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I recently received my first framework laptop after being a loyal Thinkpad user for years. I am loving it so far. I run Ubuntu 22.04 daily and have not had any

by sryie 4y ago

I recently received my first framework laptop after being a loyal Thinkpad user for years. I am loving it so far. I run Ubuntu 22.04 daily and have not had any issues with battery life or the lid (but I do typically leave it plugged in during lunch and overnight). The expansion cards are brilliant and the keyboard is comparable to my old t-series. The aspect ratio is great for coding and I'm happy to see upgradeability is being taken seriously as promised. If I can get 5-10 years out of it like my old ThinkPads (all while upgrading piecewise along the way) I will be a fan for life.

prohobo 4y ago
I heard the keyboard is good, but do you mean the newer T-series chiclet keyboards?
- sryie 4y ago
  Yes, I owned a t430 (and also a yoga 14) so the keys on the framework are a little wider. I can still feel the keypresses and they are a little "softer" and quieter. I use vim frequently so I do still miss the trackpoint and buttons at the top of the touchpad but it hasn't been as big of a problem as I anticipated. I am also still adjusting to the cntrl/fn placement but I think a lot of people swapped that in the bios anyways so it might be normal for others.
  - xur17 4y ago
    If you haven't already, I highly recommend configuring your capslock key to act as a control key.
Goronmon 4y ago
I recently received my first framework laptop after being a loyal Thinkpad user for years. I get excited about different laptops occasionally...and then I remember that I won't have a trackpoint if I switch to a different brand, and I get disappointed. Literally happens every few months.
- pbhjpbhj 4y ago
  Won't fix one child-comment on quality, but is there a TP keyboard that would physically fit the hole in the framework. A physical shim would be easy easier; I'm assuming (possibly wrongly) that they connect via an internal USB connection?
- kikoreis 4y ago
  I thought it was just me!!!
- ElijahLynn 4y ago
  Same! And the first thing I did was check the Framework marketplace for a keyboard replacement with a touchstick/trackpoint. I am hoping we can just pop a ThinkPad keyboard in it with a mod. There is a discussion here https://community.frame.work/t/any-chance-of-trackpoint/1026/46 https://community.frame.work/t/any-chance-of-trackpoint/1026....
- zumu 4y ago
  Short aside: any tips for becoming a trackpoint user? I find it much more comfortable than the trackpad, but my curosr always seems so slow when it's not going way too fast. Is there special software tweaking I need? EDIT: I forgot to mention I'm on Linux
  - numpad0 4y ago
    Control Panel > Mouse > ThinkPad > Slow ---[]- Fast slider almost all the way to right sudo sh -c "echo 240 > /sys/devices/platform/i8042/serio1/serio2/sensitivity" This is separate to speed settings for mouse pointer
    - geoka9 4y ago
      On my X1 Carbon 6th, this helped but not much. I put up with a stiff trackpoint for couple years (that's how I depend on one :)), until it hit me! Sticking a folded piece of paper (or similar) into the base of the eraser lifts it up and makes it feel smooth as butter! Problem solved! I would give myself a Nobel prize for discovering this if I could!
favadi 4y ago
Do you have any problem with resolution, screen scaling? I think it requires 1.5x scaling, which often cause screen tearing and artifacts on Linux.
- rcthompson 4y ago
  I run at 2x scaling and then set the text scaling factor to .85, so the effective text scaling becomes 1.7, and I avoid the issues with non-integer scaling in Wayland.
  - gnufied 4y ago
    Text scaling via tweaks tool? That setting though is not respected by all apps though right? What happens if you connect an external display?
    - rcthompson 4y ago
      Yes, using the tweak tool. I believe there were also a few apps I had to tweak separately, like setting the default zoom level in Firefox. As for external displays, I don't generally connect my laptop to one, since my displays are connected to the desktop PC that I also own (which I run at 150% scaling in X11 mode so that fractional scaling actually looks good).
- sryie 4y ago
  Oh, good point. Yes, my resolution is 2256x1504 and found the 1x too small so I have to scale it up. I haven't had any issues but I also typically do lower level and back end type work (occasional front end when needed). I also haven't done any gaming with the laptop (except some minor experimentation with Godot). If you are a designer or serious artist I recommend at least trying out your os with fractional scaling first.
reaperducer 4y ago
have not had any issues with battery life Looks like it can be charged from any USB-C port you install in it. Much better than my work-assigned ThinkPad, which only allows charging through one specific port. As if everyone on the planet has their wall plug in the same location.
- sryie 4y ago
  Yeah, that is a nice feature. I put USB c ports on both sides so I can plug it in based on where an outlet is relative to where I'm sitting.
efsavage 4y ago
> The aspect ratio is great for coding If I ever need to buy a laptop this would be a huge feature for me, I would love if they still made 4:3 displays for desktops, it's so much better for the triple-wide setup I prefer, especially on the sides.
- ProZsolt 4y ago
  Curved ultrawide is the way to go. I can run three apps side-by-side on my a 38" Dell.
xur17 4y ago
> and the keyboard is comparable to my old t-series. Really happy to hear this bit since it's my main concern when buying a new laptop. My 2 other questions - how long does the battery last, and how is overall build quality?
- sryie 4y ago
  I am happy with the build quality so far. It feels sturdy and lightweight. The laptop is noticeably lighter and thinner than my old ThinkPad. With the lid open it is about the same height as my 14 inch but there is more vertical screen real estate because there is less black around the display area. I have read about issues with the hinges but I think this has been fixed now. I have not had hinge issues. I opened up the laptop to take a look inside when I first got it and everything came apart and went back together nicely (my only surprise was one screw does not come out all the way by design which I had to Google about). The expansion slots are maybe a little too sturdy and require a good amount of force to remove. For battery life I think an average user can expect 5 to 6 hours. I use mine for about 5 hours with Firefox (around 10-20 tabs) and a few terminal processes and will still have about 20% remaining.

