What should we build next?

[Olospreckler]

Understood that this thread isn’t for feedback on the current frame.work offering (which I like!), but I think if the company want to expand they should focus on different form factors for the computer – in particular, it seems like people want a bigger laptop chassis for the same motherboard.

I’m glad frame.work exists and I’m glad I ordered one, but the notebook’s slim design trades off e.g. against battery life and hardware customisation. If I could switch my current mainboard and expansion cards into a thicker, more functional housing I would.

@5uie1

I am willing to have a slightly thicker laptop that can accomodate a larger battery, different keyboard and even potentially space for a modular GPU that can connect to one of the USB-C ports (I’m willing to sacrifice one).

@njf

Well I’m going to be one in a very small minority here. There are many good ideas in this thread but I strongly believe Framework should continue to walk before they try running. There is so much scope for different laptop sizes, screen types, processors etc that it will take years for Framework to offer the range that many other computer companies do.

@Abe_Linkn

First finish making the best possible laptop, so that FW can jump into the mainstream with it.

@Adam4

I strongly think Framework shouldn’t venture too far from their existing strengths (yet!) and make something that is synergistic with the current laptop line.

@Barkeep

What we want is a case design that houses all the features we miss from before the thin and light era of laptops; bulk and chunk be damned

@Barkeep

anyone requesting this just wants a chassis that has adequate room for all the features that come along with the request, and essentially it’s a call to ignore thickness/slim design as a major criterion for the total thickness of the design

A bigger laptop chassis could address a lot of limitations on customisation:

• Room for a bigger battery
• Space for replaceable ‘low-profile’ mechanical keyswitches / trackpoint ‘nub’
• Bigger screen, possibly with a different aspect ratio
• Room for a trackball instead of a pad (cf MNT Reform: The Much More Personal Computer—MNT Research GmbH)

Most of the people I see buying frame.work laptops are right-to-repair/open source/linux types, and I don’t think there’s a lot of overlap there with people who really care about having the slimmest, sleekest laptop in the room. I was attracted to the frame.work because I want a better ThinkPad, not a better MacBook.

Again, glad frame.work exists and glad I ordered one. Most companies would never take suggestions from their customers like this.