[RESPONDED] Framework 13: Things that Surprised Me

[Nils]

@cmart

The left and right arrow keys could become shorty short, like the up and down arrow keys already are. This would make room for page up/down above the left and right arrows. The resulting layout would be like a Thinkpad, just a bit smushed. (Some Dell XPS laptops already do this.)

I’ve experienced that change-over on the Dell XPS. I thought I would like it. I ended up not liking it, because the half width keys too easily lead to erroneous key presses for me. I now prefer the “fn+UP/DOWN” arrangement, but some way of finding a way to fit a full size UP/DOWN/PGUP/PGDN would definitely have my interest.

[Shiroudan]

Great read, I’m incredibly intrigued by the battery voltage. Seems interesting.

[MJ1]

@cmart

It seems that the battery is expected to handle 4.45 volts per cell.

Voltages above 4.2 have become common. Big name cell manufacturers like LG, Sony, Samsung create different cells intended to be charged to various levels over 4.2v. Many devices now use such high voltage li-ions, known as LiHV. If you have a mid to high range mobile phone, decent chance it uses a higher voltage cell.

~edit~
Just checked my backup phone, it charges to 4.4v, and it’s just an entry-level device.

[Azure]

@cmart

Framework’s 3.5mm audio jack. It’s the only non-USB-C port built into the laptop, soldered to the main board.

Actually, the 3.5mm Jack is on it’s own daughter board that is connected to the mainboard with a ribbon cable, so it also is much cheaper to replace if something goes wrong!

Audio Board Kit

[cmart]

Thank you for the corrections @Kyle_Reis, @Nils, and @Azure! Not sure how I missed the details in the battery announcement.

[nrp]

@cmart

But it’s still an issue, which means I generally don’t want the power-consuming cards connected to my laptop all the time.

Note that if you’re on Framework Laptop 13 (13th Gen Intel Core), this should no longer be the case. If it is, we certainly want to know.

[Rei]

@cmart, thanks for the nice review

Are you using Debian on the 13? Did you try Ubuntu or Fedora or Pop! ?

[cmart]

@nrp

Note that if you’re on Framework Laptop 13 (13th Gen Intel Core), this should no longer be the case.

This is exciting – which expansion cards consume less power with the 13th gen Intel main board? Wish I’d known that when I ordered

@Rei

Are you using Debian on the 13? Did you try Ubuntu or Fedora or Pop! ?

Yes, Debian 12. I don’t need to try other distros now, but Ubuntu and Fedora are supported, I expect they both work fine. No idea about Pop!, but it sounds like a fork of Ubuntu, so it’s probably fine too?

[Matt_Hartley]

@cmart

And Framework semi-quietly agree. You won’t see it on the product pages, but in the guide for optimizing Ubuntu battery life:

“One of the absolutely simplest things you can do right now to conserve battery power for your Framework is to simply remove unused expansion cards.”

“The best recommendation is to keep only expansion cards you need while on battery.”

So we’re supposed to keep the slots empty? Ugh, no. If you do, you expose sharp edges and corners. They catch on your hand when you pick up the laptop. Also, it looks like it’s missing teeth. This does not spark joy.

Appreciate the feedback and we have updated the TLP battery optimization guides to reflect the differences between 13th Gen Intel Core and 11th/12th Gen Intel Core.

[Usernames]

@nrp

Note that if you’re on Framework Laptop 13 (13th Gen Intel Core), this should no longer be the case. If it is, we certainly want to know.

This is great news I surprisingly haven’t seen announced or talked about and I think many would like to know more (especially before purchase!) such as is this going to apply to the AMD boards (clearly not ATM or you would have said but in the future), what about the 11th and 12th gens will they be able to see the same fixes?

[Jonathan_Haas]

The problem (as far as I know) is also fixed with the current AMD board. Note that the AMD board is a later development than the 13th gen Intel boards and thus should have got all the same bugfixes (and some more). It will also get the new energy saving revisions of the expansion cards.

Of course there might be new bugs, considering it is the first revision of an AMD board.

[Kelly_Wu]

@Jonathan_Haas

The problem (as far as I know) is also fixed with the current AMD board.

Not quite

[Nathan_T_Alexander]

Couldn’t someone solve the empty expansion card problem by 3d printing a blank expansion card? And/Or frame.work could sell blank expansion cards in the marketplace.

[Matt_Hartley]

@Nathan_T_Alexander

Couldn’t someone solve the empty expansion card problem by 3d printing a blank expansion card? And/Or frame.work could sell blank expansion cards in the marketplace.

To be fair, I’m McLovin this approach.

[MJ1]

@Kelly_Wu

Not quite

image

Linking to the source of that would help.

[jhoff80]

@MJ1

Linking to the source of that would help.

It’s from a Framework email to all AMD preorders.

[Kelly_Wu]

@MJ1

Linking to the source of that would help.

It’s from an email to all FWL 13 AMD batch 1 customers. I can’t really link to the source.

[Richard_Tango-Lowy]

@cmart

So we’re supposed to keep the slots empty? Ugh, no. If you do, you expose sharp edges and corners. They catch on your hand when you pick up the laptop. Also, it looks like it’s missing teeth. This does not spark joy.

I keep a USB-C on each side, along with one Snack Drawer and a screwdriver expansion port, so I can mess with my laptop during my frequent traveling. (Okay, sometimes it’s just to show off).

Nice review, btw. I replaced my Thinkpad with an 11th gen batch 5. Thinkpads are well-made and robust, with top-notch customer support. But I prefer the FW. The ability to self repair and upgrade keeps getting more and more valuable. I just ordered an AMD upgrade kit, and will convert my old mainboard into a work computer using the Cooler Master case. I already upgraded my hinges (they were defective) and added the CNC cover.

I definitely prefer the Framework’s display aspect ratio, but I tend to work with one document at a time and like to see as much as possible. I’ve had no problems with GNOME’s handling of font scaling.

Like you, I expected to miss the trackpoint more than I actually did. FW’s touchpad is responsive and easy to use. I go with tap-to-click.

[knewman]

Really appreciate this semi-review. It’s probably the most informative thing I’ve read about the Framework 13. Excited to get my AMD in hand.

This will be my first laptop purchase in ~15 years. I decided to pull the trigger because I was fed-up with the MS Surface laptops I get thru my job, and I really want to support Framework’s vision. Hoping I’ll be able to recommend Framework when people ask me what laptop they should get.

[batinste]

@cmart

201 PPI display is fine with GNOME font scaling alone.

I just wanted to show my gratitude for the OP. This review led me to revise my dpi and scale settings and adopt 100% / 1.25.