Latest user-repairable Framework laptop includes Core Ultra, 2.8K display Fans of repairable and upgradeable kit will be pleased to hear that the latest version of Framework Computer's 13in laptop sports Intel Core Ultra CPUs along with a hi-res display module and an improved webcam option. framework You could also pick up any of the new modules in the Framework Marketplace if you already have one …
Allegedly a repair shop can sign NDA to get full schematics that will allow them what you'd term an actual repair: https://knowledgebase.frame.work/en_us/availability-of-schematics-and-boardviews-BJMZ6EAu (or search for "availability of schematics" on their site - I suspect link will change over time).
AFAIK the mainboard also doesn't "fingerprint" components or modules so even if a specific board is not repairable or worth repairing, components from it can be salvaged for other repairs.
So yeah ... it's repairable as long as you have the kit to actually do repairs on surface-mounted devices of this level of integration. Not for faint of heart or in everyone's garage, but somebody down the street might just have what it takes and can obtain info and parts to do it right. Which is considerably better than what majority of other manufacturers do - recycle instead of refurbish.
Now ... how many will actually do this instead of rip and replace? That's whole another question and not one that Framework can really address. Having means to do it does not equate actually doing it.
The lack of component locking is fab. I have a AMD-13, and the wireless card is a bit pants with the WAPs in my house. So, I swapped it for an Intel wireless/Bluetooth card I picked up on eBay. Works a treat, I fixed my problem, device is happy with a card that I expect Framework never tested.
I've learned that I don't need the latest & greatest, so I try wherever possible to purchase from an e-waste\recycling center.
Last purchase from there was a tower PC, with i9 processor, 16Gb of memory (Which I had already planned to boost with another 64Gb & it was the only system with a single 16Gb stick) & motherboard. The motherboard itself is still available as enterprise grade & new would cost me as much as the system itself.
Dropped in 2 sticks of 32GB DDR4, 2TB M.2 SSD & a 8Gb 8K Graphics Card.
Prior to that an i7 HP Folio laptop for travelling.
The other advantage is if your motherboard does go bad, not only can you buy a replacement and fit it easier than your average laptop, you could instead buy an updated motherboard with a better CPU (such as the one's in the article) and fit it into your existing case.
While they are easier to repair than most laptops, it's the upgradability that's their real selling point.
I will purchase something like this when:
- 17" + 4K display becomes available.
I'm good w/ everything else.
Until that happens, nope.
I've been using 17"/4K displays on laptops for well over 12 years. First was Alienware, then Alienware (via Dell) and currently Dell (Precision) purchased a couple of years ago.
I've noticed 17"/4K option seems to come and go w/ Dell. Every couple of years the option disappears and then comes back for a few years. Dell currently seems to be in the "not available" cycle when I checked recently. So they don't get my money until / if it becomes available again.
As I age, I like the larger displays, don't care about size/weight. Has to be 4K, I dislike seeing the pixels on 1920x1080 displays.
Good luck to them.
Somehow your post doesn't make much sense. Beside that on a 17" Framework laptop, you could upgrade an existing one, if GPU and the display itself would become available as modules by them.
But in general, you claim you need a large monitor due to age, but then you still can see the pixels on a 1920x1080 display?
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