Hello,
this is my full review of my Framework Laptop 16. Around a week ago, I I wrote my first impressions a and now it is time to write full review. When I was doing my first impressions, I had Windows 11 installed on my laptop (for testing purposes). Now that system is fully gone and my FW runs Arch and KDE as desktop environment. I will divide this review into few selections, not necessarily based on what is good and what is bad but to provide useful information to potential buyers.
Display
In my first impressions, I spoke very highly about the display. Whilst I still have to admit that it looks absolutely awesome, I found some disadvantages of it, as well. First of all, the bezel is not completely uniform. I personally do not have any pinching issues but for example, the distance between the end of the bezel and beginning of the display is larger on the left side than on the right side. It is also a bit larger on the top right than bottom right. However, no pixel is covered, so it’s fine. I am just a perfectionist and I noticed it. Apart from that, the resolution is 2500x1600 and while this is enough, fractional scaling should be used for optimal experience (150%). For Windows, this is not a big deal but for Linux (and xorg in particular), it can be a small problem. For KDE and Wayland, most applications work fine, just flameshot is a bit funky and scales down the screen when taking screenshots. Furthermore, the display is not calibrated from factory and setting a profile on linux (especially on wayland) may not always work. For these purposes a created a guide: [GUIDE] Setting ICC (ICM) Profile on FW 16 on Linux
So if framework wants this to be the ultimate linux laptop, I suggest adding a higher resolution display that is calibrated from factory and does not require using an ICC profile.
Ambient light sensor
This is mostly a linux issue but whilst the sensor works, I have not found any normal application that can take advantage of it. For instance, I have noticed i2c_hid_acpi i2c-FRMW0003:00: failed to set a report to device: -121
error while using illuminanced and the automatic brightness setting did not work. However, it started working when i found a script made by someone on the forums for Framework 13.
Rest of linux setup
Apart from that, I had zero issues related to setting up Linux and if yes, they definitely were not framework’s fault.
Spacers
They do not look very nice but they do not bother me much. Fun fact: they are now considerably more straight than a week ago - probably due to closed display putting pressure on them.
Keyboard
Honestly, this became the main issue of the laptop. I have the basic no-RGB keyboard and a numpad. First of all, some keyboard flex is present, especially around the middle of the input deck (letters like O, L, P). On the sides I get no flex at all. In addition, I would welcome more travel. Unfortunately, this is not the biggest issue - that’s its nonsensical layout. For example, my old P50 has a dedicated button for home, end, pg up, pg down, prt sc whilst framework has a dedicated button for none of those. Even my 12 years old HP with 12.3 inch screen has a dedicated home and end keys. On framework, I have wide arrow keys
The situation does not get any better with the numpad. It does not have the numlock indicator, so I never know whether it is on or off and even the top keys are a bit weird. While escape and launch calculator are useful, I also have a button which is marked as “=” and types “´”. Another catastrophe is the light control. I would understand it is separate from the keyboard but why is it set to enter with num lock off? Just remove that weird “equals” button and make that one control backlight no matter the numlock state. On the other side, I value the modular approach of it. This means if my keyboard breaks, I have to replace only my keyboard and not the numpad.
Touchpad
It is far better than the touchpad on my P50. I really like how smooth it is and some gestures even work with linux. Personally, I prefer having dedicated buttons but I can easily forgive it. Theoretically, it could have been larger but for me it is big enough. Last but not least, I have never had issues with palm rejection on this touchpad (even in linux)
Battery life
This can drastically vary based on how you use your laptop. However, together with power-profiles-daemon and some power management modifications (such as setting the display to 60Hz when on battery or using the “balanced” mode when on battery), it can confidently last whole day without a charger. Overall, I am satisfied with the battery life.
Other things
Apart from that, it is pretty brilliant - powerful and even quite thin and light. Don’t get me wrong, it is not an ultrabook but it is far thinner and lighter than those workstations/gaming laptops. My P50 is far bulkier and heavier to carry around. Add the small but powerful power adapter and carrying this thing around is surprisingly fine.
Summary
I would still recommend the laptop to my friends because the repairability and upgradeability imho outweigh the disadvantages. Now we see another expansion bay module on the verge of being announced , so I am happy to see framework keeps improving the laptop.