4 ms·
The framework is the first laptop I've been excited to own in a LONG time. Reasons: 1. Compatibility: The framework will charge at any voltage. I've plugged it
by craftkiller 4y ago
The framework is the first laptop I've been excited to own in a LONG time. Reasons:
1. Compatibility: The framework will charge at any voltage. I've plugged it in to an ancient pre-usb-type-c power bank and charged it at 5V 1A. The official framework laptop charger has worked with *everything* I've plugged it in to, whereas my old Apple 61W would not charge sony ps5 controllers nor would it charge my pixelbook if I let it die fully[1]. Everything works flawlessly under Linux and most things work under FreeBSD[2]. The PrimeBook could reach a similar level of compatibility, but that remains to be seen.
2. Flexibility: Because I planned to use FreeBSD I put a supported atheros wifi card in there so my wifi works great. The video for the primebook says the wifi is included in their compute bricks so I don't think the user is going to be able to pick any card they want from any retailer and pop it in.
3. Power: I have 64GiB of ram inside my framework. While the PrimeBook claims to let you upgrade your hardware, you're still at their mercy for what they decide to put into their compute bricks so I think you'll be stuck at 16GiB for now.
4. Sacrificial layer: I no longer have to worry about tripped over power cords or accidentally bumping a dongle coming out of my laptop because if I break the ports on my laptop I can just get another $9 card to replace them. Any issue with my touchpad or keyboard is also an easy fix and I've got a spare screen for my laptop sitting in my closet.
5. 4x USB4 ports: I am not forced into having legacy ports on my laptop. I can plug in any of my devices in any of my ports on either side of my laptop. I can charge from any side of my laptop. The PrimeBook only has 1 type-c port which from what I can tell from the photos is the only way to charge the laptop so when I'm away from my dock I would have to unplug my laptop from charging in order to plug in my yubikey or any of my other devices.
6. Privacy: I have hardware kill switches for my webcam and microphone[3]. There doesn't seem to be any mention of any such switches for the primebook.
7. Battery charge limiter: lithium ion batteries degrade the fastest at fully charged or fully depleted. The framework laptop lets me restrict the battery to any level I see fit[4] so it can sit plugged-in at a dock all day without harming the battery. I don't see any mention of this feature on primebook's website.
8. Repairability: Check out all the parts available on the framework store. I see nothing like this on primebook's website: https://frame.work/marketplace https://frame.work/marketplace
That being said, the primebook does have some nice aspects:
A. The ethernet port is flush with the device whereas the framework ethernet module sticks out. I seldom need ethernet on-the-go so I don't need ethernet on my laptop itself so this has no impact for me.
B. The replaceable card for all the hardware will be less scary for the general population, but because of that you are at their mercy for everything except the SSD whereas the framework can use off-the-shelf ram, wifi, and SSD.
[1] once my pixelbook had any power in it, the apple charger would work. It just wouldn't work from a fully dead state.
[2] my display does not work through my thunderbolt 4 dock under FreeBSD yet.
[3] which, in yet-another way the framework team thought of everything: they made the switches operate by blocking light instead of metal contacts which I can only assume is for increased longevity or for handling vibration better.
[4] I set mine to 70%.