Thatās a battered laptop! 
3 Likes
This happened to me around above the webcam, and I was able to glue it back with Gorilla Glue; itās holding up and worked pretty well.
Also a while before that, both top edges of my plastic bezel cracked (I wasnāt easy on them and sometimes caught myself pulling the corners as sort of a fidget toy, lol. Also took the bezel off a lot). I tried using the E6000 glue I had which didnāt work at all. I also tried to jankily plastic solder it which ended up terribly. Then I tried using the Gorilla Glue I had, and that worked well ā thatās how I discovered that that works, and a bonus is that the Gorilla Glue seemed to make those edges even sturdier. Though FYI thereās a bit of extra Gorilla Glue glue on top of the bezel that Iāve been meaning to sand off.
There are probably better options, but itās nice knowing I have a DIY solution in my pocket in case of further breakage.
(batch 1 11th gen)
1 Like
I am also seeing some damage to the bezel around that location, probably from opening the laptop. Though I never used anything other than my fingernails to do that, so it seems like Framework is not using a very sturdy material for the bezels.
Purchased my 11th gen in Sept '21, so pretty close to the OP. Iām terrible to my laptops and the Framework gets abused. Iāve dropped it at least 5 times(maybe less than 10), traveled much to hot & wet places (Guatemala, Puerto Rico, Belize, Grenada) as well as places with sidewalks to bang against (France, Japan). I opened it many times (replaced the hinges, replaced the power button I trashed while replacing the hinges, switched to the CNC cover, replaced the webcam module). I use it 4-6 hours daily.
The laptop is in surprisingly good condition. My keyboard is pristine, though Iām a chocolatier and frequently have to scrub chocolate from it. I donāt see any significant dents or dings. The bezel looks fine. Iām honestly not sure how itās managed to hold up so well.
My Shop laptop is a Thinkpad X1 Carbon, and I donāt really understand the hate. Sure, IBM-era TPs were built like tanks, but the Carbonās been solid for years. When I had an issue with the battery, their support team was top-notch. The machine is finally getting flaky, but it outlasted previous Dell and ASUS laptops by years. Nonetheless, I like my Framework and wonāt be going back. I have an AMD batch 6 coming and plan to replace the aging Carbon with my 11th gen motherboard in a Coolermaster case.
Life goes on.
8 Likes
My Shop laptop was a Thinkpad X1 Carbon. I retired it after years of solid service, and replaced it with a CoolerMaster FW 11th gen mainboard when I upgraded my laptop to AMD.
The laptop of Theseus has a 2.75 year update.
- 2021-08 - original laptop batch 2
- 2023-02 - replaced touchpad due to crack from drop
- 2023-02, 2023-09, 2023-10 - replaced power cable. The power cables really suck, so I bought a braided one that has broken yet.
- 2023-05 - replaced ram. The original 16GB stick had some bad bits.
- 2023-09 - replaced keyboard. The alt key stopped working and it was pretty worn.
- 2024-03 - replaced bezel
- 2024-03 - upgraded to matte screen
I guess the only original parts left are the case, the motherboard, battery, and the fingerprint reader.
There were tons of keyboard marks on the original screen. It didnāt need to be replaced as it was still functioning just fine. But the bezel, well, Iām really not sure what is up with the bezel. It seems to be peeling in very odd ways.
As a comparison, my 2013 or 2014 macbook air which had a much more rigid top cover also had keyboard marks. I think it is probably unavoidable given the way itās been used and packed. Iāve bought a microfiber cloth to put between the keyboard and screen and hopefully that will help.
This laptop has been likely dropped between 15-30 times by now. I think I managed to drop it three times in an hour last week while it was being balanced on a speaker with a short ethernet cord while trying to fix a router. In short, Iām not really worried about dropping it.
Shipping
I placed the order, was thinking of adding some more stuff, but they ended up putting it in for shipping within 3 hours of business opening (ordered on Friday night, and it was shipped noon on Monday).
I wasnāt going to pay for extra shipping, so I guess Framework will have to wait to get more money from me. @TheTwistgibber I do admire the quick shipping time, but maybe just a few hours slower next time. 
