For me it came down to a couple of factors 1) Key travel I was unable to verify it for the Starbook but I was able to verify it for the Framework 13. Coming from a T480s I wanted a good keyboard and the travel on the Framework pretty much matches that of a T480s, and based on using it for nine months now it was a good pick. Very similar feel. 2) 1920x1080 16:9 aspect ratio…if it had been a 16:10 it might have carried me over, but 3) Framework is completely modular the Starbook is not. I have never found a laptop to be completely unrepairable or to have difficulty getting parts, what I have never seen before is a guranteed upgrade path. I can run out right now and grab a new motherboard, drop it in and keep everything else. 4) While I like a black laptop…I hate anodized finishes, the process involved is not very environmentally friendly and the longterm wear on anodized finishes just is not where it would need to be. 5) Coreboot…yeah it almost pushed me the other way…but we may still get it in the Framework.
So yeah I think StarLabs have a great product but overall it was not that hard of a decision for me. The fact that they moved away from Clevo is something that should help them in the long run.