Some questions about configuring a Framework 13

Framework Laptop 13
1

Hello,

I’ve been looking for a new laptop to replace my 2017 Dell XPS 13. I’m a big fan of my Dell, but not the new ones because they got rid of all the IO, and for some stupid reason decided to replace the F-keys with touch buttons.

So I’m looking at the framework 13 with AMD. It is right now my top choice. But I got a few questions

  • As much as I would like to configure my laptop to have the best of everything, I am concerned about battery life. How much of an impact will it get if I go for Ryzen AI 9 vs 7, or 4TB vs 2TB SSD, or 32GB vs 16GB RAM? Heat and fan noise might also be a problem for me.
  • I’m interested in the 2.8K 120Hz display, but I do want to run Linux on this thing. How bad will the rounded corners work on Linux?
    • why the heck does it even have rounded corners
  • Is it a bad time to buy a new laptop? Should I wait for new chips from AMD?

I’d like to go for AMD because of a few things

  • They tend to have better integrated graphics than Intel
  • I’d like to run local LLMs and other local AI stuff, so I think these chips would run better
  • For a while, their chips were more efficient than Intel, not sure if that’s still the case…

Given the above, should I go for the AI series or the 7040 series? Is my information about AMD outdated? Things change so fast in the tech space, and I can’t keep up with all the benchmarks.

I’m planning to run Linux on it. I do know that it runs Linux very well, but I got a few concerns:

  • How well does sleep (by closing the lid) work on the framework on Linux? If it doesn’t work absolutely perfectly, it’s a dealbreaker for me.
  • In general, any other issues on Linux that I should be concerned about? e.g. fingerprint sensor, USB4/Thunderbolt, etc.?

I tend to be very picky when it comes to buying electronics, I want to make sure that I get the thing that fits me the best, with as little compromise as possible, because I don’t want to get another one for another decade.

3

FYI

Dell XPS laptops have brought back the function row buttons on the XPS 14 and 16 I’m pretty sure.

4

I didn’t see our friend say what country they’re in, though!
Framework doesn’t allow freight forwarding to most places.

But if you’re in the EU, in a country that FW doesn’t ship to directly, FW said you can freight forward.

For other countries, even talk of freight forwarding is banned & will get a thread locked.

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5

Even though RAM and SSD prices are much higher than they were half a year ago, they are likely to keep increasing in price for the next two to four years, so if you want a new computer, I’d buy it as soon as you can because it will only get more and more expensive. Every integrated circuit in a PC is going to get more expensive, including cpus, so every computer will get more and more expensive as long as AI companies are buying out most of the integrated circuit FAB production capacity. Framework is trying to keep the cost of their computers down as much as they can but they are going to have to raise prices as the price of the integrated circuits in them keep going up and up and up, so don’t delay. A 1 Terrabyte M.2 NVMe SSD that I looked at last Monday went from $106 to $175 in four days!

Get the Framework 13 DIY model. It’s easy to put together and you can save some money by doing that. With Framework computers if you are going to be using Linux, you don’t have to pay for a Windows license that you will never use and you can look for the best prices you can get for RAM and an SSD.

Even though a Framework isn’t the cheapest computer you can buy, if you’re planning to keep it for ten years, it will end up being the least expensive computer you’ve ever owned since it can be easily repaired and even upgraded. You might be able to get fifteen years out of it and the cost per year would be even less expensive.

Linux runs really well on Framework computers. Linux also runs very well on AMD cpus. I’ve always run Linux on AMD cpus and I’ve run Linux on hundreds of computers with AMD cpus, APUs, and gpus.

I’ve run Linux on four Framework 13s with the rounded corners on the screen and never notice them so they don’t bother me. If you look on the forum for the article about the introduction of the high resolution screen you will find a detailed explanation of why Framework is using a screen with the rounded corners. If you really think the rounded corners would bother you, you can always get the less expensive lower resolution screen but I would get the higher resolution one.

The ability to put the Framework to “sleep” by closing the top is largely dependent on the Linux kernel you’re using and which Linux distro you use. I don’t use that feature myself but even if it doesn’t work perfectly today (and from what I read, it doesn’t always work perfectly in Windows, either), it is being worked on and it will probably be improved with every new Linux kernel. Unlike some other operating systems, Linux usually gets better and better with new kernels.

Since Framework currently only ships to certain countries, you will either have to buy a used Framework from eBay or some other used computer seller or have a friend in a country that Framework does sell to buy one for you. I hope that Framework will eventually be able to sell into almost all countries but for a number of reasons they can’t do that today, so if you want one, you will have to buy a used one or have a friend buy one for you.

6

The IO is still pretty bad on those, so it’s still a deal-breaker. But that’s good to hear.

In particular, I need an HDMI port and at least one USB-A port. SD card would be a great addition too. My current Dell has 1 Thunderbolt/USBC, 2x USBA, and an SD card slot. I really wish I had an HDMI port as well, and I’m not compromising on that on my new laptop

Also, I was hoping they’d release a 13” model, it’s just the right size for me.

Yup, that’s why I’m considering getting one right now. My Dell actually stopped working and is under repairs… probably water damage. Figured it’s time for a new one.

That’s the plan. I always preferred building my own desktops, because I know exactly what it came with and how it’s set up in case I want to make any changes, and to do it on a laptop sounds right up my alley.

That’s good to hear. Apart from the resolution, I also want the screen for the 120Hz. A high refresh rate really makes a computer feel much nicer to use. So I think I’m willing to overlook the rounded corners if it’s not a bother.

This is true, but a requirement for buying a laptop for me is top-notch Linux support out of the box. I’m not willing to spend a lot of money on a new laptop for features that may or may not get supported in the future on Linux. In particular, it’s the fingerprint sensor and sleep support for me.

7

For countries outside of the EU, even talk of freight forwarding is banned & will get a thread locked.

9

A 2 TB Sandisk Extreme SSD I had looked at a few years ago retailed for roughly $200-ish. Now? $439.

Don’t wait.

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10

Because Framework didn’t pay for the tooling for the panel. They simply used a panel designed for a different laptop that physically fit.

Some have issues with sleep, some do not. The platforms that support traditional S3 appear to have less problems than platforms that only support S2Idle/S0/Modern Standby.

For the purposes of a Framework laptop, yes, AMD is superior in iGPU and efficiency. Lunar Lake and now Panther Lake give AMD a run for their money but are unavailable options for Framework at this time.

My understanding might be flawed but I do not believe there are significant generational improvements in the last few AMD generations.

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11

I assume by platforms supporting S3 sleep, you are referring to the AMD platform? I read once that Intel has discontinued it, but I don’t know about AMD. Can you clarify?

12

I never owned an AMD platform, my understanding is actually the reverse but I could easily be wrong. I think AMD platforms are less likely to support S3 sleep but as I said, I could be wrong. I think I saw on the forum somewhere that someone said their FW16 didn’t support S3. I’m sure someone will correct me if I’m wrong. You could also just message support with this question and they should be able to tell you.

13

FW16 does not support S3, AFAIK it can be enabled using smokeless but it does not work

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