I will never switch to MacBook because it’s from Apple.
I had noticed a long time ago that the delete key on my FW13 Intel 12th Gen was not working. Earlier I had thought that it was just a problem with my configuration. However, recently I realized that it was actually a hardware problem and found a relevant post where users were encouraged to contact customer support if they were facing this problem.
I contacted the Framework customer support. There was a back and forth of emails for data gathering and at the end of the process, they agreed to replace my input cover even though my laptop was out of warranty. I bought this laptop in 2022, therefore, it is way past warranty.
If it were a MacBook, they have never been this forthcoming about such problems. Even if they had figured out a design flaw, they would have simply said “tough luck, out of warranty” and my options per the “genius bar” would have been to:
Replace the keyboard for an exorbitant amount or
Get the latest new MacBook
From my interactions with Framework so far, they really care about their users and as long as that’s true, I’m buying Framework.
We used a number of laptops over the years, from a Toshiba in the early 2000’s to a Lenovo Ideapad Yoga 11, Microsoft Surface, Chromebook(!), Macbook Air and HP x360 Spectre. All had their flaws, but the Macbook Air was particularly disappointing. It was the first version with the flawed screen hinge, which of course promptly broke after a few months’ use. Because it was a second hand item Apple would not fix it under warranty but charged a price not unlike what we paid for it in the first place. Then it developed a problem with the battery which blew out the case and made it unusable. Of all the laptops it was the biggest waste of money.
The Toshiba was (predictably) fine, robust and just aged out. The charge port on the Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 11 failed and replacement was surprisingly difficult. The Chromebook just had dumb flaws in its OS for no real reason, making it awkward to use, so we sold it. The Surface was OK, but the x360 Spectre remains for me one of the best laptops ever. Ergonomically it is almost perfect, battery is easy to change but the screen is complicated to replace.
We’ve now got two Framework 13s for the repairability. We’ll see how we get on!
The running joke with Apple is that they are now a battery company. I’m not here to poo-poo anyone who likes or wants a Macbook. I just think that computing is so much more than battery life. Apple deserves the praise they get for their product efficiency.
However, the world of computing has so plateaued that the drive to have the fastest anything is kind of a moot point.
As a result I think you give up far too much to benefit from the efficiency lead that Apple currently offers.
Framework means YOU own the product. One of the most impressive things about the Framework line is the attention they gave their battery management. I don’t know of any other laptop that will charge (albeit VERY slowly) from a 5v source. This is hugely impressive to me, because it is not just this. This shows the mindset of the team behind Framework computers. They care about their products and they want them to be good.
Being able to repair any component, knowing that they are intentionally striving to make components last, and the ability to upgrade when something truly better is available are just far more important to me than a few best of features in the closed garden of Apple.
I am going in the other direction, so far the only issues i have are opening encrypted notes isn’t supported through icloud on the browserv and not being able to use messaging. Otherwise i have no reason to go back.
I use a sostu external monitor with my laptop on the road powered and connected through USB-C and no issues on either windows or Fedora for multi monitors
FWIW - I’m about to migrate off a 16" M1 Max Macbook Pro. The Macbook does everything I need it to, but I can’t help like feeling like I need to baby it. Because of how locked down the hardware is, a simple mistake could cost over a thousand dollars to fix and the incompatibility with my home desktop means I rely on the Macbook for all my editing. I’ve got a very small youtube channel, so I edit videos mainly on my mobile device, and while the Framework 16 (overkill version) is slower than the Macbook by about 10%, the fact I can fix almost anything on it without it costing me an arm and a leg (or recover the data if a full failure happens) makes it worth the move for me. Also, I expect with future revisions, it will be faster than my macbook without needing to fork out another $2k for a new computer.
With that said - I pieced my FW16 together with a hodgepodge of parts from mysteryboxes and refurb deals on the marketplace, so it’ll effectively be free once I sell on the MB (and I still have another fully functional OP FW16 that needs a chassis I could also sell off). Might be influencing my decision since I didn’t pay full price.
This sounds similar to why, despite loving my Pixel Fold (when it first came out), I ended up trading it in for a used Pixel 6a which literally cost me less than the tax on the fold. Despite having the phone completely paid off and having the extended insurance plan that would cover damage, and not even being outside of the warranty period, the pressure to baby the device made it feel like it owned me more than I owned it. I miss the big screen sure, but I like a peaceful mind more.
I did the same thing with my OnePlus fold. Used it for two days, almost dropped it once, then sold it. Now I’ve got a Pixel 8 pro I bought with a broken screen and repaired, all for 1/4 the price of the folding phone.
I kind of had that with my fw13, coming from my t480s that I got semi broken and put through some pretty extreme abuse (flashing coreboot, knocking components of the board, fixing the components, ripping traces, fixing the traces, plugging in an oled display with incompatible pinout and blowing stuff up, fixing the blown up stuff…) to a pristine new laptop felt a bit weird.
Then I got over it and started abusing (liquid metal, flashing modified ec code, setting the power limit to 75W…) the framework even if slightly less extremely XD
There certainly is a hell of a charm to having stuff that is both already kinda messed up and durable so you don’t feel bad if you add another scratch.
I have a T470 that I’ll say I’m quite comfortable with. If I want to go to the cafe with it, I’ll just grab the laptop and huck it into the car, but the framework goes into its foam padded TimBuk2 case. I get it.
I do agree with the sentiment to baby a laptop that cost me $3G. I’m too rough to have a FW13 - I have two, one I’m not touching because it will be a graduation gift. The other hasn’t fared so well. But the FW16 - it is more robust. I’m regretting selling it.
