Advice wanted: which model? [casual]

Framework Laptop 12
1

I’ve been lurking for over a year now, but I keep finding myself stuck between different models. I am a total noob, so forgive me my non-tech language. On the other hand, maybe I’m not a bad example of the ‘general audience’ beyond framework’s current base audience…

For me, the 12 has some really strong selling points:

  • the touch screen (A big part of my job is reading pdf’s and taking meeting notes, which i prefer to do by hand. I already found some paper-like screen protectors for the FW12. All that’s missing is a stylus holder.)
  • the shock-absorbing chassis (I’m clumsy.)
  • the colour (I work in the creative sector so this might seem superficial, but having a fun laptop would make my day brighter.)

On the other hand, I am no longer a student even if I’m not a tech professional. My work life is a combination of office work, lots of meetings, and travel. Leisure is mostly just browsing. While I don’t need a gaming laptop, I do need a full keyboard with numbers pad. I would like a full screen and a big battery life. I would like the laptop to be as future proof as possible.

I am planning on switching jobs every couple of years, so it’s not predictable which programmes I will need in the future. All I know is that switching out the keyboard for other languages will probably be useful, as well as ports etc. I am willing to invest in something more expensive and sustainable, because I only want one computer in my life. Therefore, a small size would start to feel cramped if it’s the only thing available all day.

My point is, I would be completely up for the FW13 or even an FW16, if they would add the touch screen, casing and colour of the 12. Or I would love the 12, if it was bigger and more adaptable. I don’t need much right now beside browsing and microsoft 365 programmes, so if I know that in the future I can switch out hardware as needed, that’s enough. Hopefully, I can make the jump to Linux when I switch employers.

For now, I’ll go on my with company HP Elitebook while missing almost all of the above. I’m in no hurry to buy anything, since I can’t give that one back as long as I work here. I was just hoping for some advice for future purchases.

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The 12 and 13 are almost the same size. If have both. The screen of the 13 is a bit taller, but I don’t really notice that when caually using it. Might be helpful when opening large Excel sheets or something.

The case of the 12 feels nicer, than the hard, cold aluminum of the 13, which also has some sharp-ish edges. On the other hand, the 13 is much faster. I’m developing complex websites and the 12 struggles a bit compiling the whole site, while the 13 does that almost as good as my powerful desktop machine.

If you want something larger with a numpad, Framework is probably not for you. The 16 is heavy, expensive and a bit unpolished. In that size, a Thinkpad or something probably makes more sense and is also somewhat repairable. But you don’t really find large laptops with pen input. That doesn’t really work well together.

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