Total cost of ownership (TCO)
| Years | Laptop | TCO / year | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011-2016 | Macbook Air | $460 | Sold the first one after two years for $500 to buy the second one. Unfortunately, the last Macbook Air screen broke on a 3-foot drop and would cost $500+ to repair. So no more Macbook Air. |
| 2016-2021 | Used Thinkpad X200s and X230 | $300 | 2/4 X230ās still work and 2/3 X200 still work |
| 08-2021 to 04-2024 | Framework 13 (with screen upgrade) | $513 | 1878 Cdn ā $1410 USD @ 1.33 exchange |
| 08-2021 to 04-2024 | Framework 13 (only repairs) | $420 | 1538 Cdn ā $1155 USD @ 1.33 exchange |
Depending on how you look at it, the Framework 13 is a year or so away to having same longterm TCO of a used X230 after being repaired and upgraded, while being much, much nicer hardware. Although, some of the parts seem flimsy (power cord, bezel, keyboard), I doubt another modern laptop would have lasted 6-18 months.
Crossing fingers till the next update. 
2 Likes
Dude, Iām glad you are using the heck out of your Framework, but I really have to agree with this:
Do you know how much easier it would be for you to maintain a laptop if you treated it better? All this effort could be GREATLY minimized if you were just a little gentler with the thing. I mean, when I saw how your power cables frayed the way they did, Iām just thinking, how on earth did that happen? Are you playing tug of war with them or something?
I think as a case study, the laptop has fared really well given the harsh treatment it has apparently endured so far. Thank you for sharing!
Donāt mind me either, while there are certainly things you shouldnāt do with a laptop, there is no real right or wrong way to use one.
6 Likes
Jesus, thanks for stress testing the thing I guess.
5 Likes
HI 1165 2y 1m
Hardly dropped or banged around. It only travels for two days a month in a backpack with padding.
At home I use the provided cable in a permanent placed power source (12V) and for the last year have a braided cable for travelling.
Use 4 to 5 hours day, 6 hours the first year.
Work with soil, wash hand,s do not use finger nails to open. Open from designed bevel at front.
No problems yet so this post is a bit off topic 
2 Likes
I should probably make a blog post about this, it really is a case study. Anyway, the amusing thing is that Iām not really being harsh with itā¦Iām just not especially dainty either. Here are some photos to compare of other laptops that Iāve used for 2+ years.
2014 Macbook Air
-
Keyboard - As you can see the paint is worn straight off the mac keyboard after 2-3 years, but the Framework keyboard is completely wrecked after 6-9 months. I do think that the Framework keyboard was a one-off bad paint job though.
-
Screen - The Air top cover is much more solid, but still had small keyboard marks which are tough to see. The spacebar did make a mark that is visible but not easily noticeable. The Framework lid on earlier batches wasā¦bendy to say the least and the screen was definitely marked up.
-
The microphone quit working also which was a common problem with that model.
-
The left usb port is bent and unusable.
Thinkpad X230
The only damage the X230 sustained during its use is that the Thinkpad Logo somehow fell off the keyboard rest. I have an external thinkpad keyboard that is also immaculate. The thinkpad lids have no give to them at all, so the screen has zero marks.
Framework part durability
The keycaps on the replacement keyboard havenāt developed any issues yet.
The top cover got reinforced a year later, etc. so it definitely needed an upgrade.
But letās be honest, Framework 13 is certainly is not a tank like the X230.
It is very easily and cheaply repairable though and much nicer hardware.
Never had an issue with Thinkpad charging cables eitherā¦nor magsafe cables. When Iām out in very rural areas in villages, there are definitely no desks or sometimes even chairs. So you either work cross-legged or lying down. The framework cable simply could not sustain literally adjusting my position like 3-4 times / day which hardly even twisted the cable. However, it was 40 degrees with no AC for about two months, so Iām very happy at how the laptop fared.
So other than the drops and getting a padded bag, Iām really not sure how to be gentler.
I mean, do you wrap the laptop in a blanket and kiss it good night? 
