Welcome! Please introduce yourself - 2nd edition

General Topics
793

Ok, but I probably should have asked if there was any specific distros like Ubuntu (Or another particular one I’ve been eyeing has been Bazzite. I’ve also been thinking about compiling my own distro with the apps I’m gonna need such as Steam, Discord etc.) that people would recommend for casual use? (That’s on me for not making it clearer whoops)

(I’m also not gonna be considering Omarchy as well after what’s been happening this past week so just please keep that in mind when recommending me a potential distro)

Thanks

Oney

794

Hi, I’m Chris. I’ve dabbled in Linux stuff since early 2000s but made the switch from Windows about a year ago. Currently running Fedora on all my devices. I’ve been following Framework from a distance over the last couple of years but finally pulled the trigger on the new FW16. I work as an engineer in a large multinational organisation. Unfortunately, at my current role I use a company issued laptop and do not have any input in the company’s choice.

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795

If this is your first Linux experience ever, I would genuinely recommend Fedora or Ubuntu. Both work great for gaming and general tasks, though Fedora is a little nicer of a player in the OSS community (Ubuntu has minor controversies with snaps, though I personally prefer it as it is built on Debian). Both are easy to install, come with batteries included, and play well with helping you set up a dual boot with an existing Windows installation.

If you want to “compile” your own Distro, I cannot recommend NixOS enough. Takes a little to set up, but moving/switching systems is easy (you carry your dotfiles and the system sets it up exactly how you want it to).

Another consideration to put is what Desktop Environment you want. KDE Plasma is very configurable but mimics Windows OOTB. GNOME is my personal favorite as it gets out of the way, but is very opinionated (if you like the GNOME workflow you’ll love it, otherwise not so much).

Omarchy is merely some Arch dotfiles masquerading as a Linux Distro. You can independently set up such a system, you’ll just need to sink in the time to config it. NixOS, personally, is a much better base to do this.

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796

Same here except I work with CUDA stuff and we need workstations with Nvidia GPUs

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797

Hello everyone.

I’m a Technical Support Advisor for a large company (please don’t randomly ask me for any tech support though), and I first heard about Framework back in 2022 although I’m not sure how I first heard about it, probably from Mastodon or LTT.

Since then, I’ve been thinking about getting myself a Framework laptop, simply because I like the idea behind being able to easily assemble, repair, and upgrade the things I own without having to buy new things all the time.

Funnily enough, I also became interested in sustainability and the right to repair in the same year I first heard about Framework, so I guess that’s something.

After doing an extensive hardware check on my current laptop (a 2017 HP laptop) the other day and noticing that it failed (not to mention that although that laptop is somewhat upgradable, most of the compatible parts for that laptop are basically EOL, plus I don’t want to risk getting a random replacement battery that might make things worse), I realise that I’m pretty much in the market for a new laptop, since I’m not exactly a fan of only being able to use my laptop when it’s plugged in, having to deal with ridiculously long boot times of about 5 minutes, and having a clunky laptop that sounds like it’s about to take off, even if I use Linux on it.

The main reason why I’m thinking about getting a Framework laptop is because I want to either become a Web Developer/Software Engineer or someone that works with Linux, and my plan is to teach myself about those things, mainly by working my way through The Odin Project.

The other reason is because I enjoy assembling LEGO sets and flatpack furniture, so getting a DIY Framework and assembling that would be an interesting challenge for me, as I have absolutely no experience in assembling electronics.

As for the laptop I’d get, I’m currently torn between getting either a DIY 12 inch Framework or getting the DIY 13 inch version, and my baseline specs would be 16GB RAM and 512GB storage.

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798

Hi and welcome! For your needs I’d probably recommend the 13. You’ll have more and better specced upgrade options as time goes by. As you’re considering a career switch you don’t know what kind of computing power you’d need down the line and I think the 13 would give you more futureproofing options.

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799

That sounds like a decent plan. I was originally thinking about getting the 12 mainly due to price and portability reasons, but from what I’ve heard, the 13 is good for web development due to its screen size and also its portability.

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800

I would probably second getting a 13 (since that just has better CPUs than the 12 which can only go up to an Intel i5) while the 13 has up to a AMD Ryzen 9

But at the end of the day it’s really up to you what you would want to get.

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801

Exactly this.

The main reason why I’ve been putting off buying a new laptop for so long is because any decent laptop with decent specs now will cost about £1k, which is basically a lot of money and almost a whole month’s wage for me.

As for my current laptop (which is practically dead/on its very last legs, but then again, I’ve had it for about 8 years), that’s also about 13inches, and I think that’s the right size for me.

The main reason why I was also considering the 12inch was because I like the idea of having a touchscreen for the off chance that I’d create an illustration on the go (fun fact, I did go to art school but switched careers into tech after I graduated because I rediscovered my strong interest in technology during my time at University and realised that it was objectively easier to get a job in tech than in one linked to my degree), but I know that’s never going to happen, plus I already have a graphics tablet that I can just plug into the laptop.

I think based on what others have said, I think going for the 13inch option seems like the better option for me, because ideally, I’d like to keep this laptop for at least 8 years, if not longer.

