Framework Laptop 13 AMD DIY 2.8k - issues, one year in

[_ce]

After a recent back and forth with Framework Support, I wanted to share my experience here after almost one year of daily use of my Framework Laptop 13 DIY Edition (AMD Ryzen 5 7640U - 2.8k Display), running Windows 11 Pro, ordered on 20/08/2024 and delivered on 12/09/2024.

Overall, I’ve been very happy with this laptop and its whole ecosystem. There have been a number of issues and annoyances, more so than previous laptops after several years, but I somewhat understand this is part of the deal. Laptop has been treated with care and travels everywhere, so some wear is expected. There have been no drops or impact accidents of any kind.

Support has been very responsive and forthcoming, always following a strict protocol and with an intention to identify factory problems or invoke Customer-induced-Damage otherwise. Don’t expect any warranty replacement for any part that no longer looks and feels pristine. Frankly, this is somewhat expected, just as long as it will serve to improve the next models.

In order of severity:

1. 2.8k display top coating wear and damage, causing dead pixels. Customer-induced-Damage. Expected, but a letdown nevertheless. The wear seems to line up with the keyboard key corners, chamfer and touch pad. Perhaps some debris was caught inside the keyboard and snagged the coating.

A warning: the coating is much more fragile than expected, and I probably should have bought a screen protector from the start, and will do so after replacing the screen as an extra insurance. I’ve attached the pictures.

2. The 2.8k bezel adhesive was stuck so tightly to the screen that it almost ripped off the bottom shielding and felt awkward to take off - a plectrum saved the day - did not expect this and would have expected another word of caution in the manual.

3. Certain keyboard keys are failing intermittently after wake (0 and -). This annoying problem only started this month, and seems like some kind of hardware signal issue.

4. Too loose touchpad. From the beginning, the touchpad has been a bit off, occassionally causing one corner to float loosely above its intended resting space. This only happens occassionally, probably room temperature related, but gives it a low quality feel.

5. Laptop turning off when magnets are near. This is due to the hall sensors thinking the lid is closed. This jumpscared me at the beginning, because it suddently seems to power off whenever I was carrying a magnetic earphone case in my pocket and moved it around on my lap. Can be worked around.

Resolved:

• BSOD / hard freeze after wake occassionally - sometimes recovered by graphics driver reset - seemed to have resolved itself only a few months ago after an AMD graphics driver (v2.05) or BIOS update (3.09) or relocating HDMI module to top-left slot - difficult to deal with.

• Touchpad gone after wake, no cursor, requiring reboot - frequent - this seemed to have stopped after unmarking “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power” for “USB Input Device” - difficult to deal with.

  
  

[lbkNhubert]

That’s a bummer re screen. I would suggest placing a thin microfiber cloth between the keyboard and the screen when you have the machine closed. to try to prevent the scratches from happening.

[_ce]

Indeed, that is an option, but I am looking for something more permanent as it is easy to misplace the microfiber cloth. I have seen some positive experiences with matte adhesive screen protectors made specifically for this laptop. Now that I have a screen that can be written off, I might as well try one on this one first.

I’ve also noticed that the dead pixel defect occurs to be just slightly above the touchpad, but not touching any of the keys, possibly at the chamfered space between spacebar and the touchpad.

[lbkNhubert]

For what it’s worth, I do both. I have a paperlike protector on the 12” screen, and put a cloth between the screen and the keys when I close it, particularly if I am throwing it into a bag.

[MrTrismegistus]

I bought my screen protector from ViaScreens, the Privacy Lite in particular. Fits like a glove, but it was expensive (comes from the UK) and when they say Privacy Lite, they mean lite. I’d say if you could, get an oversized 3M protector and cut it to size with a precise tool, like a swingarm trimmer.

Also the issue with the magnets is unfortunate, but the exact same thing happens with my work-issued computer. Sadly it seems fairly common.