So in my opinion:
- Durability: Thinkpad > Air > Framework
- Repairability: Framework > Thinkpad > Air
And even if the parts wear out a bit fast than the Thinkpad, Iād rather have the Framework because of the nicer screen, faster cpu, and better battery life.
It has survived 3-years of 10+ hour daily use, has spent 500+ days away from home, been dropped 15+ times, and operated in 40 C weather with no AC for weeks at a time.
So if it works for me, it will definitely be fine for everyone else.
6 Likes
We may have somewhat different definitions to what harsh means in this context but I do know a few powple with similar definitons XD.
On that part the frameworks has a major upside, replaceable ports that take the abuse so the mainboard doesnāt.
The x230 truly was a tank, I do wish the framework was that form factor with modern performance but the market just wants thin and light today.
My point about stress testing stands.
Now if only they finally released the case cad so someone can design a beefed up case for it XD
I think that your environment is probably more to blame here than the way you are using it, although I will add that I think I have dropped ALL of my laptops over the years less times than youāve dropped just this one.
I just try to take care of my laptops, but Iām not ridiculous about it. I mainly just donāt drop them and donāt put them in harsh situations. That is really it. I guess that is my secret.
1 Like
Maybe this should be FWs next project, a ruggedised laptop. Use proper double injection keycaps, latching lid, maybe even protective covers over the USB connections. They may find the Armed Forces come calling ā¦ there goes the first 25 batches before anyone else gets a look in ā¦
Just release the case cad and let the community make it.
Pretty sure they already are, but not having to be backlit makes durability a lot easier there.
Not enough proprietary special sauce XD
1 Like
I thought I was bad. My laptop gets lugged through rainforests, banged up in cities, dropped, and abused, but you definitely beat up your laptop.
I started with a FW 11th gen batch 5. Have since done the following:
- Replaced defective hinges (under warranty)
- Replaced the microphone/camera unit (microphone stopped working)
- Replaced the power button. (That one was on me. I messed up the wire while replacing the hinges)
- Upgraded to the CNC cover
- Upgraded to AMD 7840 (turned the 11th gen into a standalone machine with the CoolerMaster case).
Overall, Iām pretty much in line with @TJ1. My Thinkpad X1 Carbons have been much more durable. But the ability to upgrade and evolve the FW is hard to beat: with the AMD upgrade/CoolerMaster, my one FW has now replaced two X1 Carbons.
And the FW has been far more robust than my XPS13s.
5 Likes
Ha, I thought you had done more to yours than I did! Hmmmā¦since you upgraded to the CNC cover, I probably should do that, too.
I donāt think it would really take more than a couple of mm and some engineering around the corner areas to make it much closer to indestructible. It would also allow more battery life and even the thinkpad keyboard that half the lurkers have been waiting for.
Yes, perhaps the backlighting is the problem that causes the weardown. If this one wears out, then the next replacement Iāll get blank ansi. So this test will take about 5 more yearsā¦
I agree. The corners tend to take brunt of the (numerous) falls. Mine are still in good shape, but I put that down to luck more than anything else.
1 Like
My definition is ādroppage is a regular part of the life of my electronics. That isnāt harsh.ā Accidentally sitting or stepping on it might be a bit over the top.
Mineās definitely been banged up and rained on. My laptop bag isnāt cushionedāI have a cushioned sleeve, but then I have to worry about getting it in our out of the sleeve, and Iām basically lazy about that sort of activity.
Crumbs and ingredients on the keyboard are a thing. I do chocolate for a living, so thatās just part of the game. I usually flip the laptop over and gently tap it a few times, but occasionally the compressed air comes into play.
My FW is in surprisingly good condition. Keyboard is completely readable and everythingās working properly. I have Dbrand skins on to protect the beastāespecially the input cover. You wouldnāt be able to guess the amount of abuse it takes by looking at it.
3 Likes
You abuse it by looking at it ??? 
2 Likes
Are those costs just the sum of costs or have you applied some kind of discount rate (e.g. inflation or interest rates)?
How is the battery doing after almost 3 years?