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802

I also think the longevity + me needing a Jack of all trades esque (Gaming, School, Video Editing etc.) is also the reason why I ended up going with a Framework as well (Though im getting a FW 16 in December, which im expecting to last at least a Decade, if not longer. Provided I end up Upgrading/Replacing Parts)

However, i was also considering getting a 13 (Again the CPUs only going up to an Intel i5 kinda killed the chance of me getting a 12 but heres hoping we see an AMD FW12 one day in the future :slight_smile: ) with it essentially being a beast. and plus my current laptop (Surface Laptop 4 13.5 Inch) essentially being the same size. but I ultimately went with a 16.

And i totally Do not blame you on the price ether (Again, my FW16 config came out to around $2,800 USD) That was another thing that was making me second guess whether or not FW was gonna be a good move.

But what ended up reassuring me is a Line from Andy (aka the Greatest technician thats ever lived /ref) from Salem Techsperts.

"I am supporting a company that is investing in Modular, Repairable, and Upgradeable products, Customizable Products” and “Your not buying the Framework Laptop, you are buying the IDEA that Framework stands behind the right to repair, Upgradeability and The enviornment” (The second quote honestly ended up reassuring me about my decision to get a 16 inch. even if im spending a lot on it)

edit: Forgot to Mention I was Getting the DIY Kit and not the pre-built

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803

Ah thank you for introducing me to Andy.

I just watched his Framework video, and I’m actually surprised at how straightforward it is to assemble everything, although I did feel a bit disappointed when he installed Windows instead of Linux.

Now I understand why Frameworks cost a lot, because I now know that I’m basically investing in a company that can potentially change an entire industry and make other companies rethink their own business practices instead of just buying a laptop.

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804

Yeah Andy and his crew are all hilarious while making really great computer repair videos.

And i also really hope framework does shoot up outside of computer enthusiasts (Like Me and You). This could change the computer industry if it does.

Anyways, heres hoping you end up pulling the trigger on the FW13 :smiley:

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805

Hi, I’m Pantelis, just finished installing omarchy on FW laptop 13 DIY, I have been watching the company for a while now and I’m happy to see the focus on right-to-repair / upgradability as well as Linux support.

I discovered omarchy due to Framework promoting it and I’m so glad that they did!

806

hello.
i am a proud owner of a used framework 13 with unknown mileage, i love using it whether it be for actually being productive in my life, or gaming. mayhaps in the future i will purchase a framework desktop for local llm ai!

the main thing that totally got me hooked on the framework concept is the battery, it may seem trivial but its the only thing i’ve consistently had issues with maintaining laptops, was sourcing batteries for laptops i’ve had previously. whether it being way too expensive to justify or having to buy off-brand knockoffs and hope that they aren’t so poor quality they explode. having framework sell official and reasonably priced battery packs for their laptops is one of the main reasons i went framework!

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807

Hi, I’m Niall. I do not own a Framework and I am still on the fence about it due to the recent controversies that I don’t want to get into here.

I really would like to take the jump into Linux after dabbling on and off for many years with Chromebook penguin terminals and desktop mode on my Steam Deck. I really do admire Framework’s dedication to replaceability and sustainability.

I’m probably not going to make a decision until next year anyway and will see how I feel when the time comes rather than make a knee-jerk decision right now.

808

An inexpensive, always-there Linux experience can be gained by pairing a Raspberry Pi with the KVM combo of your choice. Not quite try-before-buy but it would allow you to trial applications of interest and investigate the low-level components and architecture of a contemporary Linux platform.

If you have the time and enjoy tinkering it might scratch your itch until a Framework seems doable.

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809

Thanks! Funnily enough, I did set up a pi zero with a five inch monitor for a distraction-free writing device a couple of years back. I also used crouton on a chromebook about ten years ago to set up an Ubuntu partition. That’s why, after about five years of MacOS and getting annoyed with shift to AI from the mainstream OSs, I’m seriously thinking about a proper switch, but yeah, I’m happy to wait a bit longer.

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810

I heard about Framework via the hubbub surrounding Strix Halo madness. I have a ATX Windows pc that’s long in the tooth, but Win11 isn’t the direction I’m interested in. I thought about the Mac Studio to play with LLMs and do video and photo editing, but I’m not a fan of the MacOS either.

I have familiarity with Ubuntu via Nvidia’s Orin Nano and have a few Raspberry Pis. Finally decided that I could get a: not too big, not too small, just right experience with Strix Halo. Mulled on various vendors but Framework seemed the right fit for me. Just got the desktop today and hoping that I can make the switch to Tareyton, I mean Linux full time.

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811

Hi all! I’m an older guy getting ever nearer to retirement, and I found out about Framework via a YouTube video. I remember when you could actually repair and replace parts in your computer yourself, and I love that someone has decided to make that a reality again. I received my FW13 DIY kit last night, and the assembly process and installation of Ubuntu couldn’t have been smoother. I tried switching to Linux a couple of times 20-odd years ago, and basic usability issues kept driving me back to Windows and Mac, but if things continue to run this smoothly with the FW13 I look forward to finally completing the switch. Third time’s the charm!

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