by sryie 4y ago

prohobo 4y ago

I heard the keyboard is good, but do you mean the newer T-series chiclet keyboards?

sryie 4y ago
Yes, I owned a t430 (and also a yoga 14) so the keys on the framework are a little wider. I can still feel the keypresses and they are a little "softer" and quieter. I use vim frequently so I do still miss the trackpoint and buttons at the top of the touchpad but it hasn't been as big of a problem as I anticipated. I am also still adjusting to the cntrl/fn placement but I think a lot of people swapped that in the bios anyways so it might be normal for others.
- xur17 4y ago
  If you haven't already, I highly recommend configuring your capslock key to act as a control key.

Goronmon 4y ago

I recently received my first framework laptop after being a loyal Thinkpad user for years. I get excited about different laptops occasionally...and then I remember that I won't have a trackpoint if I switch to a different brand, and I get disappointed. Literally happens every few months.

pbhjpbhj 4y ago
Won't fix one child-comment on quality, but is there a TP keyboard that would physically fit the hole in the framework. A physical shim would be easy easier; I'm assuming (possibly wrongly) that they connect via an internal USB connection?
kikoreis 4y ago
I thought it was just me!!!
ElijahLynn 4y ago
Same! And the first thing I did was check the Framework marketplace for a keyboard replacement with a touchstick/trackpoint. I am hoping we can just pop a ThinkPad keyboard in it with a mod. There is a discussion here https://community.frame.work/t/any-chance-of-trackpoint/1026/46 https://community.frame.work/t/any-chance-of-trackpoint/1026....
zumu 4y ago
Short aside: any tips for becoming a trackpoint user? I find it much more comfortable than the trackpad, but my curosr always seems so slow when it's not going way too fast. Is there special software tweaking I need? EDIT: I forgot to mention I'm on Linux
- numpad0 4y ago
  Control Panel > Mouse > ThinkPad > Slow ---[]- Fast slider almost all the way to right sudo sh -c "echo 240 > /sys/devices/platform/i8042/serio1/serio2/sensitivity" This is separate to speed settings for mouse pointer
  - geoka9 4y ago
    On my X1 Carbon 6th, this helped but not much. I put up with a stiff trackpoint for couple years (that's how I depend on one :)), until it hit me! Sticking a folded piece of paper (or similar) into the base of the eraser lifts it up and makes it feel smooth as butter! Problem solved! I would give myself a Nobel prize for discovering this if I could!

favadi 4y ago

Do you have any problem with resolution, screen scaling? I think it requires 1.5x scaling, which often cause screen tearing and artifacts on Linux.

rcthompson 4y ago
I run at 2x scaling and then set the text scaling factor to .85, so the effective text scaling becomes 1.7, and I avoid the issues with non-integer scaling in Wayland.
- gnufied 4y ago
  Text scaling via tweaks tool? That setting though is not respected by all apps though right? What happens if you connect an external display?
  - rcthompson 4y ago
    Yes, using the tweak tool. I believe there were also a few apps I had to tweak separately, like setting the default zoom level in Firefox. As for external displays, I don't generally connect my laptop to one, since my displays are connected to the desktop PC that I also own (which I run at 150% scaling in X11 mode so that fractional scaling actually looks good).
sryie 4y ago
Oh, good point. Yes, my resolution is 2256x1504 and found the 1x too small so I have to scale it up. I haven't had any issues but I also typically do lower level and back end type work (occasional front end when needed). I also haven't done any gaming with the laptop (except some minor experimentation with Godot). If you are a designer or serious artist I recommend at least trying out your os with fractional scaling first.

reaperducer 4y ago

have not had any issues with battery life Looks like it can be charged from any USB-C port you install in it. Much better than my work-assigned ThinkPad, which only allows charging through one specific port. As if everyone on the planet has their wall plug in the same location.

sryie 4y ago
Yeah, that is a nice feature. I put USB c ports on both sides so I can plug it in based on where an outlet is relative to where I'm sitting.

efsavage 4y ago

> The aspect ratio is great for coding If I ever need to buy a laptop this would be a huge feature for me, I would love if they still made 4:3 displays for desktops, it's so much better for the triple-wide setup I prefer, especially on the sides.

ProZsolt 4y ago
Curved ultrawide is the way to go. I can run three apps side-by-side on my a 38" Dell.

xur17 4y ago

> and the keyboard is comparable to my old t-series. Really happy to hear this bit since it's my main concern when buying a new laptop. My 2 other questions - how long does the battery last, and how is overall build quality?

sryie 4y ago
I am happy with the build quality so far. It feels sturdy and lightweight. The laptop is noticeably lighter and thinner than my old ThinkPad. With the lid open it is about the same height as my 14 inch but there is more vertical screen real estate because there is less black around the display area. I have read about issues with the hinges but I think this has been fixed now. I have not had hinge issues. I opened up the laptop to take a look inside when I first got it and everything came apart and went back together nicely (my only surprise was one screw does not come out all the way by design which I had to Google about). The expansion slots are maybe a little too sturdy and require a good amount of force to remove. For battery life I think an average user can expect 5 to 6 hours. I use mine for about 5 hours with Firefox (around 10-20 tabs) and a few terminal processes and will still have about 20% remaining.