[idea?] Chromebook Formfactor Framework?

General Topics
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So Im new here but I have been using a Dell Chromebook 11 3180/3189 (Kefka) 2in1 model, with EndeavorOS (arch based), and have been loving the smaller formfactor of it over other laptops, my main wish was that it had 8gb ram instead of 4gb

I was wondering if there was any interest from framework and the community for such a smaller form factor device?

Would serve as a cheaper entrypoint into framework laptops, with a bit lower spec (not as powerful as a fw13 or 16, but could still play vanilla java minecraft at more than 30fps for example), while still maintaining the modularity, even if reduced due to the size constraints, (two modules instead of 4) to help lower the cost down,

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Merith_TK,

I don’t know if you have been around long enough to know that FW used to sell a Chromebook model. They pulled it a few weeks ago I believe. That leaves the current smallest model as the FrameWork 13 laptop. I don’t know the full reason why it was pulled. I speculated that Chrome Flex may have cut into dedicated Chromebook sales. However Flex has it’s limitations over a full Chromebook model by missing the Play Store and/or Linux app abilities.

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what was the model called?
The idea was less as a “chromebook” but more of a “chromebook formfactor” design and shape,

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The Framework Chromebook model was just a 12th gen Framework 13 running chromeOS with I believe a coreboot bios. Unfortunately Framework is still yet to make a smaller Framework.

I believe there are some diy projects based on the Framework mainboard with a smaller footprint.

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Elliot_Lu,

Thanx for the details on this model. I hadn’t looked at it closely as I already have five Chromebooks at home and didn’t need “YACB” (Yet Another Chrome Book, cousin to YAML). :smiley:

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Are you thinking about something smaller than Framework Laptop 13 then? :eyes:

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Yeah, a 13in laptop is for me, personally a bit bigger than I would like for a “laptop”
It reaches the size point where it stops being a “laptop” and more a “portable desktop”,

For me a laptop should not be something that “requires” dedicated desk space for, it should be something I can pull out in the back of an uber and handle a few emails, or set on one of those terrible trays on an airplane and watch a movie,

For me, the kefka (using the device codename for ease) is perfectly sized for what I consider a good “laptop”, its an 11in display can easily be balanced on one thigh (actively doing so as I type this) with all keys in close range for accessibility in tight spaces, despite its honestly pretty bad specs, (4gb ram, Celeron N3060 dual core, 2.48Ghz)

For me a laptop does not need to be capable of doing everything and your router (tech-inuendo implied), so a small formfactor framework that sits at about 11 inches (10 at the low end) with mid tier specs by default (user upgradable of course) would be a perfect framework for me,

An example of what I mean by smaller formfactor is good for on-the-go use are these two pictures
the first picture is my on-the-go bag, my in-city carry on basically, it can carry my chromebook, its charger, my steamdeck, its charger, and a portable charger, everything I could need on the go when using city transit or waiting at events.

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The second image is the bag I have to use to transport my Acer Nitro 5, not even including its charger and cooling stand I am forced to use it with due to its bad thermals (in the picture you can see the chromebook and its size comparison)

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The backpack that can carry the larger sized “laptop” (portable desktop), with just the laptop is almost as thick as the smaller bag when its fully loaded with everything I need to carry (listed above)

Note this message has gone through five rewrites to convey what I was thinking, the sixth including images for reference. And yes that chromebook is a refurbished chromebook

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as a side note, I do enjoy the chromebook keyboard layout on this form factor, but I use a custom keyd config to remap the keys around, I can get the config if you like but it might be a bit off topic

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One issue I do see with the 11 inch form factor is the difficulty of putting in cooling as well as the upgradable so-dimm slots. If Framework were using LPCAMM2, this would be much easier to accomplish.

The thing with most Chromebooks is that they all have soldered memory and use very low power processors which can remove the need for active cooling entirely (this is why they can advertise their ruggedness and spill proof keyboards).

This would be an interesting product to see though. I think a Microsoft Surface style tablet laptop would be a nice addition especially with the upgradeability. While Microsoft has gone a long way in the upgradeability of their Surface series, it would be nice to have an option for more ram down the line.

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Hence why it would sacrifice some functionality such as two of the expansion cards. Looking a teardown it looks like it should be possible to keep the same mainboards as current and remove the left hand side expansion cards (perhaps leave the type-c connections exposed as generic type c ports?)

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We all want to believe that it’s somewhere in the pipeline given the new AMD CPUs

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