I need to create and compose my laptop 13. At first, I’m sorry for my english (it’s not my first langage).
I have chosen this one because of its size (I need something I can easily transport everywere). I don’t really know what to choose to build it because I don’t know anything about informatic and everything that compose a laptop.
I need this to play (sometime) videogames (like minecraft) and the most important: softwears like rhinoceros 3d, indesign, photoshop (they don’t open easily on my current computer)… This would be for work, so I need it to work really well. My current laptop is a Lenovo (so I’m on windows and I prefere not to change to other like Linux).
If you have any advice about how to compose this laptop for an optimal work I’m interested and my budget is around 2000€ (a bit less or a bit more is not a problem).
Regarding windows I can’t give you much information, but if you get any of the AMD variants you are pretty much solid for some light games like minecraft and similar, just don’t forget that you will be using the device RAM as the GPU RAM, as in if you get 32GB of RAM and give the GPU 4GB, your system will “only” have 28GB of RAM left, if the software you use doesn’t consume much RAM 32GB is more than enough, just get 2 memory sticks instead of 1, 16GB x2 instead of 32GB x1. Since AMD Ryzen CPU/APU’s leave a little performance on the table when you only have 1 memory channel. If you don’t understand what I mean by this, google “AMD Ryzen dual channel vs single channel memory”.
Regarding ports just get whatever makes most sense for you, I got a couple usb c, usb a and an HDMI when I first got mine, since I usually plug into a USB hub at home I don’t really need much other than usb c.
You can get the 65W charger that framework sells, but if you want to play video games its better if you skip the framework charger and get a 100W GaN charger on amazon, I have a UGREEN one that I use to charge all my devices, and the dock I plug into also has 100w so I can always get the best performance. Its a little confusing but basically the way to get the best performance when plugged into the wall is with a 100W charger, I get ~5-10 more FPS by using a more powerful charger, but this only happens in like a couple games. If you go with a non framework charger don’t forget to also get a PD usb c cable, rated to at least 100w, I also use UGREEN cables for this and I never had any problems.
If you feel comfortable tinkering with tech devices get the DIY version, that way you can learn how to take your device apart in case something happens to it, if not get the pre built version, however since the current RAM and SSD chip shortages, this might be a little more expensive than buying the parts yourself, I got the same SSD that framework sells on a local store for about ~20% less than what it costed via framework at the time, the ram I got was a Kingston FURY Ripjaws 32gb@5600mhz kit for about 20% less than what it costed via framework, you can get other brands, I just chose the cheapest one that had good feedback from the community, I know there’s a post somewhere in the forum that lists all the tested SSD and RAM configurations across multiple motherboards, imo if you don’t need to use much memory, I would get the prebuilt one with 16GB of memory, and in a year or 2, upgrade to either 32 or 64 depending on your requirements, the RAM kit I got about 1 year ago, has 6x the price I paid last year, at least in my country. But if you have the money and don’t mind overpaying, get the amount you feel like it will be the most useful for you, 32GB is the sweetspot right now and will get you by for a long while, if your programs use too much RAM and specially since you are using Windows, 64GB could be the way to go, at the end of the day its up to you.
If you know how to install windows and don’t mind setting it up, you can also save some money by not getting the windows license from framework and getting it elsewhere for cheaper and add use that money to get more memory.
Regarding the motherboard version to get, its up to you, I have a 7640U with the 2.8k display and everything works really well, but you can also get the AI chips and get more performance than the generation I have, and regarding the screen, if you can spend the money just get the 2.8k as in my opinion its really nice and bright, I live in a pretty sunny country and I can use it outside when its sunny as long as I’m not standing directly under the sunlight.
Hope my wall of text helps you make your decision and brings you into the framework community, gl!
Every laptop or phone usb-c charger I’ve seen is “universal”, supporting 100V to 240V AC input (typically 115V in the US, 230V in Europe, plus or minus 5 or 10 volts is OK). You may just need a physical plug adapter for the AC mains socket in your wall, or just get a charger that supports your local plugs, doesn’t matter.
… but it sounds like the “pre-built” option would be good for you, if you don’t have any familiarity at all with this stuff. (And it might give you a better deal on memory pricing, due to recent fast price increases in the global market.)
I think, for you I’d recommend getting a pre-built, with Windows 11 pre-installed. This way it should work out-of-the-box, without question. (For DIY you’ll have to prepare install media, and install Windows 11, yourself.)
I’d recommend 32GB RAM (2x 16GB for dual-channel) for InDesign/Photoshop/3D type work, but that seems like it will push your budget. Since this is a Framework laptop, you could just get 16GB (2x 8GB …) RAM now, and upgrade later when it’s apparent you really need it, it’s pretty easy and a good intro to working on your own laptop: Memory Replacement Guide - Framework Guides
You can even more easily upgrade to a third-party 100W USB-C charger later. So, for you, so there’s no question that it works when you get it, I’d stick with the Framework default 65W charger initially.
I have already consider the option of the pre-built but it’s a bit expensive (a lot of things I don’t need: I’m not really a pro gamer) and also, there is no more french keyboard (I’m already regular with this one so it would be really annoying for me to change).
So maybe it would be a good thing that I know how works my computer and how to change all the stuff inside (and honestly I think it is very interesting. It’s gonna be a challenge for me!).
Thanks a lot, you guys were really helful.
It was a great first time into the framework community!