I disagree with this, to a point. I think a memory card reader is still very relevant. When I’m dealing with a project involving multiple cards for multiple cameras and an audio recorder, it’s far more convenient for me to just grab all the cards from the various cameras/devices, and use a memory card reader in my computer to transfer everything, rather than setting up every device on the desk and connecting each one of them to use as its own reader. I’m not saying everyone has to agree or want a memory card reader. Everyone has different use cases and needs. But I did want an SD card reader module. And I believe it’s something the community asked for. I had a notice set up for when they were released and bought two as soon as they were available.
While I agree that’s a fine goal, you have to remember that this is a relatively small startup company. I understand they have been around for a few years, but it takes time to build up a solid income stream that can be funneled back into R&D of new products. Dell, Lenovo, and Apple are multi-billion dollar companies that have been around for decades (Apple is worth nearly 4 trillion dollars!).
I’m sure Framework has big aspirations and lots of innovative product ideas. But designing, engineering, prototyping, testing, and mass producing products for sale in multiple countries is a massive undertaking. It isn’t something a three year old company with something like 50 employees (last I heard) is going to be able to do on a scale surpassing a company with 70,000-160,000 employees (Lenovo, Dell, and Apple have these kinds of numbers of employees). Especially when they are trying to do everything in a sustainable, repairable way.
I use a Mini PC with a J4125 for my Home Assistant install. I don’t need much processing power and this idling at 2w draw is perfect. I’d like to see a modular system that could replace this with something more reputable.
I totally agree here with the Tablet and flat powerbank ideas. A kit to re-use old Switch components and various other parts into a Framework-based handheld would be rad as well.
Repairable upgradable mobile phone or printer. Printers are the worst and would be easier in my opinion. But phones are a way bigger market. The android market is a big market and there is not many great oems and certainly not great self repair options. The pixel line actually has improved a lot on that from but still not at framework level. It would be great to see something simlar to pixel 8a with frameworks spin on it. Could offer different android flavors like you do now on laptop. Straight google, maybe a microsoft wants a favor, and my personal favorite graphene os. You would have to meet their security guidelines but that would really set framephones apart from the competition. Check out graphene and try and partner with them.
frame.work phone with grapheneOS would be a dream!
I really dont’t like that using grapheneOS only works with a google phone, where you need an hour to melt all the glue to change the batterie and then replace the glue.
I would also take iodeOS or a similar degoogled android, but securitywise they are way behind grapheneOS (and behind google-android, if you dont’t count google taking your data).
For my use case, what I find lacking is a tablet. I’m using a surface go 2 for portability when I’m away from my desk, and I find myself wishing there was a framework tablet option. It seems like a tablet or 2-in-1 would be the next most logical step for framework to take while considering existing infrastructure.
The touch screen could carry over to the FW13 also.
Sounds like you want a more repairable version of the Surface Pro 11 (2 in 1).
which is what i want.
id probably run Windows11 on it instead of Nobara though as i need some apps that just havnt ran (well) via wine so far.
Yes, that’s right! I want a repairable (and Linux friendly) version of Surface devices (2 in 1). The Surface Pro 11 with 13 inch looks nice. For the display size, I would prefer Surface Go 4’s 10.5 inch.
They briefly offered a clear display bezel, but they dropped it as an option. From what I understand, they stopped making it because the yields from the molding process were too low.
Several people have rightly mentioned printers.
If not mentioned already, I would like to add “a scanner.” Preferably a gravity-fed duplex scanner like the good ol’ Canon DR-C125W that I had until they gave up on macOS driver support. (At the time, I had a Windows PC and a Macbook; now that I use LINUX the scanner selection is almost nil.)
Scanners are roughly in the same market conundrum as printers where they are basically disposable garbage with awful drivers, poor scanning software, and cash-grab-upselling bundled software. They focus on adding whiz-bang features that can be touted in the marketing material but not basic functionality like reliable paper feeding and readily-available replacement parts.
Often, a perfectly working scanner will be left behind as the OS advances and the scanner maker doesn’t bother upgrading the drivers. If the scanner maker had simply left the firmware and drivers fully open-source, volunteers could keep the old-but–still-working scanners going.
I have been trying to avoid wireless headphones, because I know they are basically disposable. Unfortunately, I do have some, because I cannot deny the convenience. But I would love to see a pair of simple, on or around ear, wireless headphones with easily replaceable parts. Battery at least.
My wants for a pair of headphones are probably different from that of many others. I don’t listen to music all that often, and when I do, I’m fine plugging a pair of wired headphones into a DAC/Amp on my desk. But when I’m doing things around the house/yard/garage, I like to listen to podcasts, audiobooks, etc. So I don’t need “audiophile” audio quality, just “good enough.” And I prefer open back because it allows me to hear other things (a knock at the door, the buzzer on the washer, someone calling for me, etc., etc.).
So a pair of simple, open back (or just on ear with foam ear pads that don’t seal super tight), wireless headphones where you could pop a cover off and replace the battery would be great. If I could also swap a driver or the circuit board, or the wiring from one ear cup to the other if those parts failed, all the better.
Edit: If Framework released something like I described above, I’d buy a pair right away. Probably two, if they weren’t terribly expensive.
This is a difficult question for me to answer. You asked for suggestions beyond laptops, but how far can I stretch the definition of “consumer electronics”? About everything has an electronic component or nature to it these days. So, please forgive me if I really reach and suggest some crazy ideas. It is just me dreaming and wishing for a better world.
Nonetheless, here are the things that have some electronic component to them that I seem to be unnecessarily having to buy new then throw away the old, which is really mostly useable.
Cell phone
External keyboard (would love a Framework version of the UHK modular keyboard)
Printer/scanner
NAS to use all of the old hard drives I have in a box from every time I ever had to buy a new laptop. BTW, is there anything we can do with old RAM?
Cooler-master printed case for Framework laptop screens
Tablet device, but I think the Framework 12 might be fine for this purpose
WWAN module
Docking station that uses our Framework modules
Home projector
This is where I start stretching the definition of consumer electronics.
Office chair with heating/massaging (as an IT consultant, some part of my chair gives out each year, but the rest of the chair is fine)
Washing machine
Clothes dryer
Microwave range/hood
Blender
Light bulbs (the LEDs may last forever, but not the other electronics)
Man, if you could launch a separate Framework startup that made something like washing machines and dryers, it might really shake-up other “industries”. It might get those manufacturers to move towards creating truly repairable and upgradeable products. This would eliminate the need for Framework to take over the world.
While I am dreaming, since some of these ideas might be beyond my neighbor’s capabilities, I think you will also need to establish a program to create certified Framework product assemblers and repair persons.
I’ve seen people mention docks a few times and I think that would be pretty awesome! Especially if it’s using the Framework modules! I’d also like to expand that idea to eGPUs since many eGPUs also have a lot of the same functionality. Better yet I think if Framework should design a modular dock that not only uses the modules but could also be expanded to add an eGPU. You could have two eGPU expansions: one that provides your typical PCIe x16 for a desktop GPU (and PSU or mounting bracket for PSU) and a second that would be able to dock the current RX 7700S (or future Framework GPUs). This way you can buy a dock and then expand it if you need to add a GPU. This also allows for a dedicated GPU if you only need it when docked and would provide usability for the RX 7700S outside of the FW16. I’d also like for there to be an option for SSD storage or OCuLink. I know some people would preferer OCuLink over USB/TB so allowing people to select what works best for them would be a great idea.
