Thanks for the info. I need to modify my pre-order (get more stuff - and switch to DIY so I can get the storage I want). I submitted a support ticket for that last week, but I haven’t heard anything yet (maybe due to New Years). I there anything else I should do?
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If you are going with Windows, start looking at the Windows Setup guide and start creating your bootable USB and download the driver installer from the Framework site and have it on the USB drive too.
I’d echo what others said that the installation was fool-proof and it took me about 10-15 minutes. There’s videos on the website which takes you through each of the steps in detail.
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Hmm, it looks like the support team replied back to you and currently waiting for your answer for the order modification. If you do not see the support email in your primary inbox, please make sure that you check the spam folder as well.
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Found it. It did go to junk, I had searched for “Framework”, but the email was “Frame.Work”, so I missed it! O_o Thanks for checking!
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I’ve gotten my unit on Monday and have been using it every day. I have a 7940HS (no dGPU) with Crucial 2x16GB 5600, Samsung 970 Evo Plus 2TB and Sabrent 1TB.
Initially I had some issue with the display giving colors too much “gamma” so they looked overblown to me, but it turns out a windows setting under brightness caused it. The setting is called “Change brightness based on content”. Turning it off immediately made the colors look more to my liking. I have had no other software related issue on the laptop, on the contrary, I love the builtin BIOS that allows me to set the max battery percentage.
What I find annoying are the touchpad spacers. I am using a keyboard on the left, numpad on the right and touchpad in the middle. The slight “bump” between the spacers and touchpad can be felt under the hand (although not to the point it digs into your hands, but it can be felt) and the spacers wiggle A LOT. Left to right movement is minimal, but they also move to the front and back making a “clicking” noise which I at first thought wouldn’t bug me while using it normally. But I have noticed that as I rest my hand and then move it to start typing on the keyboard I also slightly move the spacer to the back with my wrist and that causes that quiet but still noticeable slide and “click” of the spacer. I am unsure if this is just my unit, so could any of you also try to slide your touchpad spacers to the front and back while they’re locked in to see if they make a clicking sound or even if they move for you. If that’s not the case I might have to contact support.
There’s also the issue of how the spacers look, as they’re not perfectly level (and I honestly don’t expect them to ever be perfect since that would require extremely fine tolerances). But I wanted to just inform people that may find that a deal breaker. For example my left spacer is basically flush at the top, but the lower you go, the more it “warps” up and becomes higher than the touchpad module (it is probably like 0.1mm, but it is noticeable with the eye when looking at it from the side). The right spacer on the other hand is basically flush.
I also seem to have a similar, but worse issue with black spacers I got in case I did not want to use the numpad. One of them bends upwards in the middle as if it’s too long for the slot, so it’s pushed up in the middle creating a kind of arc.
Overall I’m satisfied with the device. It fits in my Räven 28 backpack so its ready to go when uni classes resume in a bit over a month again. None of the things that reviewers said are an issue to me. The display flex is there, but I never open my laptop from the sides so I do not see it as an issue. Keyboard flex also doesn’t bother me one bit, although I will definitely request the rubber pads to “fix” it just to check out how it feels with them when they’re available. The fans also do not feel loud, but that may be due to me running a unit with no dGPU module. The speakers don’t sound any special, I would say they’re okay when you do not have any headphones or external speakers, but I also have nothing but studio monitors to compare them to and I’m no audiophile.
All I’m waiting on now is for someone to make an OCuLink expansion bay PCB so that I can get rid of most of my PC with its Ryzen 3600, but still use the 4070 from it with an external GPU enclosure when I’m at home and feel like playing games. Only issue even if that PCB was available, is that there is still no way to buy the interposer connector, so I’m out of luck until the marketplace opens for orders.
I’m definitely keeping my device, but I would love to see a big centered touchpad module with no spacers.
EDIT: Forgot to add this, but ALT codes sadly do not work on the numpad as it seems to be a windows limitation that does not allow them between multiple devices. I have just used the VIA tool on framework’s website to modify the enter key on the numpad to a LAlt key which I use for ALT codes.
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On another note… Did anyone try AMFM gaming on the '16?
I keep checking this thread for actual user reviews…
Isn’t there a thread about keyboard configuration already?
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Hello there !
I’ve just received my DIY edition without dGPU.
