I mentioned in another thread i was considering, a Framework 13, and I’m mostly made up my mind on that. But I want to do due diligence and look at the 16 as well, since I really like it’s added modularity (and optional Linux keyboard with super key!)
Has anyone used it as a school laptop? I’ll be taking it to classes with me and using it in libraries and such for programming (CS major), and while I like it’s features, I’m worried it’d be a huge pain to lug around.
A major factor, though, is the ability to get on by August when I start classes, given that I’m unlikely to have the incoming money before July. I have no idea when the next shipment is likely to be, so if there’s no way to get it before, say, Q3, then it’s not an option no matter how much I like it.
I think all you really need to think about is how big of a laptop do you want to lug around? I personally think the 16 is huge, and is really a desktop replacement that you can take with you.
As the 13 can use eGPUs the need for the 16 from a processing standpoint seems rather specific. IE: if you have a workload to justify it great, go for it, but if you don’t, you most likely will never need it.
I didn’t realize the 13 was eGPU compatible. That was one of my points in favor of the 16. I wasn’t’ planning on buying it right away, but potentially later. Sounds like the 13 really is the best choice for me. Maybe I can put a sticker on the Windows logo.
Running linux I get around 8-16hrs of battery life on my FW 16. I don’t have a 13, but anecdotally I’ve heard it’s not the best battery performer. That info may be outdated, but I remember battery life being important when I was a student, so if it were me I’d do my research on it. Personally, I had no issues using a 15+" laptop for school (software engineering), but if you don’t want to carry that then it may not be for you. Plus the 13 can be had for significantly cheaper.
My vote would be to get a FW13. You are at school, and portability is paramount. It’s design is tested and well received. Get yourself the 61Wh battery or a portable battery that outputs USB PD. Get the 180w power adapter they sell too. You can not beat it for the performance/size.
It will be less expensive, you can do anything you are going to need to do.
Nobody gets extreme battery life without using cutting back on doing a lot of things they would normally do in the course of a day.
Unless you are going to a school that runs on solar/wind power in the middle of some territory you will always be near a source of power. Plugging in will always be available and 10 minutes with the 180w power adapter will do wonders to recharge a low battery.
That’s actually a really good idea. However, the charger takes about a month to ship, so no it sounds like it likely wouldn’t arrive with the computer.
The 16 has a bigger battery and the same AMD CPU as the 13, so without the GPU it should last longer than the 13. It also has a higher power charger, so it should charge faster as well.
The same family, yes, the same CPU, not quite. The 13 has the Ryzen 5/7 U-series CPUs while the 16 has the Ryzen 7/9 HS-series CPUs. U-series TDP is 15-30W and HS-series TDP is 35-54W.
