and more pressure on manufacturers to reign in consumer-hostile practices. However, I'm not sure that
by StevePerkins 5y ago
I'm all for more choice and competition in this industry, and more pressure on manufacturers to reign in consumer-hostile practices.
However, I'm not sure that I get this. At the end of the day, we're talking about an MBP-lookalike that runs Windows and has non-soldered RAM. And kinda-sorta gives you an option to run Linux without paying the Windows tax, but only if you're willing to assemble from a kit.
That's... not terribly revolutionary, sorry. System76 has been doing the Dell-close version of this for years, to a tiny niche market. The only thing new here is the Apple-clone aesthetics rather than Dell-close aesthetics.
Plus, it seems like most of the comments here are along the lines of, "Oh, I'd love to buy one if only it had a different CPU or different RAM or different screen or different keyboard, etc etc etc". The target audience for something like this are such fickle unique snowflakes, that will never be happy with something that's aimed at a broad market.
Honestly, I think the hype here benefits artificially from Apple's recent bad press, and the intensity of HN discussion on iPhone photo scanning lately. I think there's clearly a lot of ABSTRACT interest in options and competition. I just question how much CONCRETE genuine interest there is in actually purchasing this actual product.
- freedomben 5y agoA laptop that is super modular and upgradeable really doesn't seem revolutionary to you? Nobody that I have seen is saying the specs or look and feel are revolutionary, but I've never heard of a laptop with good specs that is user serviceable so easily. This is absolutely revolutionary to my life.
- evilos 5y agoUh, you missed the main feature of the device. Basically everything in the laptop is user replaceable. Even the motherboard can be swapped and presumably replaced with a newer model. The ports can be swapped too, so no more wishing you had more USB ports or ethernet ports or whatever. You could even design your own expansion card. Framework can release new keyboards, screens, etc and the user can just install them as they like. That is incredible! When they release an AMD motherboard I'm definitely going to order one.
- kvark 5y agoClaiming that the motherboard can be replaced is highly aspirational at this point. Let's wait and see. Personally, very excited to see this product, but I really want an AMD APU machine.
- evilos 5y agoThey seem to be fairly confident about it in their material: https://frame.work/blog/the-upgradeable-mainboard https://frame.work/blog/the-upgradeable-mainboard Yes an AMD APU with RDNA graphics in this laptop is what I really want.
- trulyme 5y ago> When they release an AMD motherboard I'm definitely going to order one. Aaaaand you have just validated the GP's point. :) I love the concept and will check them out when I'll need a new laptop. But I am definitely a "fickle unique snowflake" kind of a customer.
- evilos 5y agoI don't think so. Maybe if I had said, "when they release a dvorak keyboard I'm in!" but preferring AMD is not a super user ask. There's also the issue of they missed the whole point of the product.
- StevePerkins 5y ago> When they release an AMD motherboard I'm definitely going to order one. That's... exactly what I'm talking about, though. "Once they offer a bajillion options, we're all in!" Yeah, but unless the base model sells like hotcakes, they'll never have the capital to offer a bajillion options. lol
- pbronez 5y agoIf the motherboard is replaceable, why not order one now, then upgrade to an AMD motherboard + CPU when they’re available?
- poetaster 5y agoI'll keeo buying leasing return thinkpads until someone gets trackpoints in the program. I'm a programmer. A glorified typist that refuses the 'pad' . Speed, nice. dpi also. But the thinkpad pointer and keys are necessary.
- troyvit 5y agoI see a lot of comments in the thread from people who already own the laptop. Maybe even as many as those who are waiting for a certain feature.