I’ve installed Windows 11 and when I was working at night I was a bit annoyed by the lowest level of brightness. It’s still to bright to my taste.
I’ve read that some people have succeed change some software parameters on their linux to mimic a lower brightness but I wasn’t able to even got the same result.
The screen is may be too gamma-ish for my taste .
Thanks for reading me.
Renaud from France.
Do you use redshift or something similar? It can drastically change the appearance of brightness by shifting the white point for night/low light use, and is something I always use. Please try it and tell of your experience.
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I haven’t seen any reviews talk about it nor can I find anything in documentation, but I’m wondering what the purpose of the white plastic line at the top edge of the lid is for? The closer edge that you would touch when opening the lid. It seems like it could be a light underneath but I haven’t seen it ever light up. The Dbrand skins have a cut out around it
It’s for the antenna
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Night light is built into Windows. Try that.
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I got the Ryzen 9 with the GPU.
So far I am really happy with mine. The device looks great and feels great. I love the giant screen and it is bright enough for me. Keyboard feels fine, maybe a little mushier than the Framework 13 but it’s still miles better than your average keyboard. I’m sure the kinks with the alignment of the I/O pieces will get fixed with a v2 or v3.
So far on Ubuntu 22 everything works pretty well from a productivity perspective however I was not able to launch Steam successfully. I havn’t really played much with that or tried ubuntu 23 (24 soon).
I was a bit disappointed that ChromeOS Flex didn’t work properly though.
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Hello again! Sorry I have been quiet for some time but it has been quite a busy few weeks but the good thing is that I got to spend many hours every day using this laptop and I would like to make a short list of things I would like to see framework improve in the future/some 3rd party solutions:
- as many have stated before, either improving the fit of the trackpad spacers or creating a single solid trackpad module. I am personally not bothered much by the trackpad spacers but have not on some occasions, it seems like the top of the spacers seems to “lift” for some reason.
- as I had stated in my original post, there is a bit of screen flex but it is very minimal. My issue is that because I was looking for it at the beginning, I cant seem to stop noticing it anymore lol. Im not sure about the manufacturing limitations or cost but having the screen lid be made the same way as the chassis would seem to fix this issue.
- I currently only have a US English keyboard but plan on buying the macropad sometime in the future. I would love for mt to be able to move the keyboard/trackpad without needing to line them up (I don’t think the fit of the spacers would be very comfortable to use if the are both next to each other)
- With the heavy workloads I have been throwing at it, the expansion bay shell fans have been kicking into high gear quite frequently and I must say they can get pretty loud (nothing out of the ordinary but definitely awkward in public places lol). It’s important to note tho I do use the Universal x86 Tuning Utility on performance/extreme performance so that definitely contributes to it. I will say tho the amount of air it moves is absolutely insane! I can put my hand a good 6 inches away from the side and still feel the air being exhausted. It manages to keep temps down extremely well even under very heavy workloads that push the system to its limits.
Now some notes:
- I am really excited to see people have already begun creating a lot of really cool modules! I saw someone created the oculink as well as a dual m.2 expansion bay and someone is working on an extra battery module! I cant wait to see what else people come up with!
- I am absolutely loving this diso
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Brother, are you well? Did you faint on the Enter key mid-sentence? 
Jokes aside, thank you for your impressions, can’t wait to have mine!
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lmao I think I accidentally selected/deleted the last part but I was just talking about the display and how nice it is/echo the request of many for a touch screen.
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Have you tried it with external monitors yet?
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Just got my batch 1 DIY laptop today!
I have to say, generally I’m really happy. The whole setup experience was straightforward, no complaints here. Everything went together as expected.
Setting up Windows was also straightforward - I’m very grateful for the driver package Framework provided. My experience with doing setup for desktop PCs has left me with a preconceived notion for how annoying that can be. Glad Framework put the effort in to streamline that process!
The fit/finish on the touchpad spacers leaves quite a lot to be desired, as others have pointed out.
Genuinely disappointing, to be honest. I see the hard engineering work that’s gone into this unique solution, and I appreciate it. The spacers are just not quite as polished as I was expecting.
I have my fingers crossed for a solution. I’d happily shell out for a wider module!
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External Display over the GPU USB C Port works grate.
100Hz 3440 x 1440p
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